Monday, August 23, 2010

Help my dog won't stop scratching and the vets can't figure it out!?

My 5 month old long haired bullmastiff puppy has had issues with her skin since I got her. She was getting red bumps on her belly in the beginning and then it progressed to her itching, scratching, and biting her rear end, feet, and neck. She now has scabs all over her neck and is missing hair on her hind quarters. The vets have put her on steroids, anti-histimines, and a diet change which have all worked to no avail. They checked for mites which was negative 3 times, They can't tell me whats wrong and I even went to a dog dermatologist that just gave me the same instructions as the vet and told me to call back in a month. She's eating herself alive! Has anyone ever had or heard of this problem?

Help my dog won't stop scratching and the vets can't figure it out!?
We have a dog with chronic allergies. I would urge you to be very patient with your dog and sending you our best wishes as well to you!





We have found the following has helped:





- food change - we tried different foods (you need to try each at least two weeks to see if there really is a difference) and avoid food with cheap fillers in them (ie. wheat as one example). We now feed her a high-quality food for sensitive skin and stomachs which is made from fish and rice.





- coritsone shots when necessary (but we try and avoid these because of long term possible side effects) - she generally is now down to one or two a year





- washing her paws and muzzle (or any sensitive areas) after each walk (and/or exposure to grasses, etc.) - we use a non-alchocol cleanser that doesn't have to be rinsed that is made for babies (this is only when high pollen season)





- if your dog has scratched herself raw she likely needs antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and break the scratching cycle (even if the allergen is no longer there, a dog with a scab will work at it because it's itchy)





- bathing with an anti-fungal soap (particularly areas which are more prone to irritation).





One thing to consider is whether or not the allergy reaction is localized or systematic - ie. is it just something that is a reaction to what she has been in contact with? Our dog, at one point, lost all the hair around her neck and we found out that she was allergic to the metal in her collar! Or is is sytematic - ie. something in the air, her food, etc. - this is a reaction that is more all-over.





I would seriously suggest that, if your vet isn't helping you with this, that you get a second opinion. We had a frustrating time of it the first few times until we realised that it was allergies ...





(Also, when possible, monitor your dog and distract her/him from scratching. We take her for walks, play with a ball, etc.)





Good luck!
Reply:Need more info. What protein source are you feeding the dog, is it chicken, lamb or what.
Reply:consult another vet
Reply:Have her tested for allergies. She may be allergic to the carpeting. Try washing her in baby shampoo or something with oatmeal in it. Use cool water.
Reply:Buy some 7 Dust from K Mart, Walmart or a home and garden store and dust the dog thoroughly to see if that clears it up. You should also dust your carpets and her bedding.





7 Dust is made from dried and processed chrysanthemum flowers and will not hurt your dog but will kill any sorts of buys or microscopic pests that may be causing this! If you have bathed your dog before taking it for the testing, there may not have been any present at that time and your dog is getting reinfested through eggs!





Sprinkle the 7 Dust all over your carpet and leave overnight then vacuum it up just as you would Carpet Fresh. Repeat every couple days until the problem stops!





Try purchasing some flax seed oil and adding a teaspoon to your dogs food every day.
Reply:my dog had the same thing,they told me it was either mange,allergic to fleas or her food well it wasnt the food they gave me advantage to put on her this helped alot and i used some specail skin shampoo u can get at a pet store and i put stop itch stuff on her a few times a day and it went away.i gave my dog an oatmeal bath too just.add bunch in the tub and soaked her and oatmeal helps so good it makes it feel better i have used it b4 on my self when i had scabies.also i would get another opinion from another vet
Reply:Have they checked for yeast infection? A friend has a dog that did this all the time and nothing the vets prescribed worked until he went to a vet dermatologist who said the dog had a yeast infection. Don't know what to tell you but one thing that helped his dog was bathing twice a week in selsun blue shampoo with the RED cap, along with medication.





Try at least bathing with Selsun Blue with the Red cap that might give some temporary relief.
Reply:Identical problem with my present girl. Allergies to the crap food from the bag. Home made raw food will resolve it all.
Reply:put one of those cones around her head to stop her from scratching and irritating her skin even more!
Reply:Has she had a allergy test done? Is her bed filled with Cedar? Many dogs are allergic to Cedar. Stay away from Oatmeal shampoo, this usually makes them break out in hives. It could be an allergy to carpeting, grass, cats,... etc.


Do you have cedar trees in your yard? Fleas?Did you buy her from a breeder? If so phone them and ask about any others in the litter or the Parent dogs. No treats what so ever!! Stay away from milk bones, pigs ears,...

baby jade

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