AHHHH! The itching!

[621mum]

When we got our new pup from the rescue (at 8 weeks) she had a little generalized itching problem. We thought maybe it was the crappy food (Purina) so gradually switched her to Canidae. We also gave her a bath, did a flea check etc. The vet couldn't find anything but dry skin. We waited it out and it did improve quite a bit about a week later and stayed decent until last Wednesday, when it got bad again. Now she's a total misery, poor thing. She can't even play without stopping to scratch her belly and she often yips as if the itching is very fierce. We were up at 5 this morning because she couldn't sleep for the scratching. She will be going back to the vet this week to have it checked, but I just don't know what they are going to be able to say if it isn't fleas. She does have a few visible hives on her belly region at this point. The scratching is mostly her belly, rear legs, and ears.

I feel so bad that I can't figure it out. I guess it could still be the food, but that seems inconsistent with the fact that it got better, not worse. She had her shots shortly before we got her. Then she had them again last Tuesday. I suppose it could be some sort of reaction to those?

And if they say it's mites, then I'm going to be in a pickle, because I don't really agree with dipping a dog for mites (not scabies mites).

Argh!

 

[Saje]

I'd make sure you weren't bathing her too much, supplement some fish body oil and maybe look at her diet again. How long has she been on the new food? You might want to consider a food with fewer ingredients. or even an elimination diet

 

[Saje]

this might be an option

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/california-natural.asp

 

[621mum]

It certainly could be the new food, but it would have to be something that was in both Canidae and Purina (which is what she was on when we got her). And then I'm not sure why it got better and then worse. I may end up switching her to try though. I thought about Innova, but our other dog didn't do well on it (the protein load was too much for her), so I don't know. Obviously, switching a puppy's food constantly is bad as well. Sigh.

I've only bathed her twice. The first time with puppy wash on the recommendation of the vet (because of the flea treat the rescue had done). The second time was yesterday, in an oatmeal bath, just to try to help out her itching. It worked for maybe 4 hours.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Before you (should) proceed with any course of action for the itching, you should go to the vet to get anything and everything ruled out. I know I've already mentioned this, but do the allergy testing, check for mites, etc..

If it is mites, you do NOT have to do the dips. In fact, I suggest that you not. They are very harsh. We went through two bouts of demodex and the first time we did the dips, the second time we did a holistic method with the help of a canine nutritionist.

Before you go through changing the food again, I'd run through the tests. When you do change the food (which I actually do suggest) I'd go for a food with a primary source of protein and limited (if any at all) carbs. I don't know how open you are to it, but I think a raw diet would be the best.

Earth Bath makes a really nice oatmeal and aloe shampoo. I use this often on Buddy. I feel it's gentle enough to use regularly and when he's really itchy, I bathe him weekly (especially in the summer).

Supplements to all of their diets, include salmon oil, vitamin e and raw eggs every other day, which all help coats. I think it would be beneficial for you to add salmon oil, or some type of fish oil to your dogs diet and then maybe think about the other options.

 

[elegy]

i would ask the vet about scabies. definitely sounds like something to rule out.

with food allergies you generally see more along the lines of ear infections and itchy paws.

 

[621mum]

Buddy'sParents,

I'm not opposed to a raw diet, but with a full time job and six kids (plus 6 pets), I don't know how realistic it is for me to do it well. It's interesting because, when my big dog was a puppy, Canidae was the belle of the board That's how they ended up on it (since it only has rice, no other grain sources, etc.). We've been supplementing with flax seed oil, but I'll check out salmon oil as well.

I'm definitely taking her back to the vet (they've checked about it once before) before I do anything else.

Thanks!

 

[huskyloves]

The puppy could also have seasonal/indoor allergies, try to keep note of when the scratching is at it's worst (i.e. when she's outside on grass, after playing inside on the rugs, etc.).

If it were indeed demodex or sarcoptic, you would probably have found small patches of hair loss (sometimes just the size if a dime) for demodex, and scaly, dark patches of skin for scabies. But if it's the initial stages, there might not be any signs, so a skin plug sample would be in order.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Flax seed oil is just as good, I believe, but you may want to do more reading on it! Good luck!

 

[Saintgirl]

Canidae is a good food, but if food allergies are the culprit to your dogs hives and itching problem, canidae can still aggrivatge the problem. Some of the most common foods that contribute to alergies are beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, eggs, corn, and soy. If you decide to try a different food you need to find a food that does not include a protein source and carbohydrate that your dog has not previously been exposed to, like a fish and sweet potato. You eliminate any and other food source except for this food and maintain the elimination diet for 12 weeks, and then you start to reintroduce additional sources one at a time to discover the source of the problem- if it is indeed a food allergy. While Canidae is a great food it does contain some top allergy related foods.

Taste of the wild has a Pacific stream that is salmon and potato
There are many other foods that have been formulated for this problem, so good luck!!

 

[621mum]

Thanks, Saintgirl.
She's developed some small pustules on her belly and inner legs today. Poor little girl. I'll be glad when I can get her into the vet tomorrow.

 

[Tess32]

Buddy'sParents,

I'm not opposed to a raw diet, but with a full time job and six kids (plus 6 pets), I don't know how realistic it is for me to do it well. It's interesting because, when my big dog was a puppy, Canidae was the belle of the board That's how they ended up on it (since it only has rice, no other grain sources, etc.). We've been supplementing with flax seed oil, but I'll check out salmon oil as well.

I'm definitely taking her back to the vet (they've checked about it once before) before I do anything else.

Thanks!

It's really not time consuming after you figure things out initially It's a matter of reaching into the freezer to take out a portion and dump it in the bowl

 

[621mum]

update: today the pustules loof better but the itching continue and her ears are a major target. I am glad she will see the vet tomorrow!

 

[621mum]

Just thought I would report in that the vet says mange. They aren't for sure which type. They are treating with Ivermectin and Clavamox.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

How do they not know what type? Did they do a skin scrape?

 

[621mum]

They did do a skin scrape and they couldn't find any "adult mites" but because she has all of the symptoms, including pedal-pinna reflex, they are pretty confident that is what it is

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Interesting. I hope she feels better soon! Good luck.

 

[OsaBarbosa]

I hope you puppy gets better. We went through the exact same thing with Osa. She was super itchy to the point that it drove me crazy. At first we did the food thing but that didn't help and then we finally found it was dermodectic mange (I guess they can get it from their mothers and Osa was rescued so that could easily have happened). She was on Ivermectic once a day for 6 weeks and it made the itchies go away after about a week. She also had the little pustules on her belly. It is basically a secondary infection to the scratching.

 

[621mum]

Indy got a shot of Ivermectin and will get another in 2 more weeks (3 week interval). I hope that works. I also got some nu-stock on the advice of the rescue vet. But, man, this stuff smells horrible. I'm a little concerned about putting it on my dog!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

What about a benzoyl peroxide shampoo?