I'm not sure on her breed. She is actually my mom and stepdad's dog. Shortly after moving from Texas to Louisiana the dog started scratching and wouldn't stop. She is scratching herself to the point of breaking the skin and losing her hair. The vet has claimed for a few years now that it is allergies but nothing he has tried has worked. They recently found out she has a tumor but the vet won't operate until the scratching clears up.
Vitamin A is important for skin as may other nutrients. I have found that what the vet attributes to allergy may actually be malnutrition. Commercial dog food may not be good enough for some dogs, (03/03/2005)
By Barbara
It sounds like your dog has "doggie acne". I have a cat that has "kitty acne". He has the same symptoms as your dog. He has to get a Depol shot every 6 to 8 weeks and within 2 days of getting the shot he stops scratching completely. Depol is a steroid shot and isn't good for the liver so shouldn't be given sooner than 6 wks apart. I have spent hundreds of dollars on my cat trying to find the cause and cure for his "acne" and Depol is the only thing that works. (03/03/2005)
By Augie
Sounds like dry skin to me too, now I am not a vet, but my dog has/had dry skin and this what the vet suggested to us.
First of all either change his food to something with veal in it and you can also a vitamin E or olive to his food. It helps to condition the skin and you will start to see results in a few days.
Hope this helps you out!
(03/03/2005)
By
My dog had a terrible itching problem until I changed her food. She used to be on a non-allergy food from the vet which was about $40 for 30 lbs. Now she is on one from Pet Smart which is about $20 for 30 lbs... it's been great! Good Luck! (03/03/2005)
By
I was recently told of a similar problem someone had with their dog. Different medications were used, nothing seemed to help. The dog owner finally stopped feeding her dog any chicken based dog food. Her dog apparently was allergic to chicken. She feeds her dog high quality lamb and rice food. Her dog is fine now after the diet change.
By it's.only.me
There's no reason to put a dog to sleep for having allergies. Veterinary medicine has progressed to much. The vet you were going to just wasn't qualified to take care of it. The tumor needs to be removed. She's depending on you guys. Did she have the problem in TX? Louisiana is a swamp. It's one of the worse states for people with allergies because of the high mold/humid issue. I'm not surprised the dog has problems. She really needs to be seen by a veterinary allergist to find out exactly what she's allergic to or you will continue to treat the symptoms without solving the problem. Dogs can get allergy shots to if necessary. But that might not even be necessary because you might be able to remove the offending substances. The poor thing is miserable & doesn't understand it.
By Vicki
There's a website you should check out "Dr.Willards Water"
It says the water normalizes all livings things that are in an unhealthy condition, whether it's people, animals, vegetation.. It recommends putting 1/2 cup of the Willard Water in your dogs bath to relieve itching. This is a very interesting website, I haven't tried the water yet but plan to soon as I'm able. Good Luck! There is no greater unconditional love than we get from animals. Bless you for trying to help this poor creature of Gods :) (03/03/2005)
By auntdarween
You can find medicated shampoos for dogs, but there is one type that you can find in a lot of stores, even Wal-Mart or Target and that is dog shampoo that contains oatmeal. It is soothing to their skin just like oatmeal baths are to humans with itchy skin from eczema, chicken pox, etc. Usually these shampoos are not too expensive either. It might help. (03/03/2005)
By Robin
There is a product called IN for Innovator. It's sold at Petco stores as well as over the internet. This works wonders on dogs with skin problems. I would guess your dog has a flea allergy that is causing this problem but the IN will take that away. It takes several weeks before it fully works but the coat grows back in beautifully. I have 5 Borzoi and have used it on them when they were going to dog shows to help keep their coats in good condition. (03/04/2005)
By Roberta
Also try vitamin E (Not more than 50 icu) and an oatmeal bath. (03/04/2005)
By Fran Marie
I soak my dog in oatmeal, yes real oatmeal. I make a slurry out of a cup of oatmeal and 2 or 3 cups of hot water. swirl it around. strain it and you have a muddy looking water. I lather that all over. It seems to help.
You can also put veggie oil in their food for the dry skin. Also try benedryl that may make her sleepy but it would stop the itching momentarily. (03/04/2005)
By sandy
Try adding a bit of cod liver oil to his food daily. The vitamins in it along with the natural oil will help his skin. (03/04/2005)
By Suzie
I would get a second opinion from a different veterinarian. The dog could have something besides allergies and blood tests and other types of tests can rule out those possibilities. Also, dogs can be tested for allergies just like we can. It was very helpful for us. If your vet has done all of these things, you will probably know what is causing the itching and can treat it appropriately. I can't stand the thought of your poor dog itching like crazy for that long. (03/04/2005)
By guest
My in-laws had the same problem - they live in Florida, so probably even similar climate. They finally went to a farm supply store and bought a salve called Bag Balm - it's used on cows' udders. It worked for their dog! Good luck!
(03/10/2005)
By Becki in Indiana
I had the same problem with my boarder collie mix. I changed her food from a corn based dog food to a no corn based food. She doesn't scratch any more. A lot of dogs are allergic to certain ingredients in dog food. Check the label. I called my local feed store and they helped me make the change. Good luck! (03/10/2005)
By 4jrsmom
I have had people tell me evening primrose oil is excellent for dogs skin and coat. Supposed to work wonders with problem skin (10/18/2005)
By Jackie
For what it is worth, I have 4 dogs who never had this problem, but recently inherited a cocker spaniel who started scratching like made after about 1 year old, to the point where he has been pulling his tailfeathers out. These are all the things other owners and vets told me to do. I have done them systematically, and they have helped but not alleviated it. My next step is the vet and Steroids. (ps. we also live in Texas).
1. change his dog food immediately to one that is not corn based. They can't process corn (so smaller poop) and alot of docs are allergic to it. (NutriPet, Iams and Eukanuba all have one)
2. Oatmeal shampoo (available at the grocery store in the dog section)
3. Sentinel or "permanent" flea medication (only good for flea larvae, they will still pick up adult fleas every time they go outside, even in winter if it is a warm winter).
4. Add a tablespoon of veggie oil to their food.
5. Add one tablespoon of canned dog food with omega fatty acid. (I use one with turkey in it because it also has phenoalamine, which is a natural sedative to my over-anxious, slightly psychotic dog)
6. Garlic supplements makes the dogs skin unappetizing for fleas. (or you can put some garlic powder in the dog food). If the fleas don't bite, the dog won't itch, even if they jump on him.
7. Don't over-bathe because it dries the skin out. And don't use a hair dryer to dry him. (which makes it difficult in the winter).
8. Up to 25 milligrams of Benedryl twice a day. I put a caplet in a tiny piece of peanut butter bread. It helps, alot!. Also, it helps to calm him a bit because he is a bit spastic.
9, Dried tea leaves are also a natural repellent to fleas. They used to use them on oriental carpets to keep them clean. Just sprinkle some cheap black tea on his hair and brush or rub it in. The tea leaves will brush right out.
Hope this helps a little.
ps. Find another vet. I have been finding that vets who are good for emergency purposes for my other dogs, seem to have no common sense when it comes to allergies or daily issues. If you are in the Dallas area, I could probably recommend a couple.
Good Luck (11/28/2005)
By Lori
I agree completely, find another vet, and get that poor puppy on some high-quality food...like Nutro or Eukaneuba, NOT Pedigree or Science Diet. chose the rice and lamb ('sensitive stomach') type formulas with fewer protein sources, and no wheat or corn. You'll need to switch over gradually over about 10 days (1/10 at a time) so as not to upset her digestive system. Find out what she's allergic to, and you'll have half the battle won! Best of luck, Anne (11/28/2005)
By Anne from MD
I had a Lhaso Apso (recently passed) who had itchy skin. bathing remedies only lasted a day or 2. Vet told me to give him chicken skin (cooked). I mixed it in his food and after 3 mths his itching all went away. He had chicken skin in his food after that 2-3 times a week. Some breeds are prone to dryskin. I heard fish oil also helps. (12/02/2005)
By Debbie
Sorry didn't fully read your post: moving from Texas to Louisiana - I would bet money its chiggers and not dry skin. Spray the yard good and bathe him. Ask your neighbors what they use to get rid of them in their yard. I use Diazon. After a rain storm walk around barefoot where theres less grass and see if your feet begin to itch too. If the yard is infested you can have it fixed in 2 seasons. (12/02/2005)
By Debbie
I buy this soap from this lady of ebay it is homemade all natural and this helps. Soap in a Box Pet Shampoo. I also buy this Vitamin from walmart that in the pet section that is for skin. (01/17/2006)
By Dena
My dog has sores like crazy from itching herself to death I use that bag balm and it works great I've been using it for a couple weeks and now its healing really good. labs have very bad allergies. I also use that lamb and rice dog food and that seems to help! (04/23/2007)
By amanda
My dog is scratching at same spot all the time. Can it be dry skin? He is a long haired Shepperd. (08/26/2007)
By Linda
I wanna bring this post back to life.
I have been trying to figure out my dog's itch.
With all this feedback I have a better plan of attack to give my buddy Scooby some relief!
Poor fellow scratches from sunrise to sunset.
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
~Wendola~ (09/25/2007)
By ~ Wendola ~
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