My little westie charlie is 1 he has suddenly become very itchy- I know this breed of dog is prone to itching- anybody got any advice on diet - what to do / avoid etc???
2006-10-22 11:54:16 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
My six year old got very itchy suddenly during the summer. Over one weekend, she was driven demented scratching everywhere all the time.
By the time I got her to the vets on the Monday, it was at it's worst - her skin was bright pink under her hair, particularly in her 'armpits' and 'groin'. Her ears were also very irritated and swollen, even her paws, between her 'toes' were itchy.
The vet said she had allergic dermatitis - most likely caused by an allergy to a flea bite. Westies are apparently prone to developing this.
She got a long acting antihistamine to relieve the itch, and spent six weeks on antibiotics. I also took her to the groomers and had her completely shorn, just to let her cool down. Her diet is now salmon and rice hypoallergenic biscuits - supposed to help with skin irritations.
Within a day or two the itching eased, and over the following couple of weeks, her skin calmed down.
All was well until a couple of weeks ago, when we got a new kitten unexpectedly. The kitten brought a couple of little visitors with her and set off the allergy again - but I knew to expect it this time, de-flead every animal in the house, and got a teatree and menthol rub for the pink bits. So far so good, it's settling without antibiotics this time.
Unfortunately, it's likely to recur from time to time, so I must be extremely vigilant about fleas.
The vet and groomer also said not the bathe the dog too often, and to use something like baby shampoo, as a lot of the dog shampoos are too harsh for westies.
Hope that's of some use.
2006-10-22 12:04:19 · answer #1 · answered by RM 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i have were given a 2 year old male westie who i could not stay without. Westies might want to be dominate so that you ought to expose who's the boss accurate from the start, else you may have truly some difficulty with them miss behaving. he's so pleasant with human beings and canines and has a astonishing personality. Even tho u dont see many westies doin it, they could be able to do agility and revel in training, my westie has in basic terms been nominated for perfect agility! I somewhat have even were given an 8month old border collie who he likes to bits!
2016-12-05 03:01:22 · answer #2 · answered by scacchetti 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Woops
I have a westie and her skin was bad,scrathcing all the time. So i took her to the vet and he told mme just to rince her down every day with warm water and salt. Did the trick for my dog. Cheap and easy
2006-10-22 22:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a westie she is about 4 months old and the best thing is to speak to your local vet or pet shop and they will be able to recommend a shampoo and they need a special food which helps with their condition.
2006-10-22 12:04:13 · answer #4 · answered by Matt 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right about that! Ask your vet, but give your dog a really good brush through, I know it sounds crazy but it evens out the oils in the fur and skin. Also try dry shampoo if a bath is nescessary, baths dry out the skin and take necessary oils out of the hair and skin. Good Luck and I hope your dog gets un-itchy soon! :)
2006-10-22 12:00:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Avoid fleas
2006-10-22 11:55:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
do all the obvious care things and if it doesn't improve, ask your ver for a specialist dermotolgy referral
2006-10-22 13:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
long lasting true friendship. no need to be gay to be close.
2006-10-22 11:58:04 · answer #8 · answered by SEG48 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
scratch it >:D
2006-10-22 11:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by andrew 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋