Puppy itching scratching and flaky?!

Rachell2313 · 02-21-2013, 09:19 AM

My puppy has had prominent dandruff flakes for the last week or so and all of the sudden at night time she scratches and bites herself so hard that I noticed a tiny cut from it on her head and arm. What could this be from and what can I do to help she seems so uncomfortable 😥

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Lilie · 02-21-2013, 11:40 AM

My dog did the same thing when he was a pup. I put him on a grain free kibble and never had a problem again. He is three now.

Shelly Chip · 02-21-2013, 07:45 PM

My pup itched like crazy from the day we got her. Allerderm Omega 3 capsules helped and we went grain free as well.

Rachell2313 · 02-22-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilie

My dog did the same thing when he was a pup. I put him on a grain free kibble and never had a problem again. He is three now.

What brand do you recommend ?

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Lilie · 02-22-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachell2313

What brand do you recommend ?

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I feed Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete now. No corn, wheat or soy. All my dogs do well on this food, so it's my number one choice. But it would be too much on your pup.

Are you planning on getting your pup's food from a feed store or a big box pet store like Petco, Petsmart etc.?

cincysascha · 02-22-2013, 05:33 PM

My pup did the same. Put him on fish oil capsules and his coat made a drastic improvement. He also itched a lot b/c of a skin infection that we got a prescription for.

WestCoastGSD · 02-22-2013, 06:12 PM

Have you recently bathed your puppy? It's best to dilute the shampoo before applying to the puppy and then make sure your rinse really well. Even the smallest amount can lead to an itchy puppy. Do not bathe your puppy often, every couple of months is sufficient, but it's best to keep it to no more than twice a year for a GSD. My friend is a professional groomer and all the books she has read say once a year for a GSD. If that is unrealistic for your household you may want to try a dry shampoo or coat spray to keep your puppy looking and smelling good. Also being that it is winter and the air is drier especially with all of us running the heat in our house, I would recommend trying a humidifier at least in the room the puppy sleeps in. Others suggestions for a grain free food are also good, but I'm thinking the two things I've mentioned here are highly likely. Have you switched the food from what the breeder was feeding the puppy? It's best to stick with what the puppy has been raised on if possible as their tummies are sensitive when they are young and it's best not to switch foods if it's not totally necessary.

Rachell2313 · 02-22-2013, 07:15 PM

Her first two weeks home she ate what the rescuer gave her (pedigree) and I slowly slowly transitioned her to eukanuba large breed puppy. Now that I'm hearing some negative feedback on that food I'm open for a new kind but I won't be able to switch for a while bc I don't want to screw up her stomach. I'm willing to buy her food anywhere I have to as long as its good quality and under $45 for a 30ish pound bag. Also I haven't washed her at all since I got her. It looks like her fur is starting to thin out around the neck area where she always scratches now

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Sunflowers · 02-22-2013, 07:21 PM

Vetericyn sprayed on the brush before grooming has worked wonders for Hans's skin. And no more funky smell, either.

Sunflowers · 02-22-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastGSD

It's best to stick with what the puppy has been raised on if possible as their tummies are sensitive when they are young and it's best not to switch foods if it's not totally necessary.

I disagree with this, especially if he was raised on less than adequate food.
The first months are critical for setting a foundation for the dog's lifetime health. You want to get the best nutrition you can afford.

02-21-2013, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rachell2313 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 67	Puppy itching scratching and flaky?! My puppy has had prominent dandruff flakes for the last week or so and all of the sudden at night time she scratches and bites herself so hard that I noticed a tiny cut from it on her head and arm. What could this be from and what can I do to help she seems so uncomfortable 😥 Sent from Petguide.com Free App

02-21-2013, 11:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 9,075	My dog did the same thing when he was a pup. I put him on a grain free kibble and never had a problem again. He is three now. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

02-22-2013, 06:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
WestCoastGSD Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sun City, CA Posts: 29	Have you recently bathed your puppy? It's best to dilute the shampoo before applying to the puppy and then make sure your rinse really well. Even the smallest amount can lead to an itchy puppy. Do not bathe your puppy often, every couple of months is sufficient, but it's best to keep it to no more than twice a year for a GSD. My friend is a professional groomer and all the books she has read say once a year for a GSD. If that is unrealistic for your household you may want to try a dry shampoo or coat spray to keep your puppy looking and smelling good. Also being that it is winter and the air is drier especially with all of us running the heat in our house, I would recommend trying a humidifier at least in the room the puppy sleeps in. Others suggestions for a grain free food are also good, but I'm thinking the two things I've mentioned here are highly likely. Have you switched the food from what the breeder was feeding the puppy? It's best to stick with what the puppy has been raised on if possible as their tummies are sensitive when they are young and it's best not to switch foods if it's not totally necessary. __________________ West Coast German Shepherds V1 Zamp von der Urbecke, 5 x SchH3, IPO3, KKL1, HD/ED, DM CLEAR, OFA CARDIAC CLEAR

02-22-2013, 07:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rachell2313 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 67	Puppy itching scratching and flaky?! Her first two weeks home she ate what the rescuer gave her (pedigree) and I slowly slowly transitioned her to eukanuba large breed puppy. Now that I'm hearing some negative feedback on that food I'm open for a new kind but I won't be able to switch for a while bc I don't want to screw up her stomach. I'm willing to buy her food anywhere I have to as long as its good quality and under $45 for a 30ish pound bag. Also I haven't washed her at all since I got her. It looks like her fur is starting to thin out around the neck area where she always scratches now Sent from Petguide.com Free App

02-22-2013, 07:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sunflowers Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 4,823	Vetericyn sprayed on the brush before grooming has worked wonders for Hans's skin. And no more funky smell, either. __________________ Norden von Narnia--Hans, dob 1-15-2012 http://pdgf.pitapata.com/uC6lm4.png

02-21-2013, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Shelly Chip New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 19	My pup itched like crazy from the day we got her. Allerderm Omega 3 capsules helped and we went grain free as well.

02-22-2013, 05:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
cincysascha New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 8	My pup did the same. Put him on fish oil capsules and his coat made a drastic improvement. He also itched a lot b/c of a skin infection that we got a prescription for.

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