Advice for dog with severe itchy skin despite repeated vet treatment

[FattyMcFat50]

Hi. My 4 year old cavadoodle (cavapoo crossed with golden labrador) has developed a quite severe skin issue. His skin is very itchy and he went from the odd scab 3 months ago to being almost covered in scabs now. He's so itchy, he leaves a trail of skin behind him wherever he goes.

He's been to the vet several times because of this since Christmas. We have done cytopoint every 4 weeks since the itching started, medicated shampoo, special vet food (single protein), a couple of courses of antibiotics and antifungal meds. I am washing all bedding etc every couple of days with extra rinsing to make sure it's not the laundry detergent. We recently did a blood test which identified he was not allergic to any of his foods. The next step is an environmental one, but the vet has said they don't recommend it as it's very expensive (approx €400) and most environmental issues cannot be eliminated.

So I've come here in the hope anyone here could give me some advice.

I seem to come across a lot of the same products when I Google. E.g. Nutripaw. But most advice is to take the dog to the vet.

So if anyone here has experienced similar and found something that helps, I would be so grateful if you could help as my heart breaks for my poor dog.

Thanks.

I had wondered about that. I don't usually just buy into Facebook ads etc but I'm willing to try anything at this stage. He seems a little more chill and less itchy today after the steroid injection but it was the same after the cytopoint and that wore off after a few days so we'll have to see. As there is some Labrador in my dog it might be worth a shot on the nutripaw. Can I ask, does your dog take it OK or is it a bit of a struggle like pills?

Hi I’m not sure what’s it’s called but my DDog had an anti itch injection which stopped it straight away. It was about 1.5/2 times the cost of the tablets but they worked and I would 100% use it again. Before this she had had months and months of battling dry flaky skin which had started as a small patch and spread with several courses or antibiotics, steroids, creams and anti itch tablets all to no avail! Literally stopped her itching overnight and gave breathing room for her skin to heal I guess and then just went! She only had to have one injection, I can’t remember how long it lasts.

I think the cytopoint he's had a few times is meant to be anti itch. I meant to ask the vet about the other ones today mentioned up thread (apoquel and zenrelia) but I got sidetracked when I mentioned the cytopoint did nothing for him this time and she said she'd give him the steroid injection instead. I really should write things down in future!

I was going to suggest this. Not a dog expert but my go to for humans when skin issues flare up is oat baths, or salt water. Not sure if it's ok for dogs but tea treats baths are also good for human skin healing.

We have a working Labrador who started itching at about 18 months old. Ruled out environment as it happens all year round and we moved house. Vet never found any mites etc. Tried all the foods, nutripaw etc. sometimes worked for a while but then intolerance would start again.

A farmer suggested I try cheap canned meat; chappie or butchers and such like. I’m a snob so horrified, but it appears to be working! I also give him carrots, apples and other fibre help.

Am cautiously optimistic.

I wonder if a regular oat bath would do? We're pretty rural so our closest petshop is a 40 minute drive away. I could order online but it would be next week before I'd get it (I'm in rural Ireland so no next day delivery). But I do remember the oat baths being great when the kids had chicken pox.

My pug is on cytopoint, apoquel and low dose steroids at the moment- his is environmentally driven so we also use yumove for itchy skin (its got salmon oil in it), ducoux (I think its called) foam and shampoo, with bugalugs spray for his ears - nothing seems to be working 100% this year, whereas previously we have just needed cytopoint. He tried zenrilla and was allergic to it - it made him very sick.

We also wipe his paws every time he goes out for a walk to get as many allergens off his feet. That has helped!

Our vet said no to nutripaw and omni etc as they have ‘proteins’ in them which are generic and could be a source of allergy. He is also on a no chicken/ duck/ turkey diet.

We have just self referred to the dermatologist its an 8 week wait.

My 3 year old collie is currently on an elimination diet of fish and lentils to try to treat her itchy skin.

We cook the fish. Should we be giving it raw?

Although my experience is with cats, but one of mine had flareups regularly, needed steroid injections as she developed horribly itchy scabs very quickly. We got an air purifier and she hasn’t had one since (well, she started having one and a normal antihistamine sorted). This was 2.5 years ago. Might not work for dogs as my cats are indoors only but it’s worth a try.

Apoquel worked for our shepherd. You can cut the dose in the winter. Ask for a prescription and then buy online as it is expensive

‘Stinky stuff’ helped my dog when he was a puppy with a rash, google it, it won’t do any harm and might help

You know that book "ultra processed people" (among many others on the topic) - I don't know why the same idea wouldnt apply to dogs.

i.e. - feeding factory made shite to dogs can cause disease. Just like people - some get away with it without issues and some don't.

I would absolutely start with a 100% natural raw single protein diet and go from there.