Bella may be ill?

[Specsy]

So, usually when I pet Bella, it isn't just a stroke, it's usually really rough scratching and petting, to get her tickle spot so I see leg action. I know I am mean, but yeah. So I DO NOT know how long this has been going on but here goes...

Yesterday my boyfriend lightly touched Bella sort of in between her ribcage and back, and her ENTIRE body just moved as if cringing away from his touch and then she seemed slightly uncomfortable. He then touched the other side, and the same thing happened. I thought maybe she was just uncomfortable with him touching her, but she did it when I tried too. So anyway I attributed it to maybe not wanting to be touched and her voluntarily cringing like how we move away to avoid touch. It was night time as well and we were ready for bed so I didn't pay it much attention.

I did it again today and her skin just creeps away. I have no idea how to really explain what happens, it is as if her loose skin on her back and neck just runs away to the other side of her body. It is NOT a voluntary action and it seems to really be uncomfortable for her. It only happens when we touch her very lightly.

I am freaking out, but I cannot afford vet fees at the moment. I used my emergency vet fee stash to help my boyfriend out when his JRT got attacked by other dogs and needed medical attention last week (we don't know whose dogs attacked so we can't even sue for vet fees). He doesn't have money to pay me back right now. My mom doesn't have money to lend me right now either.

What do you think it could be? Maybe just an involuntary action just like the leg motion dogs do when you scratch a "good" spot? Any ideas? Theories?

 

[Maxy24]

It could be pain, or it could be akin to a ticklish spot. Cats do this when they want to get something off of them. Like if you pet them and their skin does it then they want you to stop. Or if they have messed up fur they do it because the fur is irritating. It's a natural reflex because it actually works to remove things. My brother Matt thought it was funny so he'd put a poker chip on my cat's back while he was lying there and Neko would skin ripple and the chip would move and fall off. So yeah, it could be something like that. But I don't think there is any way to know if it's pain, just not wanting to be pet right then, or if it tickles or something.

 

[Specsy]

This could be it, I am thinking maybe she just did not like being touched lightly, maybe it tickles?

I am also freaking out because I found 4 ticks on her as well a few days before I discovered the skin ripple thing and I am wondering if it could at all be related (forgot to put in the first post) but she isn't ill or acting ill or different in ANY other way, just the whole skin ripple thing is new, and odd.

 

[Renee750il]

It does sound kind of like a ticklish reaction, but just keep an eye on her for any other signs of something wrong.

You might want a vet check to rule out any tick borne diseases though.

 

[JacksonsMom]

I'd think as long as she's not yelping in pain, it may not be anything. But you never know.

Jackson would yelp when you barely touched his sides and he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. Apparently that's a common sign.

Also, when a dog is dehydrated, the skin, when pinched between your pet's shoulder blades, will not spring back right away. It should go back in less than 5 seconds. If not, your dog is dehydrated.

 

[sassafras]

Is is like the skin twitch that horses do to get flies off? Sometimes Pip does that if you touch him when his allergies are flaring and he's itchy. I've seen dogs do it if their back hurts, too.

 

[Specsy]

Is is like the skin twitch that horses do to get flies off? Sometimes Pip does that if you touch him when his allergies are flaring and he's itchy. I've seen dogs do it if their back hurts, too.

Yes exactly like the skin twitch that horses do. I think it could be allergy related, as spring is coming in September and there are lots of things already flowering, budding, and sprouting. I totally did not make that connection, and yet it is the most likely connection. The vet gave me a extra prescription of antihistamines for Bella which she said I should only use when I think her allergies are about to flare up. I think I should start medicating. Any thoughts?

 

[sassafras]

Yes exactly like the skin twitch that horses do. I think it could be allergy related, as spring is coming in September and there are lots of things already flowering, budding, and sprouting. I totally did not make that connection, and yet it is the most likely connection. The vet gave me a extra prescription of antihistamines for Bella which she said I should only use when I think her allergies are about to flare up. I think I should start medicating. Any thoughts?

For me, I know that for Pip it's allergy related, so I would give them. And antihistamines are pretty safe, so you could always give them for a couple of days and see if the skin twitching gets better.

 

[jenv101]

Both of my dogs do this too actually, but they've done it ever since they were puppies so I think its just a nerve reaction/sensitive spot. If it seems to be a new development then there might be something else to it but it's hard to say.

 

[Specsy]

Ok, today I tested it and instead of taking my hand away after the skin twitch I left it a little longer and she immediately started scratching. I think she is really itchy. I checked her skin around the area, it seems okay, but just above the area it is a little flaky. I already have been giving her oil supplements so I don't think it is merely dry skin. I think it could very well be her allergies starting (you'll see in my older threads, Bella has pretty regular skin issues).

 

[Specsy]

UPDATE: We went to the vet yesterday (I got money from my mother) to have a blood test for tick bourne nonsense and to see what's going on with her skin. She has no tick bourne illnesses however her skin is popping up in a few lesions here and there. The vet thinks it could be because of outside influences like pollen and stuff like that and considering the place I live at has over 1000 trees, shrubs etc it is highly possible. However the vet has told me to feed her a human medication which is a chlorpheniramine called Allergex. She said it might do her a lot better than other meds. So we started her on it and in a week will see how it goes.

 

[Renee750il]

Hope this works well for her If you suspect pollen and other contact allergens you'll be wanting to bathe her in something mild and soothing pretty often, as well as her bedding and vacuuming any carpeted areas.

Poor baby. Skin irritations are so uncomfortable. Don't be surprised if she gets a little irritable.

 

[Specsy]

We have tiles in my room and most of the house luckily. Vet said I should only bath her once every 2 months with a tea tree based shampoo.. is this right?