Kumo – The Battle Against the Itch

Name: Kumo
Breed: Shiba Inu
Age/Sex: 2 years 11 months, Male (Neutered)
Weight: ~11 kg

Kumo, a gentle and expressive white Shiba Inu, came to Creature Comforts with an all-too-common issue: relentless itching. He had been scratching constantly, chewing his fur, and developing red, irritated skin—especially along his belly and limbs.

Though his condition had been waxing and waning for several months, it suddenly worsened around the same time his family welcomed a new baby. With a shift in routine and emotional stress, Kumo’s sensitive skin flared up again, leaving him uncomfortable and his family understandably worried.

During his first consultation with Dr. Dennis Lin, we performed a skin tape test, which confirmed:

• The presence of cocci bacteria
• Inflammation consistent with allergic dermatitis and secondary bacterial infection
   

Kumo’s treatment began immediately:

• Apoquel (to relieve the itching)
• Cephalexin (antibiotic for skin infection)
• Allerderm spot-on (to repair the skin barrier)
• Hypoallergenic diet (strictly enforced)
• Aloveen shampoo + conditioner (for gentle bathing)
   

A follow-up was booked two weeks later to see how his skin responded.

By January 2025, Kumo was back for a recheck with Dr. Darrian Leung—and unfortunately, the itch had returned stronger than ever. He scored 8/10 on the itch scale, had papules, redness, and more fur loss.

Another skin test confirmed persistent bacterial overgrowth. To address this more aggressively, we introduced: 

✅ Prednisolone (short-term steroid for inflammation)
✅ A repeat course of Cephalexin
✅ Continued Apoquel
✅ A full allergy blood panel to identify specific triggers

At his February follow-up, Kumo’s allergy results were in. Based on the findings, we crafted a long-term allergy management plan. He received a Cytopoint injection—a targeted treatment that blocks the itch cycle without steroids—and was placed back on daily Apoquel.

This combination helped control flare-ups while supporting his immune system and skin health in the long term.

Kumo now follows a tailored at-home routine:

• Daily Apoquel for itch control
• Monthly skin support (e.g., spot-ons, medicated baths)
• Continued hypoallergenic diet 🥩
• Emotional enrichment and stability, especially during life changes 

With this care plan and strong teamwork between vet and owner, Kumo is thriving again. 🐕✨

✅ Diagnosed with allergic dermatitis and secondary bacterial infection
✅ Managed a flare-up triggered by environmental and emotional stress
✅ Customized treatment using Apoquel, Prednisolone, Cytopoint
✅ Conducted allergy blood test to support long-term strategy
✅ Skin responded well to multimodal therapy and lifestyle adjustments

🐾 Chronic skin issues in dogs can be frustrating—but they’re manageable with a structured plan and patience
 🐾 If your dog suddenly gets itchier after a life change (like a new baby, move, or trip), stress may be a trigger
 🐾 Routine bathing, a consistent diet, and emotional support go a long way in keeping flare-ups under control
 🐾 Allergy meds like Cytopoint and Apoquel don’t cure the allergy, but they can drastically improve your dog’s quality of life

🎯 Sector 1: What Pet Owners Want to Know

1. What are the signs of skin allergies in dogs?
    
2. Can a life change (like a new baby) make skin issues worse?
    
3. What’s the difference between Cytopoint and Apoquel?
    
4. How do I know if my dog’s itch is allergy-related?
    
5. Will my dog always need to be on medication?
    

🌡 Sector 2: Medical Highlights

1. What did the skin test reveal in Kumo’s case?
    
2. Why was a blood allergy test necessary?
    
3. How does Cytopoint work differently from steroids?
    
4. What made you choose a multimodal approach (multiple meds)?
    

🩺 Sector 3: Vet’s Community Message

1. What’s the most important part of managing canine allergies?
    
2. Any tips for owners struggling with recurring skin issues?
    
3. What role does emotional wellness play in the physical health of dogs?

What’s one thing you’d like more owners to understand about skin flare-ups?