Itching?

princessjodi · 08-01-2005, 12:32 PM

Hi Everyone!

Joules consistently itches / scratches herself! I have her on K9 Advantix and I haven't found any fleas or anything in the house, or on her...so, I don't think it is fleas, etc. I also leave her collar off while she is in the house because the buckle had created a bald spot on her throat (no it was not too tight, I could fit 2 fingers and then some between the collar and her). I thought maybe the collar was bothering her, but she continues to itch! I can't find any bug bites or anything on her. She hasn't itched so much that hair has come off or created a sore. I have her bathed about every 10 weeks or so at Petsmart and I asked what kind of shampoo they use and they said Raspberry Oatmeal. I know oatmeal is supposed to help dry skin and I explained the situation to them and they said the shampoo should help it. I had her bathed last right after the July 4 holiday and her itching has still continued.

I am thinking she just has sensitive skin (I have sensitive skin and I know when it gets dry I itch). She is about out of dogfood so I was thinking of getting a sensitive skin formula. Is there something else I could do? It doesn't seem as though she is constantly bothered, but if it is something I can fix I would rather do it sooner than later.

Any suggestions / thoughts?

Thanks!

Sheltiemama · 08-01-2005, 01:22 PM

I think it's time for a vet check. Sounds like your pup may have airborn allergies, or is having some kind of a reaction to her environment or possibly her food. You mentioned her food, is there any wheat gluten or corn listed in the ingredients? For her sores try steeping some strong green or black tea, let it cool to room temp and swab the areas that are open to soothe the itching.

JackLover · 08-01-2005, 01:48 PM

Could it be a mite has she been checked?

IceyBlueSibes · 08-01-2005, 01:48 PM

I agree. A vet check is in order to rule out any possible allergies. The first and foremost allergy to check is food allergies. So maybe a possible change of her diet could help. What are you feeding her? Lower quality foods can sometimes cause allergies in dogs.

But definetly a vet check first to rule out any other problems.

princessjodi · 08-01-2005, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the replies!

As for her food, the shelter had her on Iams and I immediately took her off (personal reasons). I put her on Purina Healthy Morsels (or something like that). I have always fed my dogs Purina, but I have been reading into the different foods and I will be switching her. My bf's friend gave us some Beneful he had left b/c his dog doesn't like it and since we are about out I gave some to Joules and to her credit, she flips her dish upside down and doesn't eat. lol I will probably be switching to Eagle Pack Lamb & Rice Holistic. It seems to have the best ingredients, easy to get, and the best value.

I think I will hold off on the vet until a week or so after I switch her food and see if that does the trick. Like I said, she isn't itching constantly and has no sores. Her coat is shiny and her eyes are clear and her energy level is normal. She is eating (except for the Beneful) fine and she eliminates on schedule. Nothing unusual in her stools either. But I have noticed she itches 3 - 5 times a night...usually when we are playing (at least that is when I notice it anyways).

Where could she have gotten a mite? She is strictly an indoor dog, except when walk around our complex. We just finished an obedience class but she really wasn't around other dogs persay because she has social issues (we are currently working on). She was behind a draped ex pen during the classes. We did take her to the dog beach a few weeks ago though. She tramped around in the water and the sand.

She did have a check up at the vet a week or so after we got her in mid-May. Everything was hunky dory then and I don't really remember her scratching / itching so I didn't mention it to the vet.

JackLover · 08-01-2005, 04:26 PM

Seems like you have it all covered, iams is a very bad food so you are doing the right thing I wopuld just give her time to settle and see how it goes

princessjodi · 08-01-2005, 04:32 PM

Thanks!

If she does have sensitive skin, I wasn't sure if I should be adding oil or something to her food to help with it.

JackLover · 08-02-2005, 05:27 AM

All mine have Mult oil added to their food they love it, it helps with dry itchy skin, and excessive multing

Leon · 08-02-2005, 07:43 AM

Did she scratch before you put K9 Advantix on her? It can cause a lot of itching.

princessjodi · 08-02-2005, 08:30 AM

Leon - you know, I can't recall if she scratched before the K9 Advantix. That might be it...

Maybe this month instead of putting it on her, I think I will try the olive oil / garlic thing and see if she stops scratching. I was wanting to try it anyways, but I bought a 6 mo supply of the K9 so I thought I would wait until I was done with it.

She doesn't scratch where I put it on her though...but like I said, I think I will skip it this month and see what happens.

Thanks for the tip!

)

08-01-2005, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
princessjodi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 251 Rep Power: 66	Itching? Hi Everyone! Joules consistently itches / scratches herself! I have her on K9 Advantix and I haven't found any fleas or anything in the house, or on her...so, I don't think it is fleas, etc. I also leave her collar off while she is in the house because the buckle had created a bald spot on her throat (no it was not too tight, I could fit 2 fingers and then some between the collar and her). I thought maybe the collar was bothering her, but she continues to itch! I can't find any bug bites or anything on her. She hasn't itched so much that hair has come off or created a sore. I have her bathed about every 10 weeks or so at Petsmart and I asked what kind of shampoo they use and they said Raspberry Oatmeal. I know oatmeal is supposed to help dry skin and I explained the situation to them and they said the shampoo should help it. I had her bathed last right after the July 4 holiday and her itching has still continued. I am thinking she just has sensitive skin (I have sensitive skin and I know when it gets dry I itch). She is about out of dogfood so I was thinking of getting a sensitive skin formula. Is there something else I could do? It doesn't seem as though she is constantly bothered, but if it is something I can fix I would rather do it sooner than later. Any suggestions / thoughts? Thanks!

08-01-2005, 01:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
JackLover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 293 Rep Power: 63	Could it be a mite has she been checked?
	__________________ "Jack Russell Terriers are like potato chips one is never enough"

08-01-2005, 01:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,562 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 261	I agree. A vet check is in order to rule out any possible allergies. The first and foremost allergy to check is food allergies. So maybe a possible change of her diet could help. What are you feeding her? Lower quality foods can sometimes cause allergies in dogs. But definetly a vet check first to rule out any other problems.
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

08-01-2005, 04:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
JackLover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 293 Rep Power: 63	Seems like you have it all covered, iams is a very bad food so you are doing the right thing I wopuld just give her time to settle and see how it goes
	__________________ "Jack Russell Terriers are like potato chips one is never enough"

08-02-2005, 05:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
JackLover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 293 Rep Power: 63	All mine have Mult oil added to their food they love it, it helps with dry itchy skin, and excessive multing
	__________________ "Jack Russell Terriers are like potato chips one is never enough"

08-01-2005, 01:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sheltiemama Shelties forever! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 693 Rep Power: 76	I think it's time for a vet check. Sounds like your pup may have airborn allergies, or is having some kind of a reaction to her environment or possibly her food. You mentioned her food, is there any wheat gluten or corn listed in the ingredients? For her sores try steeping some strong green or black tea, let it cool to room temp and swab the areas that are open to soothe the itching.

08-01-2005, 03:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
princessjodi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 251 Rep Power: 66	Thanks for the replies! As for her food, the shelter had her on Iams and I immediately took her off (personal reasons). I put her on Purina Healthy Morsels (or something like that). I have always fed my dogs Purina, but I have been reading into the different foods and I will be switching her. My bf's friend gave us some Beneful he had left b/c his dog doesn't like it and since we are about out I gave some to Joules and to her credit, she flips her dish upside down and doesn't eat. lol I will probably be switching to Eagle Pack Lamb & Rice Holistic. It seems to have the best ingredients, easy to get, and the best value. I think I will hold off on the vet until a week or so after I switch her food and see if that does the trick. Like I said, she isn't itching constantly and has no sores. Her coat is shiny and her eyes are clear and her energy level is normal. She is eating (except for the Beneful) fine and she eliminates on schedule. Nothing unusual in her stools either. But I have noticed she itches 3 - 5 times a night...usually when we are playing (at least that is when I notice it anyways). Where could she have gotten a mite? She is strictly an indoor dog, except when walk around our complex. We just finished an obedience class but she really wasn't around other dogs persay because she has social issues (we are currently working on). She was behind a draped ex pen during the classes. We did take her to the dog beach a few weeks ago though. She tramped around in the water and the sand. She did have a check up at the vet a week or so after we got her in mid-May. Everything was hunky dory then and I don't really remember her scratching / itching so I didn't mention it to the vet.

08-01-2005, 04:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
princessjodi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 251 Rep Power: 66	Thanks! If she does have sensitive skin, I wasn't sure if I should be adding oil or something to her food to help with it.

08-02-2005, 07:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 65	Did she scratch before you put K9 Advantix on her? It can cause a lot of itching.
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 65

08-02-2005, 08:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
princessjodi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 251 Rep Power: 66	Leon - you know, I can't recall if she scratched before the K9 Advantix. That might be it... Maybe this month instead of putting it on her, I think I will try the olive oil / garlic thing and see if she stops scratching. I was wanting to try it anyways, but I bought a 6 mo supply of the K9 so I thought I would wait until I was done with it. She doesn't scratch where I put it on her though...but like I said, I think I will skip it this month and see what happens. Thanks for the tip! )

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