Things You'll Need:
- Veterinarian
- Injection
- Prescription
- Oatmeal bath
- Cone collar
- Allergy test
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Step 1
Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately when you notice a severe outbreak of hives or a rash on his skin. The outbreak may be caused by allergic reaction to food or an environmental factor, such as a pesticide, fleas, a sign of pregnancy, or another illness for which your veterinarian will test. Your veterinarian may be able to offer your dog some immediate relief for discomfort by giving him an injection of cortisone or similar medicine. Your veterinarian also may prescribe an anti-inflammatory prescription for your pet to help treat the hives and rash. Follow your veterinarian's instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment approximately two weeks from the first visit.
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Step 2
Give your dog an oatmeal bath, per your veterinarian's permission, to provide relief for itching. Many groomers offer special oatmeal baths for dogs with sensitive skin.
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Step 3
Supervise your dog as much as possible while she is healing to help prevent her from licking and irritating the hives or rash area while the flare-up is healing. Give her plenty of activity and toys so that she will be occupied and less prone to scratch herself. If necessary, purchase a special cone collar to prevent her from irritating the rash and hives by licking herself.
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Step 4
Seek allergy testing for your dog if other causes for his hives, such as fleas or an illness, are ruled out. Allergy testing may indicate which substances are causing adverse reactions in your dog's skin. Based on test results, remove necessary trigger items from your dog's environment to lessen allergic reactions.
