Help me cure her itchies!!!

[Sush]

Okay, I need your help guys...and girls

My chihuahua has started chewing so bad that she's 'bout chewed all the hair off her front legs. I've been trying almost everything I can to soothe her itchies and save her legs! I really don't know what could be causing it. Any suggestions on what to do (trying to exhaust all options before going to the vet) and why all of a sudden is she scratching like mad?

The itching started about a week ago in which I responded by giving her a bath. She hadn't had one in a while and was starting to smell like a real dog. The only kind of shampoo we had was human, I couldn't find the dog shampoo anywhere. So I thought, what the heck, and gave her a luxurious lather with that...man she smelled great!

The chewing continued and got to where she had a few tiny bald spots on her front legs. After work that day I stopped by the pet store and got some anti-itch spray. "Corti-spray" ...bottle said it would relieve all of her symptoms. First, the sprayer sucked and sprayed everything BUT what I was aiming at. Then she actually started to lick it off and itch right through it. Lame.

Today, I gave her another bath with medicated shampoo and started her on some Benedryl (1/2 tab 2x a day). I've been going over all the things that would cause it. I know it's not her food because she's been eating this kind for a while now with no problems (Innova EVO...no allergenic fillers and she's good with poultry and beef). I don't think it's stress related because nothing has really been out of the norm lately. My roommate suggested it might have been the human shampoo (wich I initially blamed) but then I realized she started the itching even before the bath. It's not fleas because you can actually see fleas crawling on her if she has them, and no flea dirt has been found as of yet.

She seems to really itch everywhere...for some reason she's just chosen to only make her legs bald and they get balder balder as the days go by. Her eyes are seeming to weep a little (but then again she's a chihuahua with naturally weepy eyes).

Could it be something in the air? Like allergies to the new season or something? And can you guys think of any other things I can try or types of shampoos, sprays or lotions that are actually effective? Do i really have to go to the vet yet?

Wow that was a really long post. Sorry opcorn:

 

[Maxy24]

It could be allergies or Obsessive compulsive disorder... has anything in your house changed around the time it started? has he ever had obsessive tendencies? You need to take him to the vet I think, even if it is allergies the vet needs to tell you what type or give you medications or creams.

 

[ledoc]

I would get her to a vet. If it is an allergy she is going to need some cortisone initially (by injection/tablet - works with most allergies but not all) to reduce the itching and allow the skin to repair and the hair to re grow.

This is NOT a cure, but simply alleviates the problem. Then you have to start looking for a cause - not always easy.

Good luck

ledoc

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

how old is your dog? Is this totally new? (seasonal allergies will repeat year after year unless you are in a new location, or it is a particularly bad year for certain allergens)--have you changed anything in your home (floor cleaner, laundry detergent, etc.) that she has been exposed to? What type of food do you feed, and have you made any changes to that recently?

 

[Sush]

She is 3 yrs. We moved from Los Angeles, Ca to Santa Cruz Ca in January and yes this is the FIRST time we've had this kind of trouble. I'm trytin to rack my brain for things that might have changed. All I can think of of is that we have to VERY frequently swiffer the floor because we have a senior dog that pees on the floor daily. They are both kept in a gaited off section of the floor while we are gone in the morning when it's cold outside. But wouldnt she be itching her paws more than the front of her legs? I actually tried my Grandpa's Gold Bond Anti-Itch cream last night and it seemed to help alleviate the itching for at least last night. Could that be bad for her?

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

the change in location could mean a change in environmental allergans--maybe something outside? And if the swiffer is more than you used to do--I would try a different cleaner (use Nature's Miracle, or something similar)--see if that makes a difference. Also--is her food the same as before, or have you changed that? I would check with a vet for what is safe to use as a topical--the gold bond could be hazardous if she licks it. Wish I could be of more help--a vet is probably best bet at this point.

 

[Sush]

Thanks We have an appointment on Thursday morning...we'll see!

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

good luck--and let us know the outcome! I had a dog with terrible allergies for a few seasons (couple years-had to shampoo in medicated bath, etc.) then all of a sudden, the allergies stopped! I know how hard it is to watch your dog itch/scratch at themselves all the time!!

 

[squirtsmom]

Good to go to the vet, let us know what they say.

 

[Sush]

I definately will...it's hard to watch her legs become balder and balder every day She knows she's not supposed to chew so she'll hide under the covers to do it, I feel so bad for her! This will be our first time visiting this vet so I'm kinda wary. I've done some reasearch on her and she seems to have good reviews and takes a more holistic approach than some. I'll be lettin you know what happens!