We have tried everything!!?

Question

WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD BORDER COLLIE LAB MIX WHO SCRATCHES AND BITES AT HIM SELF CONSTENTLY. THE VET SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIM. HE DOES NOT HAVE FLEAS AND WE'VE TRIED BITTER APPLE AS WELL AS THE HOTSPOT SPRAY BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. COULD HE HAVE AN ANXIETY DISORDER AND IF SO DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS AS TO HOW WE CAN CONTROL THIS BEHAVIOR. HIS SKIN IS RAW AND BLEEDING...IT LOOKS PAINFUL! SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY PLEASE. THANK YOU

Answer 1

I would definitely get a second opinion from a board certified veterinary dermatologist if there's one in your area.

http://www.avma.org/education/abvs/vetspecialists.asp

You might also try contacting a holistic vet.

http://www.holisticvetlist.com/

One of my German shepherds has skin issues. The biggest thing that helped him was to put him on Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice, a diet with a single protein source other than the usual lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, etc. found in regular pet foods. There are other foods similar to this that contain no wheat, corn, soy, by-products or artificial preservatives. He is also on high doses of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid supplements. (Don't determine the dosage yourself. It can cause diarrhea if you're not careful.)

Using Bitter Apple on already irritated skin can burn. Believe it or not, some of the other sprays made to help skin can actually irritate it more because they contain alcohol.

If you are truly dealing with a psychological issue, contact an animal behaviorist. They can help you best with medications and behavior modification. (There is a listing for behaviorists under the first link with the dermatologists above).

Good luck!

Answer 2

Sounds like your dog is BORED. Borders need alot of exercise and not just put out in yards but work. try some obedience training or frisbee playing.. Then try the putting things in the crate with him to entertain him Rawhide chews, Get a ham bone from a butcher, or big ole beef bone.. If you cant walk the dog maybe a neighbor can come induring the day when you are at work and walk him for you. Even though he is a mix he has one part that is very anxious and needs to be worked. Labradors like work too but have a part that can be laid back too. Ever think of getting him certified as a therapy dog to take him around to nursing homes or children homes to help him work off some of his energy? Might help and look at all the people you would help too.

Answer 3

Wow, I think you need to find another vet. What unhelpful, non-advice he gave you. Itching and scratching to the degree that you describe is a problem that could be caused by allergies to his food or to something in the house, possibly a detergent. Find another vet and be sure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise. Border collies were bred to work *all day*, every day, and they are very susceptible to stress and anxiety disorders if they don't get to burn off some steam!

Answer 4

Dog whisperer has a point. Also labs are notorious for skin allergies and bad ears. If your dog gets groomed (using clippers to shave) sometimes they can get cut too close creating razor burn. When it starts to heal, it itches. A lot. Pretty soon it becomes psychological; a habit to lick, scratch and chew. Older dogs who get hot spots and those with skin allergies have the same issues.

If steroids like oral prednisone have not been tried short term, to help break the cycle (by decreasing inflammation and itchiness) I would certainly insist with your vet on starting there.

Once your dog can concentrate on something else besides his misery, definitely find an outlet for your working dog.

Answer 5

It is completely possible for him to have an anxiety disorder. Border collies are very smart/and sometimes high strung dogs. They require a lot of physical as well as mental stimulation. You should try keeping him more physically active, try taking him for walks during the day, and mentally stimulated. This may help. If it doesn't, consult your vet about drugs that help anxiety such as clomicalm.

Answer 6

He may have a skin condition if he's biting at himself that goes beyond fleas since dogs are also prone to ringworm which can make their skin painfully itchy. If you're using the wrong kind of dog shampoo that will also cause dogs to do that my dog had an infection so bad that he literally pulled the hair off his rear end and it was read and puffy because he was biting himself and that was due to the groomer's shampoo which caused him to have a skin rash.

Answer 7

I am not sure what country you are in....but in the hotter months of the year, my dalmation used to develop a terrible summer rash and it was related to him lying on the grass outside. He used to drag him tummy and scratch and lick constantly. I know how terrible it is to watch your dog in pain and distress so I just thought I would tell what the cause was with my pup. It was an allergy to dry grass and he had a terrible rash and small sores on his tummy and legs. I took him to the vet and got some cream to soothe the rash and he went on a course of anti-histamenes to combat the allergy. Also - I suppose your vet would have suggested a quartazone shot to you? Otherwise, it could be due to nerves - but that to me does not explain the irritation.

Good luck mate.

Answer 8

I would go to a different vet. It could be allergies, a lot of dogs with allergies have the same problems.

Answer 9

he's got border colie in him. he needs to be stimulated. he needs something to do. he's bored. a border collie is a herding breed. they have to work, or they will go crazy. and licking to the point of self mutilation is a symptom of this.
give the dog something to do.
most border collie owners get into agility classes, or fly ball. you got to give this dog a job or he's gonna get worse

Answer 10

i would talk to another vet maybe he has allergies i have a friend who has a dog who does the same thing she is allergic to grass and leaves so they pretty much have toleave her in all the time or else she will scratch herself bald ther is med they can give you for him if its allergies