Licking & Scratching Problem

[Joey]

Our dog Annie is 10 months old, and she has been scratching and "preening" herself so much she now has rubbed some of her skin raw. She licks herlsef all over for 30 minutes at a time. Then, she will scratch herself for minutes.

We took her to the vet to check it out, and she has put her on Benedryl. Nothing. BAck two weeks later, and she was put on Prozac. This helped, but then when she was finished with this cycle, it started all over.

We have changed detergent, new oatmeal shampoo, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Please, does anyone know of why she will not stop scratching/licking?

Thank you all,

Joey

 

[BeckyNC]

Earlier this year I read an interesting book written by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. He's a very well known DVM (I think he's a DVM) and behaviorist at Tufts. I think the book was called The Dog Who Loved Too Much. He has chapters in the book about treating dogs with similar issues, if I remember correctly. I can't help but wonder if Annie is having some obsessive tendancies, especially since the vet put her on Prozac. I checked the book out from my local library. It might provide you with some useful information.

 

[Joey]

So you think this might be a behavioral issue? Hmm, I never thought of that. Well, if that is the case I will not keep her on Prednizon (sp?). There has to be some other reason. In any event, I will check out that book. Thank you for the tips!

-Joey

PS...I made the mistake, it is not Prozac...it was Prednizon.

 

[BeckyNC]

No, no! You know what...your vet has 100% more of a clue than me. If your vet has her on prednisone, then it is probably allergy-related (or he thinks it is). Prozac is used to treat obsessive behaviors, so I was thinking the vet might feel she was obsessively licking herself.

Have you tried doing a search for allergies on BW? I am sure other people have had similar experiences.

Have you changed Annie's food? Could she be allergic to something in her food? I know the vet usually sells a food for this, but there are also probably better kibbles on the market for dogs that are allergic to certain ingredients.

I also recently read a post from a BW member whose dog is allergic to the yeast that naturally occurs on his own body.

You will probably get more responses as today progresses. Hopefully some will be from people who have been in your shoes in the past.

 

[amy519]

I have a five-year old female boxer who does the same thing. We took her to the vet and found out that she's just got really bad allergies. It mainly happens in the summer and dies down once it gets cold outside. She concentrates mostly between her toes, what about yours? The vet gives her a shot of cortizone every few months, and I supplement with Benadryl (twice a day). We actually took out the carpet in our home and put down hardwood floors, which has worked wonders. All the allergens and dander were just embedded in the carpet and making her itch more. I also use a lot of "pet friendly" household items, cleaners, detergents, etc. All that stuff helps a sensitive boxer. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Joey]

Thanks for the info! Well, we tried to change her food and nothing has changed. She is still itching and licking. So, we are going to do what you have done and ask for her to get a Cort. shot. What type of benedryll are you using, and how many? Unfortunatly we cannot pull up the carpet yet, hopefully it will slow for the winter. I vacuum every day now to help her out. I just feel bad for her.

Thanks for all the tips! Keep em coming.

-Joey

Here is our Annie!

 

[amy519]

What a beauty!
I give Peyton two first thing in the morning, and two at night. I don't buy the expensive namebrand kind, just Target brand allergy medicine ( in the pink box ). Having a dog is expensive enough, and honestly, it's the same thing.
I'm not sure how yours is on taking pills, I just stick them in a scoop of peanut butter. She loves taking her medicine!

 

[ulbsterx]

chicken allergy?

We dealt w/ the hives, itching, scratching and chewing with our male for over six months, starting when he was 4 mos. After trying every allergy pill and changing everything like detergent, cleaners, etc. etc., we started trying simpler measures. I had read that some dogs are allergic to chicken and/or corn based foods which he had been eating solely. He had also been on Benadryl, but it didn't really show any improvement. Literally about four days after we changed his food to a salmon and brown rice formula and added fish oil supplements to his food, he was fine! Also, we changed his shampoo to "hylite." He seems to also have a small allergy to Advantage and Frontline or any other pesticide. He has been fine for about 1 1/2 years on this program. Good luck!

 

[binky]

Been there, done that with allergies. My Scooby has severe allergies. After working with traditional vet, holistic vet and MUCH research on the internet, I've been able to get him off Prednisone. YAHOO! Scooby's not 100% better yet, but he is less pink most of the time and his chronic ear infections are minimal now. When he has flare-ups, he scratches his belly, his armpits, his rectum area, his ears, and he chews, chews, chews on his feet.

He has yeast problems, thus he's on a grain-free, yeast-free diet, which I provide thru home cooking his meals. I've found the following 3 websites to be very helpful:

http://www.purelypets.com/articles/yseabinfections.htm

http://www.westiemed.com/malassezia/

http://www.api4animals.org/508.htm

I also recommend the following book as a great overall resource:

Dr. Pitcairn's Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats

One final website that I have recently been referred to is:

http://www.nzymes.com/

I've not yet tried the products, but have been in contact with a couple of people that have used them with great success. At this point, I'm thinking of contacting the company this week and give them a try......we'll see.

It's a long, tough road, but well worth it to get my boy off all the meds. Antibiotics only make the problem worse and long term affects of steroids are BAD!

Hope this helps.

 

[SadiePaprika]

To Itch and Not to Itch

My dog was on Iams. Then I was told should try Nutri (now I can't remember the name offhand) but she started to itch so bad that she was getting scabs. Now she has been on Canidae for quite some time. The scabs cleared up and she was doing much better. Well, now this summer she started the itching (not as bad as before). It's a wonderful healthy dog food that I like her to have. However, it does have chicken meal and I'm thinking would be helpful for her to have something with salmon oil in it. I saw at the pet supply store there is a dog food with it in which I am seriously considering. Tired of listening to her itch in the morning!

Curious to note that I have a friend who doesn't have a lot of money and has a very trim, healthy, beautiful furred, never had an ear infection or itch boxer (also three years old) who has always been fed Purina dog food. She thinks because there is the exra fat in it that helps the skin. Makes one wonder.