Lately my 4 1/2 month old shih tzu has been scratching like crazy. I have been bathing her once a week and think this may be causing her skin to dry so I am trying to wait longer. As far as fleas I am giving her the pill type flea medication so I hope that is not the issue. I check her regularly and haven't found any fleas nor any red patches of skin. She does come everywhere with me even work. This is why I felt the need to bathe her weekly. I think her diet is fine since I've had her she has been eating royal canin puppy food. If I have bathed her too much and need to moisturize her skin what can I use. This is my first experience with a long haired breed and was wondering if part of this is just their nature?? I brush her every night and have had her trimmed twice. Any suggestions???
2007-12-11 01:46:57 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Allergies. May need to take her to the vet for a shot to stop the itching, & help the allergies.
2007-12-11 01:50:21 · answer #1 · answered by Sassafrass AKA: SASSY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No flea pill alone will keep fleas away - unless you're feeding her a Capstar every single day! If it's Program or Sentinel, these only prevent fleas by sterilising the adults, it doesn't work if fleas are already present. No flea treatment bought from a pet store, including tablets, powders, spot-ons or shampoos will work.
I agree that Royal Canin is good food, but animals can become allergic to good foods too! The first thing I would do is start treating her regularly with a complete flea treatment/preventative such as Frontline, Revolution, Advocate or Advantage. If this does not resolve the scratching, I would see a vet. Excess scratching is not normal for any animal.
You also need to wait 48 hours before AND AFTER bathing before you can apply any of the above spot-ons or they can't work properly.
Chalice
2007-12-12 08:39:03 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're feeding her a great food but check to see if they have a formula that has no wheat in it. Wheat is the #1 culprit for skin allergies. Also instead of bathing her once a week change to once a month.
Also you can purchase a product called Linetone. It's an oil that you put on their food. There is a special formula for skin allergies, itchy skin, etc. This will help initially and the food change should help to maintain her healthy skin and coat.
Also when you bathe her try either an oatmeal bath (check Petsmart or Petco for an oatmeal based shampoo and conditioner) or a shampoo called Tegrin. It's a dandruff shampoo found in your local grocery store. NOT head and shoulders but the name is actually Tegrin.
Good Luck
2007-12-11 02:28:35 · answer #3 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a shih tzu too or at least a mix who also used to scratch a lot. Still does, but not nearly as much. We adopted her at age 6 and were a little concerned at 1st too because of all the scratching thinking that may be she had a rash. When we took her for her 1st vet visit post adoption, the vet said she suffers from medium to severe dry skin and/or chronic scratcher, probably a combination. I was given a brand of shampoo specifically for dry skin and lotion to go with it. Oatmeal was probably in it. I honestly don't have a clue what brands that she gave us, but that doesn't seem important because i've done it ever since with various brands with the same concept. Good luck.
2007-12-11 01:59:13 · answer #4 · answered by Cuteasapup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try giving her fish oil in her food. You can buy it in the capsule form in most supermarkets. That will help if she has dry skin.
Stop baithing her. A dog should only get (at the most) 1 bath per month. I have larger dogs that do not get as dirty since they are further from the ground and they only get 2 bath's per month. I do bathe them more if they get muddy.
Benadryl is safe for dogs but you would have to call your vet for the proper dosage since I do not know that for a puppy. I believe it is 1-2 mgs per lb of body weight. That will help if it is an allergy.
Also, you can try to switch her food to a low allergy formula. I do not know where you are located, Wellness makes an allergy formula food that works great, it is called Simple Food Solutions.
Good luck
2007-12-11 01:56:19 · answer #5 · answered by littleladybud4512 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the vet gives her a clean bill of health then I suggest bathing every 3-4 weeks and use an oatmeal shampoo. It's good for dry skin. Be sure to rinse well.
2007-12-11 01:56:55 · answer #6 · answered by Coop's Wife 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the dog food bag/can. Many of the oriental breeds are allergic to corn, wheat, soy. She does not need a bath every week!!!!!!!!
2007-12-11 02:00:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
allergies. to anything. fleas, food, carpet cleaner. use hypo allergenic shampoo. dont bathe her as often, maybe you are washing away essential oils her body needs. its colder out now, and just like humans we get dry skin
2007-12-11 01:55:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you bathe her to often. the water is drying out her skin and what are you bathing her in like shampoo and conditioner, have you tired other shampoo and conditioner mabey the one you are useing now could have something in it that is irretating her skin try and get shampoo and conditoner that is not sented with perfume. its one or the other
2007-12-11 01:54:54 · answer #9 · answered by bubbles10001000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go into the bagged spice section of your local grocery store and get thyme, boil water and drop the thyme leaves into the water and turn heat off and let steep for 5 minutes. strain thyme leaves out of water let cool and pour into spray bottle. spray your dog and leave tea in hair, you can comb it in if you want. thyme works for many skin irritations and you can use it on yourself too..
2007-12-11 02:03:29 · answer #10 · answered by cocky_whitegirl1488 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋