My dog has very itchy skin and nothing seems to work for long. Can anybody help?

Question

I've tried steroid shots, Dinovite, bathing her in chlorine-free water, medicated shampoos and dips. Everything works for a few days or weeks, but nothing works long-term. Has anybody found something that will work permanently?

Answer 1

sounds like allergies...of some sort...i figured out one of my dogs was allergic to the carpet cleaner i scrub my floors with. it bothered me a bit to....so vinger and water 1:2 ratio is all i clean my carpets with now.
it could be her food some dogs can't eat wheat or corn. and really no dog should.
it could be a flea problem. garlic powder is litely sprinkled on mines food to keep the biters at bay.
it could be grass....

i bathe my dogs in oatmeal baby shampoo...and some times when hot spots araise i put vitamin e oil on the skin and rub it in....its the best thing i have found to work and i don't have to worry about them licking it w/o me knowing.
bathing to much can cause dry skin as well.
hope that helps.

Answer 2

1) Add about a Tbsp of Tea Tree oil and a Tbsp of baking soda to whatever you are shampooing your dog with and make sure the shampoo is gentle and preferably free of scent.

2) Put a few drops of tea tree oil in your hands and pet your pooch daily.

3) Add a vitamin E capsule to your pooches food.

This should help alot. The tea tree oil is an anti bacterial/anti fungal and not very expensive- about $5-$6 at Walmart.


Here is what I found on the web..............


Do you have any suggestions to help relieve my dog's itchy skin? --iVillager bcm151

Dr. Messonnier says: Since many of the posts are about itching, and since we'll be seeing more allergies in the next few months, my answer to this post will give all of you a good overview of how to deal with itchiness naturally.

1. No vaccinations if the pet is itchy. I prefer titers every year, and only immunize if the titers indicate the need and if the itchiness is well controlled.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids. I recommend fish oil at two to four times the label dose.

3. Natural diet, ideally homemade, using the diets in my book, Natural Care for Dogs and Cats

4. Bathe frequently, every one to two days as needed until your pet is comfortable.

5. If steroids are needed, stick with oral prednisone given at a low dose for three to five days.

6. You can try antihistamines (work with your doctor) but if response is not seen within one week that antihistamine or that dose of antihistamine will not work. Try something else.

7. If antigen injections (allergy shots) do not help after 12 months, they won't work.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My dog has very itchy skin and nothing seems to work for long. Can anybody help?
I've tried steroid shots, Dinovite, bathing her in chlorine-free water, medicated shampoos and dips. Everything works for a few days or weeks, but nothing works long-term. Has anybody found something that will work permanently?

Answer 4

Sometimes changing the food will help. Use a food that has little or no preservatives. Dogs are sometimes allergic to the preservatives. A good brand to try that has less preservatives than others is called Nutro. Also, bathing the dog with an oatmeal shampoo can help. Wait awhile between baths though. Bathing frequently can remove the dogs natural oils that mosturize the dog's skin. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

There is a great recipe for home made dog shampoo for allergies that works wonders! I can't think of what is all in it but type in dog shampoo recipe on the net and you will come up with something. Also try researching your dogs breed or most dominate breed if it's a mix because some are more prone to dry skin.

Answer 6

Could be her dog food...Check the label. If there is corn & other cereals, change her to a better brand, one with NO cereals & fillers. Store brands & cheaper brands use tons of these so they don't have to use quality ingredients, but all they do is fill the dog up, they are not healthy. With a good quality food, their coat, skin & eyes look better, healthier & their stool sizes are smaller with lower odor as well. That is because the dog's body is using the food & the nutrients instead of just passing the cereals & fillers through. Also, ask you vet about a liquid called DermaCap, I believe is the name of it. You just put a couple of squirts on her food.
If you do change her dog food, be sure to do it gradually so as not to cause stomach upset & diarrhea.

Answer 7

Allergies and chronic dry skin will always be a constant battle. Try putting a little extra fat in your dogs diet. Or put some fish oil on top to help with the issue. If it is allergies than she will need to bathed once a week and wiped down with puppy wipes every day.

If it is dry skin with dander than bath as little as possible and always use conditioner.

Answer 8

I had a dog with a bad skin problem......what I found that eventually worked was everyday I gave him a vitamin E capsule and the problem went away permanently. I found this in a holistic book for pets. I also gave him a B1 low dose supplement everyday to keep fleas, and mosquito's away, and a garlic pill everyday to keep out worms. The dog thrived. Good luck.

Answer 9

First find out what the underlying cause is. Sounds like allergies, but I'm not a vet.

Switch to food with no grains at all or try home cooked or raw feeding. Also add some fish oil to her food.

Answer 10

We raise Poms and Bichons. One of our Bichons had severe skin problems. Vet after vet, shot after shot, cream after cream. no one knew what the problem was, One vet even said to have Him neutered as it was hereditary. So we did. Still his skin condition got so bad we thought they were going to have to amputate his tail. One day I stopped at another vet by accident. He said to bring him in as they knew already what it was. Yep, it was his food, he had severe food allergies. Once we switched to a good quality food. all his skim problems cleared up and have never returned.
Try another vet and see what they have to say about switching her food.
You may want to try switching to a good quality food. One where the first couple ingredients are NOT corn, or any of the meals.
They cost a little more, but it sure is worth it.