itchy dog

[Dizzydancer]

My lab is itchy but not scrathing himself only when i stroke or tickle him anywhere he gets all scratchy and wriggles but he is not bothered by it and looks happy.
Im wondering if dry skin from being so hot. Its not fleas at least not that i can see and he was treated a couple weeks back anyway.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Have you treated the house, room by room then redone two weeks later when the eggs hatch? Might he becoming allergic to a food ingredient? What is he fed? I'd be asking the vet for a skin scrape if he doesn't stop.

 

[Dizzydancer]

He is on skinners salmon and rice. Not treated the rooms but we have no bites and cats aren't scratching. But will do all rooms just in case.
I will take him to vets if carries on- its only been for past 2 days so far. Wondered whether a shower in aloe might work?

 

[Cas1979]

OMG I was just about to post the same, my Lab pup has been insanely scratching for the past 2 - 3 days. He was treated with front line 2 weeks ago and took him to vet yesterday for final jabs and was treated with advocate.
I asked vet but she said he's OK, not fleas and healthy skin.
He's fed with Wainwright and hasn't been out since brought him home 2 weeks ago. Wouldn't think there're fleas in house, I constantly wash carpets and steam clean floors and carpets too! A bit of a clean frick lol
Was thinking to give him a bath with tea tree oil shampoo to see if that'd help, but at the same time I'm worry about his natural oils.

Any ideas??

Thanks, I'm sure Dizzydancer and I'd appreciate ur help!!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Try a flea repellent shampoo. Treat the house now and in two weeks, Hoover thoroughly after treating.

I can't remember why, but Frontline spot on apparently no longer works? I just got Advocate for my itchy lot but I'm going wait to treat them when the weather cools down next week as river walks are currently happening! I've treated the house with RIPFleas which seems to have been very effective cos I'm not being bitten anymore.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Cas Im thinking similar to you regarding a bath. His skin looks healthy no redness so wondering if he has just been warm with weather and now itchy from that.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Thanks ct- i used advocate when i did mine so hopefully that worked on him- will get some of that for house tho.

 

[Cas1979]

Try a flea repellent shampoo. Treat the house now and in two weeks, Hoover thoroughly after treating.

I can't remember why, but Frontline spot on apparently no longer works? I just got Advocate for my itchy lot but I'm going wait to treat them when the weather cools down next week as river walks are currently happening! I've treated the house with RIPFleas which seems to have been very effective cos I'm not being bitten anymore.

I've used Advocate before with my GSD and found a tick on him within 1 week of application so went back to frontline and nothing ever again. Advocate since to have really good coverage with other worms not only fleas but not with ticks, which worries me a bit. I'm considering bath, yes DD I think the same sweaty skin causing itch. I've steam cleaned the house so hopefully if any bugs, they are dead now!!Thanks

 

[Dizzydancer]

Hi cas how is your dog? Mine is still itchy and have just found a red sore bit on his back leg- time for vets help i think.
Just bathed him in malaseb to try sooth the itch.

 

[Cas1979]

Hey DD, nope still itching, I'm checking every spot he chews or scratches but can't see anything - I'm waiting for weather to improve again to give him a bath, tea tree oil is meant to be really good, if this doesn't help is very little I can do until sth else appears on his skin. He's already been to vet who had a look at skin but couldn't see anything. I'm brushing him every night so if is dirt or sweat it doesn't stick on his skin, but that doesn't seem to be working either

Let me know what vet tells you, if any tips!

Fingers crossed they can come up with sth....

Good luck!

 

[Dizzydancer]

Will do, we are going this evening at OH request so it must be bad! Ha ha
my poor dog just keeps looking at me as i am spending ages searching through his hair in search of anything. But other than dry skin can't find anything! So annoying. He has chewed his back leg red now tho.

 

[Dobiegirl]

I just wondered what either of you are feeding your dogs as some foods is known to cause itching in certain dogs.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Watch with tea tree oil, it can be quite abrasive and best to dilute it.

Bear in mind it might be food as mentioned, a weedkiller or other garden product, a pollen allergy (the pollen count is very high at the moment) or it can also be genetic.

Cas - you say you are a clean freak and you wash and clean the house every day - please bear in mind it might be a household product you are using that is causing the irritation!!

Not all vets are good at isolating or treating skin irritations, for one reason or another, and will just send you away with products while others specialise in getting to the bottom of it and fire-fighting.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Thanks guys. I feed my lab skinners salmon and rice- rang them and they said no change to ingredients. Its wheat free so doubt its from food.
Yes my vet has treated mums old dog for skin complaint so pretty happy with them for skin issues.
I do think it maybe pollen related as its so sudden.
Just another possibility- he has mixed with 5 dogs in past 2 weeks 2 of which have been imported over from Germany but are from well recognised breeders within past 2 weeks- Could they have bought anything over? The other 5 have not got same itching tho.

 

[CorvusCorax]

It's unlikely if the other dogs are not presenting with symptoms and your own shows no sign of parasites (German ticks are hideous though )

What age is he. Some allergies do not become apparent until maturity (happened with my own dog, he was fine up until about 12 months)
Fish based foods are usually safe enough but anything with high levels of protein was enough to set my old dog off.

If you think it is pollen you could ask the vet about giving him some Piriton. I did it under vet's advice but bought it in bulk off internet with his blessing, as was cheaper.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Thanks, yes that was my thought- unless he is super sensitive to fleas- he may only have one or two i suppose as i have a fine tooth combed him and found nothing.
Hoping its something simple- doubt it will be!

 

[MeAndMyDog]

I would also try a simple bath.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Just been to vets, he doesn't think is allergy to anything as no classic areas but not ruling out. However just before i left home noticed small brown thing on dog bed when he got up- possibly lone flea and dog having allergy to saliva not an infestation.
Vet has given him stronghold spot on. Skin scraping was not showing anything but wants to treat for either flea or scabies as we were in a fox run field last wed so only couple days prior.
We are to cut out all treats as well. Got some steroids to give at weekend if still scratching but fingers crossed it was just one flea! I bathed mine yesterday which did help so maybe try that cas.
Have just re sprayed house and cars! Sorry cas no real help but we are treating for parasite cause before going allergy route- apparently the weather is causing quite a lot of fleas at present.

 

[Cas1979]

Fingers crossed DD, I'm planning bath this weekend. Fudge doesn't seem to be as bad as yours, but perhaps is only the beginning, lets hope not and bath relieves the itchiness.
He's fed with Wainwright, which is meant to be hipoallergenic.
My cleaning is mainly hoovering and steaming, not much detergents.
He's still a pup, only 10 weeks old so I'm careful what I'm using around him.
I hope things better for both of us DD.

Thanks to all for help and advice!

 

[Dizzydancer]

Has your vet checked for 'walking DanDruff' its a type of mange that puppies can get?
I found it in my research- maybe worth checking- symptoms were dry scaly flakey skin around neck and back.

 

[CAYLA]

My rottie gets itchy every now and then when she is blowing her coat, I bath her in epi soothe, I bathed her today and the itching stopped asoon as she was dry

 

[Dizzydancer]

Thanks-he is blowing his coat at present. Tonight typically he is much better- hasn't scratched anymore than he would have normally. So after a vet visit and bill magically he is improved- typical!

 

[Cas1979]

Brill I'll try that!

 

[Cas1979]

Thanks-he is blowing his coat at present. Tonight typically he is much better- hasn't scratched anymore than he would have normally. So after a vet visit and bill magically he is improved- typical!

Hey DD hows your Lab getting on with medication??

I bought the shampoo Cayla recommended so Im trying that this weekend and taking him to vet on Monday

It hasn't got worse, which Im thinking is god news but I feel bad for him cos he is running having fun and has to stop to have a scratch :O(

 

[Dizzydancer]

Hi cas sorry to hear your boy is no better.
My lab has been much better since he had the strongrid spot on at vets no itching now and no sore spots.
Hope you get some answers next week. X

 

[maree t]

Hi, I would be interested to know how you are getting on ? I have 3 dogs two border collies that are scratching like mad. The other dog isnt. i used frontline a while ago with no effect. i then read on here that it isnt working well so used advocate. That was three weeks ago and they are still scratching. I will get some shampoo today and try that. There is no sign of any fleas, we dont have carpets and dont use any chemicals to clean the floors (and much else !!!) We do have badger runs through our field and obviously foxes aswell. I have changed food recentley since it started but guess they both probably contain wheat. I think that will be the next move for me. There is no red patches, coats dont feel great but no scurf .

 

[Cas1979]

Hi Maree, my lab is better. Have used episoothe shampoo, is really good.
I think is his collar and not a condition.
In relation to your pets, my best advice is to take them to vets if after giving them a good bath things don't improve.

Good luck!

 

[Dizzydancer]

Agree if no better after bath take to vet. Mine has been fine after vet put flea and mite killer on not sure which it was tho. Apparently the harvest mite is bad at present.