Dog Itching (not fleas)

[withalittlebitofhelp]

Hi All,

My little dog has started itching all over since Friday (not one particular spot). I’m pretty sure it’s not fleas - he has his treatment last week and cannot see any evidence.

I'm thinking it’s a skin allergy and will be taking him to the vet tomorrow but wondering what I can try and do to ease him in the meantime.

I’ve given him half a Piriton - not sure if its helped much. Would a bath be a good idea/bad idea and is there a shampoo I should use? Anything else I can give him while I wait for an appointment

He’s off his food as well, so know that he’s really suffering as is generally very food focused.

Any ideas to help him would be gratefully received.

I think a bath is a good idea. My dog is doing this and I read that fleas can live on beds/ sofas etc and hop to dog before dying (if dog treated) Am washing as much as I can at 60 degree and going to brace bathing her later with anti flea shampoo. Good luck

Thank you. Am a bit worried about what shampoo to use for him as I wonder if it’s a skin condition whether one of the harsher ones will make it worse. I do have a doggy conditioner and am wondering whether to just use that.

Yeah or maybe even try just a bath with some gentle shower gel? My dog hates baths so not looking forward to it but the itchiness must be getting to her

Use a dog shampoo, not a human one, especially if you are concerned about skin irritation. We use the animology brand. You could also get a flea comb? They are only a couple of quid.

Hibiscus wash, vets is about £10, but she said to get it from boots as it’s cheaper… that’s very soothing.

Mine has a pollen allergy and some grasses really set him off.

Could be allergy to something else? What has she eaten recently?

I’ve got several dog shampoos - just not sure what’s best to use, but think I will try and track down the hibiscus wash mentioned above.

Try an oat bath , ours has seasonal allergies

The piriton should help but one type of piriton has an active ingredient that is dangerous for dogs so please check that out

He might be reacting to the flea treatment

It could be mange - have you got an area where he goes that foxes have access to ? they often have mange and if they have brushed against vegetation then your dog brushed against it he can catch mange too ( tiny mites ) very treatable but lots of daily baths \ every 2nd day baths

Allergy to something he’s either eaten or touched ?

a gentle bath sounds like a good idea , maybe go to pet shop and buy a very gentle shampoo that treats itchy conditions

* if it is mites the baths will be with a treatment shampoo not just a general one

I think it probably is - nothing has changed with diet - but do have some of the “bland”
food in the cupboard from a previous upset tummy so think I’ll switch him
to that for a bit - that said he’s not eating his usual food, so not likely that he will eat it.

We do tend to give him scraps from our plates (within reason) so I’d be hard pressed to say exactly what he’s eaten over the past few days - for example maybe some fish and chips, the odd twiglet etc.

Check between his toes for red dots. Berry bugs are prevalent at this time of year. Could be another mite of course. Either that or he's suddenly developed an allergy to something. Have you changed washing powder/cleaning products at all? Been somewhere you don't normally go? Often it takes a bit of detective work to work out possible allergens.

Yes it is the “right” piriton (my last dog had allergies so had to take it).

This is probably a stupid question, but with the oatmeal bath - is this a product you buy - or do you literally put oats in the bath.

Oh gosh yes we do have foxes in the garden (they look healthy enough it who knows) and also badgers. I’d not even considered mange as have always had foxes

Literally put a few handfuls of plain oats into a warm bath leave til water turns milky

Perfect I can do that now - thank you.

Also - hope your dog feels better - it’s horrid watching them suffer isn’t it?

Another vote for oat baths and oats in food. Worked for my yorkie. Recently we've been fostering a French bulldog with bad skin and homemade chamomile infused shea butter cleared her itching up a treat.

Running a bath and raiding the breakfast cupboard for oats as we speak! I feel awful as he doesn’t like a bath very much, and feel like it’s another ordeal while he’s under the weather, but has to be done.

Thanks everyone - just as a bit of an update I did have to take him to the emergency vet in the end as he was looking more and more poorly;

they think likely allergies and have got steroid cream plus antibiotics and some anti-itch tablets. She also recommended Sudocream and also carrying on with the oatmeal bath

Ah pleased you’ve had him seen to we are going tomorrow with ours as he’s got a scabby ear and going for his back paws - put some sudocrem in his ear folds lastnight and for the first time in a week he got straight into bed with no scratching , it’s awful when they are poorly and look so sad and helpless