Itching problems

[3fingers]

OK, my dog (black lab) has a horrible problem each year where she starts itching horribly. - I'm not talking about an occassional itch, she gets to the point where she can't even walk 4 steps w/o stopping to itch. - She itches herself all day and night, and will even find places to rub her back and sides on to itch like a cat would do.

I've had her to the vets for 3 years straight, and at first they put her on some multivitamin saying that it would help to strengthen her skin, but it didn't help at all. Last year they told me it was allergies and I should give her 3-5 Benadryl a day to help with the allergies and control itching. - This works, but only to a point. - She'll actually itch or chew herself raw in spots, so I know she must be really miserable, and I desparately want to help her, but I'm tired of spending money at the vets when they can't provide me with anything that helps.

Anybody have any ideas or things I should look for?

 

[wychow]

Skin Allergies

Like human allergies, dog skin allergies can be controlled but not cured. The best way to start is to find out what your dog is allergic to, so you can keep the allergen out of her environment. Blood tests and skin tests provide two ways of determining what your dog is allergic to. If the results were not conclusive with one type of test, try another type.

Just like us, your dog can get hay fever. She can be allergic to dust mites, mildew, mold, and pollen. From what you wrote, it seems to be a seasonal problem. If that the case, she might be allergic to pollen, then it might be a good idea to limit your dog outdoor time during allergy season.

If you dog reacts to an allergen that doesn't vary by season, in that case, she might be allergic to the dust mites, mildew, and mold that can be inside every home.

If the allergens involved can't be avoided, then your vet should recommended the "hyposensitization therapy" which is allergy shots. Also, try to find a vet who is specialized in skin problems-Veterinary Dermatologist.

If you want more information regarding canine allergies and its treatments, you can visit my website under the "Skin Diseases" section.

_________________
All the best,
Wai Yee
Pomeranian-as-Pet.com

 

[bubbatd]

I'd get down to the real problem too ....

 

[dogdaypets]

Homemade Skin Care Recipes

As you can tell when you look at my posts, I like natural remedies for dog ailments when I can.
Here are a couple of suggestions for your pup's itching problem:

Dry Skin Care

Many dogs suffer from dry skin. Causes of this affliction can include allergies, a dry house or diet. But whatever the cause, a simple solution is rinsing your dog with a bit of chamomile tea. Just boil up the kettle, make the tea, allow it to cool down (Very important!) and pour it over your dog. This will sooth your pup’s dry skin without leaving any oily residue that other dry skin treatments can leave.
If your dog has severe dry skin, rub some olive oil into the affected area and then towel him off with a paper towel.

Herbal Shampoo

You can make an excellent doggie shampoo from things that you probably already have around the house. A mixture of Aloe Vera gel and water work well. It is very mild on dog’s skin and leaves their coat quite shiny. Slightly dilute a handful of Aloe Vera gel with water and work the mixture into your
dog’s coat (it is best to apply this to a dry coat). Rinse with warm water. If you prefer to have a foaming shampoo, add a touch of baby shampoo to the mixture and use accordingly.

I've copied these from my book "101 Ways to Spoil Your Dog For Under $10"
at http:www.dogdaypets.com
When you can't get a specific treatment from your vet, the simplest cures can often be found in your cupboard.

Russ

 

[EliNHunter]

The itching could be due to a multitude of issues. First off, is your dog on a flea medication? (liquid or pill, not sprays or shampoos). Does it happen only during a certain time of year or all year round? Or, it could be ingested (food-born) allergies. My late Eli (my golden) had the same thing. I took him to a dermatologist who did the pin prick thing on him as you do a human. They shaved a square off his side and did the pin pricks. We called him "control panel dog" after that!!!! They almost ALL swelled up big! This was after we ruled out food allergies by changing his diet (rice and chicken and then rice and lamb -- the real thing, not dogfood). Well, we ruled out food allergies and looked into airborn allergies. Turns out, he was allergic to a multitude of things -- certain grasses, molds, wool, dust, certain trees, etc. etc. SOOO... I had to start giving him injections of a serum custom made for his allergies. Started out as once a week. Eli got better. But this was in the early 90's when flea control stuff wasn't really out there yet. I would find a flea here and there once in awhile on him when he would have his breakouts. Well, to make a long story longer... I started backing him off the injections once I got him on the flea control stuff. The dermatologist said he'd always need to be on the serum. Well, at $350/month I'm SURE he'd say that! I backed up to bi-weekly injections, then once a month, then nothing at all once I ran out. I kept him on flea control unless there was snow on the ground. He didn't have any problems for the rest of his life!