Conventional Treatments of Skin Issues
When a dog has allergies he also has skin problems. Licking, chewing, and scratching often damages the skin, which leads to bacterial skin infections. Because veterinarians frequently see dogs with this problem, they will usually use antibiotics to treat the infection until it is controlled.
Autoimmune skin problems occur when the dog's immune system reacts against the skin's cells. A few of these are general immune issues, while others affect only the skin. Pemphigus vulgaris is a severe form of pemphigus, which forms scabs and pustules on the head and feet and spreads over the body.
There is a downside to this method of treatment. Although the dog may improve, the cause of the problem is never really discovered. Later on the same skin problem returns and must be medicated again.
Conventional veterinarians might use steroids and antihistamines to treat skin problems. These stop the itching, but they don't address the cause and there are potentially damaging side effects with these drugs. These include increased appetite and weight gain, constant urination and increased thirst, and hyperactivity or depression. These drugs also compromise the immune system. Other possible side effects include diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, chronic infections, elevated liver enzymes, obesity, and osteoporosis.
