i have a westie dog and hes itching and scratching all the time can dogs get nits?(headlice)?
2006-09-19 21:39:33 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
no they cant get nits but fleas/ mites and also allergies could be the cause i would go to the vet so that fleas etc can be rulled out then you may be put on a special diet if its thought to be an allergy. these types of problems are easy if its fleas but can take a long time if it is an allergy etc to sort out so be prepared this could take a while
2006-09-19 23:29:24 · answer #1 · answered by jenny n 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, dogs do not have lice. Your dog probably has allergies. Maybe a flea allergy. If a flea bites the dog they will scratch and itch like mad. My chihuahua has flea allergies and also skin allergy. I bathe her in a special shampoo that the vet gave me and she also has an allergy pill that she takes when it gets bad (usually in the summer when the fleas are bad). She will get to scratching so bad that I want to scream at her and she claws up her neck and back so that it looks like she has been in a dog fight. The pills really help. You can also give dogs childrens benedryl for allergies but it tends to make them sleepy. Ask the vet for the right dosage for your size dog. Good luck. PS. Don't waste your money on any anti-itch stuff from stores like Walmart cause it does not work.
2006-09-20 04:48:03 · answer #2 · answered by nesmith52 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's not nits or headlice, it could be fleas or she have a skin problem you need to take the vet if has a skin problem or if she has fleas you can get something from the pet shop.
2006-09-20 05:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by jo k 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They can gets all sorts of parasites, and it becomes more prevalent depending where you live. He could also have allergies. My one dog is allergic to everything, from certain food to grasses and dust. Take him to the vet so you can at least start to rule out parasites. If its allergies you can always give Benedyrl and change the food to eliminate the allergic food source. For now try giving him a bath with medicated itch shampoo and see if it helps. Sulfodene Medicated Shampoo works really well.
2006-09-20 07:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No but they can get fleas.
Go to the vet he will tell you if it's fleas of an irritated skin.
Fleas- he will give you some frontline or a similar product to put a back of the neck and a spray to do your carpets and the dogs beds.
Irritated skin - he will give you some shampoo and possibly some tables to calm the itch.
2006-09-20 04:43:16 · answer #5 · answered by angelcake 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you see any dandruff near his tail on his back against the skin? It could be skin mites (AKA walking dandruff).. You cannot see them without a microscope. It is common on dogs. Frontline plus will get rid of them.
Shampoo with a flea shampoo, really consintrating on the back end above the tail, then all over. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse well.. Wait 2 days and then put on the frontline plus it HAS to be the plus! Revolution is also one that works awesome.. You have to get both from your vet.
So have him/her check for mites..
2006-09-20 04:51:39 · answer #6 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Westies are always like that my mother had one and she was like that all the time........... westies are prone to itchy skin, try not putting your cental heating on to high.............. also eveyone will tell you to watch their diet and only bath them in dog shampoo!!!! When my mums westie got cancer, my mum decided to let her have what she wanted to eat and let her live her life good, she got lots of tip bits and normal food, and i would bath her in whatever shampoo me or my mum were using at the time with a small bit of dog shampoo mixed in and she never looked nicer................................. Good Luck x x
2006-09-20 05:03:00 · answer #7 · answered by Very Sexy Vixen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Westies are notorious for skin complaints, I think a visit to a vet would be well worth it.
2006-09-20 04:49:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
:) not sure about nits,but they can get fleas and other nasties, so go and see your vet and ask for some frontline tick n flea( the stuff you buy from normal shops is rubbish and usually the same price).
Are you using any shampoo on him, this could be irritating his skin making him scratch
2006-09-20 07:03:12 · answer #9 · answered by jojitsui 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have him put down and see your local taxidermist.
A stuffed Westie would be far more useful around the house and think how much you'll save on dog food.
2006-09-20 05:00:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋