My dog scratches all the time,we've tried everything,including fish and potato diet,vitamins for her coat.

Question

frontline for fleas.eating and drinking out of class contaniers,honey & oat meal shampoo.Ambrotose (immune support)and benadrel.At my wits end.What can i do?

Answer 1

If the itching started (or got a lot worse) right about the same time that the grass became active in your area it is probably Summer Itch. My dog (who has a laundry list of food allergies) suffers from this. Obviously eliminating grass from her world in not an option, but we do keep the yard mowed and try to keep walks to sidewalk areas. She doesn't even like to step on the grass this time of the year.

I never had much luck with Frontline. I switched to Revolution, and had much better results.

I use a coal tar shampoo & bathe once a week during the summer. It helps a lot. Smells bad, but makes the dog feel better.

Answer 2

I would recommend trying different foods. There are many other "derm" diets besides the fish & potato...ask your vet. There are rabbit & potato, duck & potato, venison, and vegetarian for dogs who can't take the proteins. Many dogs have allergies to processed foods, including the most common proteins of chicken, beef and pork. There is also a food by Science Diet called z/d, it comes in ultra and low-allergen. Whatever you do, make sure to either feed whole food you prepare at home or a veterinary diet, not one you would buy over the counter. They all have too many preservatives. I've started preparing my dogs' food at home instead of feeding only a packaged diet and it seems to have helped some.

Also, you can try bathing your dog at least once a week with aloe oatmeal shampoo or chlorhexiderm. Omega Fatty Acids in fish oil caps are good also because they prevent dryness in the skin.

Benadryl doesn't seem to work very well, but it might help a little for temporary itching. You can ask your doctor about Temaril-P, which is a steroid but can be used in short intervals to stop itchiness. It is not recommended for long-term use.

Answer 3

Some flea products are horrible for animals. You may want to do without for a couple of months. The other things you mentioned, how long do you try them? You usually need to give something time to work. Check the feces for worms. When was the last time the dog was wormed? Tape worms can make an animal itch, lose hair, become very aggitated.

What does the vet say? Could be the dog is getting into something outside, have you checked your yard? Also, do you put products on your lawn like weed killer, fertilizers or anything like that?

My guess would be to go on another diet, check the yard, bathe with very little natural soap and rinse well. Change bedding weekly, check for sores. See the Vet.

Answer 4

I know this is a 6 year old question but I just want to tell my experience with dog's dry skin,. A lady from India told me that Coconut oil brand Parachute cures all kind of skin problem in human as well as dogs. The result was great! I applied every 2 days followed for a brush in 3 weeks he had a clean skin and beautiful fur. Dogs liked the coconut oil bad is ok, also, I add once a week one spoon of cooking coconut oil to his food. the problem is over.

Answer 5

have you given the dog a bath ?
They must be rinsed off really good at the most 3 times.

Have you tried for( him or her) ) broiled chicken and rice.
I make that by the gallons because I have so many dogs.

and if its a white dog it may have sun burn....just maybe..

And as always take the dog to the vet if need.
And if has fleas tke it o be dip and bomb your house the same time. Best of luck.

Answer 6

He may be allergic to the food he is eating, we have a dalmation who also scratches his self a lot, the vet has givin him allergy shots, it can also be from stress, try Skin so Soft from Avon, it is very good for a lot of dry skin problems, also good as a mosquitoe repellent.

Answer 7

If it is not fleas or hot spots, it could be the vaccinations that the dog has had. Read the University of Wisconsin web links.
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/8413.html

Answer 8

Your dog sounds like it has a nervous problem. My dog does this all the time. Nothing I have done works except for discoraging it with a toy or just lots of attention....... Hope this helps some....

Answer 9

Does it have big dry patches and bald spots? My lab had that and it turned out to be allergies. We fed him some deworming paste and gave him antibiotic shots, and now he's fine.

Answer 10

ask your vet about a drug called Vanectyl-P it works great for itch relief, sometimes steriods (from you vet!) help with itchiness