my dog keeps scratching and now it's bald!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

my chihuahua keeps scratching his ear (where the ear attaches to his head) and now it's bald there. it's not fleas because I put flea drops Advantix or something on few days ago. yet he keeps scratching that same spot. i put some human antiseptic on it but he doesn't stop.

what could it be?????????? is it just a bad habit??????

Answer 1

My first thought with these types of problems is allergy. You do need to go to the vet to treat this if the dog has an open and/or infected wound.

I would change the diet to a high-quality food with no wheat, corn or soy (same for any treats). If possible, get a food that has no grain at all. Also, I would add a cold-water fish oil, such as salmon, anchovy, or krill.

Someone recommended Dinovite, but I would go with the fish oil, and you could add probiotics (friendly bacteria like acidophilus, which there are several dog products available). The first ingredient in Dinovite is flax, and that would be for omega-3 fatty acids. Dogs can more easily process the EFAs (essential fatty acids) from an animal source rather than a plant source. It has to do with the molecular make up of the EFA (flax is a short-chained omega-3 as opposed to the long-chained animal source). Flax, for some very sensitive dogs is also an allergen.

An excellent product is called Positive Health by Great Life. It's a salmon oil with pre- and probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals.
http://www.greatlife4pets.com

Answer 2

Could be a number of things. Fleas aren't completely ruled out if you haven't sprayed your house, or if the Advantix didn't get on the skin properly, or if you bathed the dog before applying it. These things could mean there are still some fleas about and they could still bite the dog before dying. Run a flea comb through him, looking for fleas or flea dirts.

It's also fairly likely to be ear mites - take him to a vet to find out. If it is, switch to revolution instead of Advantage as this kills ear mites as well as fleas.

Then again, it could be allergies, or a skin infection, Perhaps you better have a vet take a look at him so you know what it is, or you won't know how to treat it!

Chalice

Answer 3

Ok There are a few options here:
1. Your dog could have food allergies. Have you switched dog foods, if you have compair the ingredients
2 You dog could have allergies. Dogs get allergies like people do. You dog could be allergic to dust, pollen or anything like that!

The reason I know this is that my dog has been scratching for the past two years and we have considered everything out there. If you get concerned give you vet a call.

Answer 4

See a Vet. Every once in awhile my dog does this and my Vet says to give Benedryl. Check it out first. I give 25 mg. per 20 pds. Again check with your Vet.

Answer 5

I agree with everyone here.

I have a miniature schnauzer who goes bald in the summer.

With her, it's allergies to fleas and grass.

Answer 6

it could be ear mights, or it could be hot spots. Just call your vet and they should be able to recomend something with out having to pay for an office visit.

Answer 7

Definatley give your vet a call to be sure but he might need a head cone to stop him from trying to scratch, it could possibly be ear mites, maybe a skin irritation caused by anything but maybe the shampoo you use to bath him (if you do?)

Answer 8

No - it could be an irritation. Is the skin dry - are you rinsing really well after bathes?

You can get a anti-itch spray from your vet that will help.

Answer 9

Sounds like your pet may have ear mites.You can purchase ear mite meds at any local feed supply,or you can order it from the site below.
http://www.revivalanimal.com

Answer 10

Believe it or Not, your chihuahua could have worms. If where the bald spot is has a red ring, he/she has ringworm. go to the vet to get a check up.