Itchy Scratchy Itchy Scratchy

Teeroy · Dec 5, 2008

I have a 10 year old lab who is constantly scratching and chewing at his skin to the point that he is wearing his hair off. It is not localized to one area, but he does it where ever he can reach. This has been going on for quite sometime, but has seemed to get much worse over the last 3 months. When it 1st started it just seemed like he would scratch a lot. Over the last 3 months, it has become much more consistant. I asked the vet about a year ago and they thought it might just be allergies or something along those lines. He does not have fleas so that is ruled out. I have been giving him some omega 3 fish oil tablets to supposedly help build his skin and coat for about 2 months. At 1st they seemed to help but now seem to do nothing to help.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I feel bad for him and can hopefully get this figured out. Thanks in advance!!

Fowl Play WA · Dec 5, 2008

I see that you're in Wisconsin, has the weather gotten colder and dryer up there? I know that my dogs get a little itchier when the temps drop and the air is dry. I don't have a solution but it might be something to consider.

Montview · Dec 5, 2008

Has he been checked for hypothyroidism or any adrenal problems? Especially at his age, it sounds like, if he hasn't had a history of these problems before, you may consider getting some bloodwork done on him.

Miriam Wade · Dec 5, 2008

Teeroy said:
I have a 10 year old lab who is constantly scratching and chewing at his skin to the point that he is wearing his hair off. It is not localized to one area, but he does it where ever he can reach. This has been going on for quite sometime, but has seemed to get much worse over the last 3 months. When it 1st started it just seemed like he would scratch a lot. Over the last 3 months, it has become much more consistant. I asked the vet about a year ago and they thought it might just be allergies or something along those lines.

I'm surprised that the vet would think it's "just allergies" without trying to get to the bottom of the problem. I would make another appointment with this or another vet. I have a vet I am thrilled with because I can go in & really feel as though I'm speaking for my dog and am listened to and even the subtle signs are taken seriously. I have never turned down a test based on cost-I'll cut corners elsewhere in my life, but I want his care to be 100%.

If this were my dog -& I'm not trying to be offensive-I couldn't stand to see him suffering for months w/out trying aggressively to get to the bottom of it. I hope you find that this is something easily treatable, but I would look into allergy testing & bloodwork.

Good Luck!

** I was typing & didn't see Montview's post, but thyroid would definitely high on the list to be included in the bloodwork.

M

Miriam Wade · Dec 5, 2008

One other thought-is he on a good, high quality food and do you always buy the same food and not whatever the grocery store has on sale? Even with a good high quality food (not grocery store stuff) his metabolism may be changing due to his age and he may need a Senior food. Geriatrics take a little extra lovin' care!

M

WRL · Dec 5, 2008

All good suggestions from the others.

I'd definitely run the blood work for thyroid. I'd make sure I was feeding a good quality dogfood.

I'd keep giving the Omega pills.

PLus, I would bathe him in an oatmeal based shampoo and start giving him kelp tablets.

There is something going on.

In cases like this, I start a journal. Write down everything you can remember up to this point. Then check his bedding (did you wash it in a new type of detergent??). Did you just treat him from fleas? May that be drying out his skin? Are there cats in the house? Even if there are no fleas ON him maybe they are still biting him if there are other animals in the house.

When did you notice the change? Did you happen to change his dogfood at that time?

Anything can cause allergies. And if that is not it, then it could be lack of oil in the hair or not a quality enough dogfood.

Journal will help you figure out what it might be.

WRL

Teeroy · Dec 5, 2008

I've had him on Eukanuba since we got him almost 10 years ago and he has done great on it. In fact many people have commented how beautiful his coat has been throughout his life. He never gets baths so we are not drying out his skin that way. It came on earlier this year but has gotten worse since getting colder. He did have lymes and antoplasposis this fall and was on medication for that for 30ish days.

Could it be from the gluc tablets. Thinking back, it may have started around the time I started giving him those tablets.

WRL · Dec 5, 2008

Teeroy said:
I've had him on Eukanuba since we got him almost 10 years ago and he has done great on it. In fact many people have commented how beautiful his coat has been throughout his life. He never gets baths so we are not drying out his skin that way. It came on earlier this year but has gotten worse since getting colder. He did have lymes and antoplasposis this fall and was on medication for that for 30ish days.

Could it be from the gluc tablets. Thinking back, it may have started around the time I started giving him those tablets.

He may have an allergy to the gelatin and other crap they put in pills.

I would give him a bath in the oatmeal shampoo. It works wonders. Its only temporary but it will help calm the skin for a few days and its very good for them.

Its what is recommended for kids with chicken pox. It will help without disrupting anything else you are doing or putting more chemicals in him.

WRL

Fowl Play WA · Dec 5, 2008

WRL said:
He may have an allergy to the gelatin and other crap they put in pills.

I would give him a bath in the oatmeal shampoo. It works wonders. Its only temporary but it will help calm the skin for a few days and its very good for them.

Its what is recommended for kids with chicken pox. It will help without disrupting anything else you are doing or putting more chemicals in him.

WRL

My daughter is horribly allergic to mosquitos and lets face it, in Western WA, there are plenty of them around. Whenever she gets attacked we put oatmeal in an old sock and put it in her tub. She loves the way it feels and it really does soothe her itch. It is only temporary, but it makes the quarter sized welts go down for the time being.

Miriam Wade · Dec 5, 2008

WRL said:
He may have an allergy to the gelatin and other crap they put in pills.

I would give him a bath in the oatmeal shampoo. It works wonders. Its only temporary but it will help calm the skin for a few days and its very good for them.

Its what is recommended for kids with chicken pox. It will help without disrupting anything else you are doing or putting more chemicals in him.

WRL

This is great advice, but if it doesn't provide some relief-follow up w/ your vet. He may benefit from prednisone if he's really reacting to something. Also, watch him for the scratching causing any open sores or hot spots. You don't want to have anything that may lead to a secondary infection.

I've -thankfully-never dealt w/ allergies w/ any of my dogs other than a contact dermatitis,but that was not something I would have wanted the dog to deal with for long.

Good luck! I hope your dog is comfortable soon!

M

Itchy Scratchy Itchy Scratchy

Teeroy

Fowl Play WA

Montview

Miriam Wade

Miriam Wade

WRL

Teeroy

WRL

Fowl Play WA

Miriam Wade

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