[puppycraze]

My dog has been really scratching, so we have tried changing food, nothing changed, I have put him on a bland diet of meat and rice, so far no change but it has only been a week. We thought maybe it was fleas so we gave him a bath in flea shampoo and put him on flea medication. Is there something else that may cause itching in a dog. He is starting to chew away his hair any help would be appreciated

 

[GSDOwner2008]

Skin allergies; before the flea shampoo, were you using a shampoo for dogs? I had a german shepherd who itched a lot and he had skin allegies. For a while we had to bathe him with a medicated shampoo. It could also be fleas though.

 

[Sherush]

Jesse use to be itchy but we did 2 things bathed him and put on a conditioner (to help with dog's dry skin and itchiness) and also switched food to Timberwolf, we also give him an egg every few days with his food. Seems to solve his problem. Don't know if that would help you as Jesse didn't get so bad to chew away his hair.

 

[CampPappy]

My Axl has had general itchiness which I couldn't seem to solve. He didn't have itchy spots....just always scratching somewhere. I've changed his kibble to grain-free. Grain (wheat, rye, oats, barley, alfalfa etc) can cause all sorts of problems. I'm using Instinct (Turkey & Duck or Rabbit) along with raw and WOW no itchies and no eye discharge....which he's had since a puppy. Grain free kibble would be an easy thing to try. It took several weeks to see a change in Axl.

 

[AnnaRiley]

You said in you post that you "put him on flea medication." Have you not been having the dog on any kind of flea prevention until now? It does not take but one flea bite to start a big mess.

 

[mspiker03]

It took us having our dogs on just raw chicken and bone for 3 weeks to notice a difference with food related allergy itching. I've heard it can take some dogs longer. If you are thinking food allergies, I would keep him on a limited diet for longer than a week.

It could also be environmental/seasonal allergies.

 

[puppycraze]

Thanks guys for everything. I will keep up with the bland diet for now and see if there is any inprovements and go from there.The pet store gave me some Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish formula. Is this a good food to start him on, it says allergy formula

 

[nitros_mommy]

Nitro has terrible environmental allergies. We thought they were food related, but after switching to a raw diet, the allergies are still there.

Nitro gets 4 benadryl a day, and i have STILL had to put him on prednisone this last time, AGAIN!!!!! He's a food monster on pred, but i have reduced his dose to half, so that he doesn't get the hunger pangs, but it's still working inthe background, he's a lot less itchy than he was, thankfully.

I use Fish oils 1200mg a day each dog, plus a moisture mist conditioner by veterinarians best ( petsmart around $15) I use a medicated shampoo that i got from my vet, or i use an oatmeal and aloe one by Earthbath.

Saying that however, Nitro is also Hypothyroid, which affects their coats and leaves them vulnerable to ear and skin infections, plus dries their skin out, if not properly medicated.


If you feel that his itchying is getting out of control, you can go to your vets and get a vetalog shot, it's about $20 at my vets, that will cut the itch cycle. It works for about 2-3 weeks, which will give him the chance to let his skin heal.

Also if he's biting or scratching his skin raw, go to petsmart and get some DermCare, it's a blue topical liquid, you can either dilute it and use it as a wash or you can apply it direct from the bottle twice a day, it's a wound wash, with an antiseptic in it. It will stop any infection setting in. My vet manager told me about DermCare and i wouldn't ever be caught without it. It's been a god send.

Also another topical solution you can try is a 1/2 and 1/2 solution of Apple Cider Vinegar and Water, in a spray bottle. Spray your dog down with it, it stops the itch. Strange but true. Or you can put a tablespoon in with his food or have him take it off the spoon.

Good luck!

 

[Skye'sMom]

For the cost of just a few of those treatments, over the counter products and prednisone, you have your dog allergy tested.

Much better to know and treat your dog for the specific allergy than to keep trying things over months.

Poor Skye was off and on prednisone and other meds for months before I insisted on allergy tests. She now takes just one shot a month and is so much more comfortable.