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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

What is making my dog so itchy?

15 replies

Thunderpunt · 30/08/2022 20:25

My 8 year old mixed breed mutt has become really really itchy. Initially around the base of his tail and around his back legs and belly.
He was due his annual jabs so spoke to the vet about it while we were there.
No evidence of fleas, but had both flea and worm treatment as he usually does, plus his anal glands done. She suggested Piriton - so for 10 days he's been on 4mg tablets twice a day.
But he's still so itchy, he loves nothing more than a good scratch! Seems to be less frantic about it - he had made the base of of his tail a bit red originally but that calmed down.
No change in his food, he isn't bathed so no products used on him. Can't work out if it's an allergy - if so why isn't Piriton working?
Anyone got any ideas? Or do I have to go down the route of allergy testing with him?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 30/08/2022 20:27

What flea treatment do you use?
Have they done any skin scrapes?
Mine was food allergy. Chicken was the main culprit. What do you feed?

JustLikeJasper · 30/08/2022 20:33

@Thunderpunt my dog has been exactly the same for over a week now. No fleas and food hasn't changed in years. Only difference is we have recently moved house and moved rurally so I initially thought it was something in the fields. Do let me know if you find out what caused it. Hope your doggy feels better soon

StarDolphins · 30/08/2022 20:33

Is it his tail near his bum? Could it be blocked anal gland?

the other thing could be good or grass…

what do you feed him? & does he have dog treats?

my dog had terrible itchy skin but now under control with Burns sensitive- fuck & rice or pork & potato he has.

my vet said dog treats are terrible for dogs skin.

Original poster
Thunderpunt · 30/08/2022 20:59

@Wolfiefan flea treatment is the one a month tablet the vet gives me - can't remember the name off top of head, and no haven't had skin scrapes done, think that's the next step. (Although would prefer to avoid that for cost reasons!)

@JustLikeJasper well that's a coincidence! We have also just moved house, but literally only 2 miles down the road. Only difference is we walk along the river a lot more, he's not a swimmer tho but does like a paddle if he finds a shallow bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thunderpunt · 30/08/2022 21:02

@StarDolphins had his anal glands done as I did wonder that but vet thinks not as they were pretty clear.
No change to his food so unless he's developed an allergy or intolerance recently I'm not sure how it could be that. He doesn't really get treats, in fact he's not a greedy/big eater, he can often just walk away from his food if he's not ready for it

OP posts:
StarDolphins · 30/08/2022 21:31

@Thunderpunt cod it be something near/in the river then? Something seasonal maybe? I would try & avoid that area & see if it improves or it might be some sort of summer bug/grass that’s not agreeing with him, it has been really hot this year.

is he insured? I would try eliminating things before a scrape.

my dog only developed his food allergy at 4 & I still don’t know what it is that he’s allergic to but by having a reduced ingredient diet instead of commercial tinned dog food, it’s done the trick.- all he has is burns dog biscuits & some cooked chicken to make it taste nice & as long as I keep him on it, he’s not itching.

Original poster
Thunderpunt · 30/08/2022 21:39

I did wonder about the river so yes will try and avoid for a bit. He's on Iams dry food and forthglade wet trays to jazz it up, he's a dreadful eater anyway but these seem to be the two things he will eat. He is insured but if we get the scrapes done I'll probably pay as the excess is about £150...

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 30/08/2022 21:47

If you’ve moved house could it be something in the carpets? Something in the garden?

FlorencePennnywell · 31/08/2022 00:22

Consider harvest mites - the bites cause itchy skin at this time of year. My vet said she's seeing a lot of it right now and very common

mountainsunsets · 31/08/2022 09:03

If it only started when you moved house, it could be a reaction to something like the carpets in the new house?

Don't discount stress either. Stress can cause itching - which then irritates the skin, so they scratch and it makes them more stressed.

How did he find the move in general?

Original poster
Thunderpunt · 31/08/2022 20:05

Hmmm yes could be the stress of the move, he's a pretty needy/anxious dog at the best of times, but he seems to have settled well, loves the new big garden and chooses to spend time out there even when I'm not out there (he rarely did at our old house as it was a bit small and boring so would always come straighten back in to find me) and seems to be happy here, eating well, sleeping well etc.

Again could be harvest mites although the vet was very thorough when she looked at him and didn't mention it.
I think I'll get an appointment and take him back to see her.
Thanks all for the suggestions

OP posts:
Original poster
Thunderpunt · 31/08/2022 20:07

And yes did wonder about the carpets... they're pretty old and a bit rubbish and there's only 2 rooms with carpets which he goes in....
Will take all these suggestions to the vet!

OP posts:
BodenCardiganNot · 31/08/2022 20:08

Ours was itching like mad recently. Same happened this time last year. Both occasions vet gave steroids and she was right as rain after 4 days.

katieg03 · 31/08/2022 20:17

You can get good oatmeal shampoos and salmon oil in his food is good for his coat

mountainsunsets · 31/08/2022 23:20

If he spends a lot of time in the garden is there anything out there he could be allergic to?

Pollen from a new tree or a new plant?

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