Dog not herself - any ideas?

[Marthasfishbowl]

Looking for advice: our 7 month old golden retreiver has slept peacefully through the night since the first night we got her (9 weeks old). Last night, after a completely normal evening, she went to bed as normal around 10 (she sleeps in the kitchen) and woke us crying & barking around 12. DH went down to her & let her out for a wee. She wimpered a little bit after that then settled until 3:45 when she woke us again.

This time when he was seeing to her there was a crash & we became worried we had burglers & that was what had disturbed her. After a good prowl we decided that was a red herring - think the toilet seat fell down! Anyway, DH at this point noticed her scratching and felt her back. Lots of tiny little bumps. Allergy? Bites?

She woke again around 7 but this is normal time. This morning she's obviously irritated by the itch - her wimpers remind me of Chewbacca from Star Wars. She's also licking herself a fair bit. Not just her bits but she's obv interested, so the other thought is: could this be the beginning of her 1st season?

We've rung the vet but as it's not an emergency they won't see her till Monday. Any ideas? Should I try other vets? Grateful for any responses as I feel so sorry for her.

[batsintheroof]

You might be able to find another vets that will take her today. Here the most expensive vets always have space on a Saturday. I know you can give dogs common human antihistamines if it's an allergy, but don't know which ones are safe.

[Marthasfishbowl]

Thanks bats. Vet just rang back with a cancellation so DH has taken her. She's been scratching more than licking & there's no sign of fleas (plus she hasn't bumped into any other dogs for a few days) so I'm guessing an allergy to something she nibbled or brushed against on her walk yesterday.

[Marthasfishbowl]

Vet said probably fox mites. Gave her a steroid injection. She's crashed out in front of the fire now.

[Marthasfishbowl]

Uh oh! Just googled. Vet told DH that we couldn't catch them but have just googled and found that we can. Type of mange/scabbies. Won't last long in humans because we're the wrong host. Does anyone have experience of this? Do I need to start steaming the carpets?

[daisydotandgertie]

No! Wait and see if he's right first. Even then, it's very unlikely.

Did he take a skin scrape to check his diagnosis? What is the cure for them? If it is mites, what will kill them off? They can't just stay there with steroids to control the itch.

A bath with a drop or two of tea tree is soothing if the itching starts again, and one human anti histamine is ok to give a dog of that size.

It's not a normal sign of season starting; that tends to be swelling bits and lots of wees. Sometimes a change of temperament too.

[Marthasfishbowl]

Thanks. Have relaxed a bit. Vet didn't take a skin scrape - she said treating with Advocate would do the trick whatever it was that caused the itch. We gave her a bath before she went to the vet. Puppy is a lot happier and slept soundly last night.