Ointments or supplements for scratched itchy skin?

[summerl0ve]

Hi I'm new here, I've got an english pointer/ lab/ springer, he's mostly pointer looking tho, 2 yrs old. he's really strong, big chested, long legged and can run for miles, not very manageable on a lead, but soooo good natured and caring and we love him to bits.

I've long since realised the only place suitable to take him for 'walks' (thundering about at a million miles an hour) is in the woods so he can race around like a loony. All well and good but his legs, belly and chest get scratched and shredded by the endless brambles and undergrowth he tears through, and then the scratching begins. he's really to big to bath/shower, i give a little wash and dry him, and remove thorns, he's very short haired.

Can anyone recommend any creams/ lotions or food supplements? I'm using E45 and fish oils in his food, but not really having a big difference.

Any tips would be great I'm a 'first timer' with dogs... xx

[Lizcat]

Evening primrose oil is higher in the correct EFAs for skin than fish oils so I would switch to that. Rinsing of legs and feet with clean water after a walk really helps these itch dogs. Episoothe shampoo is also great for these dogs and humilac spray too.

[Lizcat]

Also meant to say being unmanageable for you on a lead would be unacceptable for me and I would be doing additional training classes to fix that. No matter how big the dog is it can learn to walk politely on the lead - my dog groomer who is less than 5foot walks two 80Kg leonbergers at the same time with no problems. An interim measure would be to use a halti or gentle leader to get some control.

[summerl0ve]

Lizcat thanks for tips re primrose oil, and I'll look into the spray you've mentioned too. I can walk him on a harness, he's just got so much energy its not much fun for him, thats all x