Treatment Overview

Your vet will choose treatments based on severity, cause, and your dog’s history. This overview explains common options in plain terms.

Anti-itch medications

Medication	How it works	Onset	Notes
Apoquel (oclacitinib)	JAK inhibitor	Hours	Tablets; often twice daily then once daily. Not for very young dogs or those with mite infections.
Cytopoint (lokivetmab)	IL-31 antibody injection	1–3 days	Given in clinic every 4–8 weeks. Few side effects. If used during a diet trial, the trial may need extending.
Prednisolone (steroids)	Anti-inflammatory	Hours	Effective but side effects (thirst, hunger, panting) if used long-term. Best for short flares.
Atopica (ciclosporin)	Immunosuppressant	4–6 weeks	Slower onset; used when other options fail.
Antihistamines	Block histamine	Variable	Sometimes used for mild cases or as add-on; success varies.

Infection control

• Bacterial skin infection (pyoderma) — Antibiotics for 3–4 weeks, continuing at least 7 days after lesions clear.
• Yeast (Malassezia) — Medicated shampoos, sprays, or oral antifungals for 2–3 weeks.
• Ear infections — Ear cleaner and topical drops; culture if infections keep recurring.

Parasite control

• Fleas — Year-round prevention (oral or topical). Document each dose date and weight.
• Mites — If scabies or Demodex is suspected, your vet may prescribe a mite treatment (e.g. isoxazolines).
• Compliance — Log flea/tick doses in Track the Itch; set reminders if overdue (>35 days).

Skin care

• Medicated shampoos — Benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine once weekly can reduce allergens and microbes.
• Fatty acid supplements — Safe supportive therapy.
• Topical moisturizers — Can help barrier function.

For your vet
Track the Itch reports include active treatments and parasite prevention status. Use them to assess compliance and adjust regimens at rechecks.