Many dogs and cats we see in the clinic have a long history of steroid and antibiotic use.
Suppressing the immune system with prednisone, cortisone or an "allergy shot" gives the dog or cat some much needed relief.
Antibiotics are often indicated for the secondary bacterial skin infections that result from the inflammation in the system due to circulating immune complexes.
Steroids and antibiotics are the short term fix, often necessary to buy some time while the immune system is rebalanced.
Many natural supplements can also assist in the inhibition of the inflammatory cascade. Vit E, selenium and other trace minerals, the amino acids glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid and good old Vit C. A raw food diet provides all of these elements. In the initial period of change, your dog or cat may benefit from supplementation as well. Long term supplementation is not ideal, the body is much better at using natural food sources of these important nutrients.