itchy, itchy, itchy... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

carladean · 05-11-2009, 12:06 PM

Molly has been scratching a lot lately. I have looked her over from top to bottom but can't find a tick, flea, bump, rash or anything. She is sleeping OK, and not lethargic like one of our big dogs was when he had tick fever last year.

I was wondering about giving her Benedryl, and my vet's office said it was OK with a dose of 1 mg per lb. I will do that if she can't rest, but other than that would rather not give it to her.

I changed shampoo's a while back to a baby shampoo, so I switched that back this weekend, hoping an oatmeal soap I'd used before would give her some relief, but it didn't seem to do much.

If there are no other symptoms, how long should I let it go before taking her to the vet? I really don't have the money for that right now, but will find it if I need to.

Input?

Carla

BonBon · 05-11-2009, 12:14 PM

How old is Molly? What type of food are you feeding her? What areas on her body is she scratching?

Human shampoo has a different ph balance than dog shampoos, so the baby shampoo may have dried her skin out causing her to itch. If so, I think it will probably take more than one wash with a good quality dog shampoo to get her skin back in line.

Ellie May · 05-11-2009, 12:15 PM

Where is she scratching?
Did you try the Benadryl and did it work?
Did you change foods lately?
Are her eyes watery or red?

carladean · 05-11-2009, 12:21 PM

She is two years old. If she can reach it, she is either biting or scratching it.

I didn't even think about the ph in the shampoos. I'll do another oatmeal bath tonight, and let her air dry instead of blow dry.

I can't think of the brand of food right now. I think it's Little Bites, Purina maybe? I haven't changed her food in the past year or so.

It just occurred to me that I have been giving her bites of banana. I know those make my husband's tongue itch (weird, I know...), so I'll put a stop to that and see if it helps.

Her eyes aren't red or tearing more than normal.

I didn't try the Benedryl yet 'cos I didn't know the correct dose. And as the vet tech told me, that could just be treating a symptom and not the cause.

Thanks for your responses!

5 Yorkies Mom · 05-11-2009, 03:44 PM

Have you considered allergies? My vet told me that when they bite and scratch alot it's allergies.

Britster · 05-11-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carladean

She is two years old. If she can reach it, she is either biting or scratching it.

I didn't even think about the ph in the shampoos. I'll do another oatmeal bath tonight, and let her air dry instead of blow dry.

I can't think of the brand of food right now. I think it's Little Bites, Purina maybe? I haven't changed her food in the past year or so.

It just occurred to me that I have been giving her bites of banana. I know those make my husband's tongue itch (weird, I know...), so I'll put a stop to that and see if it helps.

Her eyes aren't red or tearing more than normal.

I didn't try the Benedryl yet 'cos I didn't know the correct dose. And as the vet tech told me, that could just be treating a symptom and not the cause.

Thanks for your responses!

Could be the shampoo. Purina is not a good food at all and could very well be the cause. Some dogs are allergic to corn, soy, etc and that food is filled with nasty by products and fillers.

cobird2 · 05-11-2009, 04:57 PM

I've got an itchy-scratchy guy who's also about 2 years old. He's been this way since he was about 5 months old and is receiving allergy treatment and we tried a lot of remedies before getting to this point.
How long has she been itchy? Sometimes they itch so much, they can get open sores and infections.
One of the first suggestions a vet will make is the elimination diet. By taking away all foods that she's eating now and giving a grain free, fish, rabbit, or venison based diet, you can see if it's the food she's eating now. Giving salmon oil in the food also helps.
We also cut down baths to about once a month and used special shampoos from the vet.
I hope you find some relief for your furbaby.

pennyg · 05-11-2009, 06:59 PM

I am in the same boat. My little guy who is 3 years old is itching also. Seems to be mostly under his front legs (armpit area?) and also his face. He itches for about 10-20 mins 3 times a night. Drives me crazy!

I feed him Halo dog food. What is the best shampoo for these guys and how often to bathe...he is a little stinky guy! Is there lotion for dogs dry skin? Seems like his belly where i can see his skin is dry.

carladean · 05-12-2009, 05:20 AM

I can't believe I'm happy to say that I have found a flea, but at least I know why she was so itchy. I can handle the flea situation, and with a little Comfortis she will be all better by this evening!

I know I looked like a momma monkey last night after Molly's bath. I had her in my lap turning her all directions, pulling her legs up, picking thru her hair...ha! But I did find the source of the itching, so it was all worthwhile!

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

05-11-2009, 12:06 PM	#1
carladean No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: conway, ar Posts: 208	itchy, itchy, itchy... Molly has been scratching a lot lately. I have looked her over from top to bottom but can't find a tick, flea, bump, rash or anything. She is sleeping OK, and not lethargic like one of our big dogs was when he had tick fever last year. I was wondering about giving her Benedryl, and my vet's office said it was OK with a dose of 1 mg per lb. I will do that if she can't rest, but other than that would rather not give it to her. I changed shampoo's a while back to a baby shampoo, so I switched that back this weekend, hoping an oatmeal soap I'd used before would give her some relief, but it didn't seem to do much. If there are no other symptoms, how long should I let it go before taking her to the vet? I really don't have the money for that right now, but will find it if I need to. Input? Carla

05-11-2009, 12:14 PM	#2
BonBon Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies Posts: 10,350	How old is Molly? What type of food are you feeding her? What areas on her body is she scratching? Human shampoo has a different ph balance than dog shampoos, so the baby shampoo may have dried her skin out causing her to itch. If so, I think it will probably take more than one wash with a good quality dog shampoo to get her skin back in line. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown

05-11-2009, 12:15 PM	#3
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Where is she scratching? Did you try the Benadryl and did it work? Did you change foods lately? Are her eyes watery or red? __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

05-11-2009, 12:21 PM	#4
carladean No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: conway, ar Posts: 208	the itchy and scratchy show She is two years old. If she can reach it, she is either biting or scratching it. I didn't even think about the ph in the shampoos. I'll do another oatmeal bath tonight, and let her air dry instead of blow dry. I can't think of the brand of food right now. I think it's Little Bites, Purina maybe? I haven't changed her food in the past year or so. It just occurred to me that I have been giving her bites of banana. I know those make my husband's tongue itch (weird, I know...), so I'll put a stop to that and see if it helps. Her eyes aren't red or tearing more than normal. I didn't try the Benedryl yet 'cos I didn't know the correct dose. And as the vet tech told me, that could just be treating a symptom and not the cause. Thanks for your responses!

05-11-2009, 03:44 PM	#5
5 Yorkies Mom YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 288	Have you considered allergies? My vet told me that when they bite and scratch alot it's allergies. __________________ Maryann/ TheSassy's:Sam,Scotty,Sonny,SkyeBindi,Bro ok,Breezy,Bunnee

05-11-2009, 04:57 PM	#7
cobird2 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 837	I've got an itchy-scratchy guy who's also about 2 years old. He's been this way since he was about 5 months old and is receiving allergy treatment and we tried a lot of remedies before getting to this point. How long has she been itchy? Sometimes they itch so much, they can get open sores and infections. One of the first suggestions a vet will make is the elimination diet. By taking away all foods that she's eating now and giving a grain free, fish, rabbit, or venison based diet, you can see if it's the food she's eating now. Giving salmon oil in the food also helps. We also cut down baths to about once a month and used special shampoos from the vet. I hope you find some relief for your furbaby. __________________ Johnny, Our Big, Little Dog Last edited by cobird2; 05-11-2009 at 04:59 PM.

05-11-2009, 06:59 PM	#8
pennyg Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Posts: 47 Blog Entries: 1	I am in the same boat. My little guy who is 3 years old is itching also. Seems to be mostly under his front legs (armpit area?) and also his face. He itches for about 10-20 mins 3 times a night. Drives me crazy! I feed him Halo dog food. What is the best shampoo for these guys and how often to bathe...he is a little stinky guy! Is there lotion for dogs dry skin? Seems like his belly where i can see his skin is dry. __________________ Miz TiLLy's momma. Parti Yorkie. Never forget my TiKi and KoNa

05-12-2009, 05:20 AM	#9
carladean No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: conway, ar Posts: 208	I found a flea! I can't believe I'm happy to say that I have found a flea, but at least I know why she was so itchy. I can handle the flea situation, and with a little Comfortis she will be all better by this evening! I know I looked like a momma monkey last night after Molly's bath. I had her in my lap turning her all directions, pulling her legs up, picking thru her hair...ha! But I did find the source of the itching, so it was all worthwhile! Thanks for all of the suggestions!