Alfie is not so good.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Does he itch without the clothing on, too? Was wondering if the warm air held close to his body by the clothing during the day and PJ's at night can start him itching or something.

Yes, I wouldn't normally dress him except for a coat, we bought clothes to stop him being able to get to his skin so they are part of the prevention measures.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by Farleys

I was also thinking this same thing.
I also know of some dogs with SEVERE skin problems and keeping them shaved very short everywhere makes them feel soooo much better. There skin is able to breathe. And helps alot with yeast infections too. My best friend just rescued a dog that has mange. As soon as his hair starts to grow he gets yeast infection all over his back and legs. Which i know is secondary infection from all the sores and itching. When she shaves him, it drys up and heals and he is much less itchy.

We only use clothes to stop him getting to his skin. He looks really fluffy in his pictures but his hair is really quite thin, when he had bald patches these were the areas that bothered him most and were he then developed a horrible rash.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by Farleys

Yep, i am aware of all these things. I have 2 dogs with severe skin problems as well.
Apple cider vinegar does not effect any oral treatments or food trials.
You bathe them in it. IT gives almost immediate releif. For open sores you must dilute with water tho.
I PERSONALLY avoid steroids. They Do not treat anything, they simply cover up symptoms.
However from all the research i have done( not saying this is true) Dogs and cats neither one are BORN with allergies to food. They have to be exposed to them for quite some time before this can occur. SO chances of a puppy that young having food allergies is not common. But eleminating certain foods can help certain symptoms.
I have been a tech for 14+ years so have dealth with alot of allergies in cats and dogs.

I have already found where I can get it here and will order it to have a go. The vets are both baffled as you say he is very young to have allergies hence the mite treatments just to make sure.

[MishyMish]

Theres gotta be something that imports or just as good over there. Maybe you can reach out to the members here that are from your area and see what they choose.

[jeane]

i hope you find some answers soon . he is lucky to have you

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Mistymillar

I have already found where I can get it here and will order it to have a go. The vets are both baffled as you say he is very young to have allergies hence the mite treatments just to make sure.

It takes a very long time to get these mites under control and for the entire mess to get turned around. You must expect to treat these nasty mites for at least a year, so you have to be consistant and persistant with the treatment, if that is indeed the diagnosis. While the mites are a terrible thing, and the baby is so miserable, I hope that is a correct diagnosis as it can be effectively treated. Just keep going with the oral treatment with the Ivermectin....give him meds/supplements that will boost his immune system. Praying you begin to see some relief for your baby...this is a horrific looking, miserable feeling condition, and I pray for relief for this baby.

[Verbena]

Bless his little heart. I hope they find something to give him relief. Good thoughts go out to you both

[kjc]

What kind of brush do you use on him?

[my2boyz]

Have you had a skin scraping done or a biopsy of the site? I wouldn't just treat for mites without knowing whether they are there or not. We had to do treatments on our first Yorkie and they are hard on them. We were also given a cream to rub on him for some relief.

Please make sure the food you are feeding doesn't contain tapioca, rice, grains or potatoes. If this is a yeast issue all of those things will only make it worse.

I would also cut his hair short...not only will it give him some relief but it will also give you and your vet a chance to really see what's going on...the hair will grow back, believe me. Boog lost about 99% of his hair when he was a puppy because of Demodectic mange but once he was treated his coat grew in shiny and beautiful.

Good luck with your baby...I truly know how hard this is on all of you.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by kjc

What kind of brush do you use on him?

We actually don't use a brush but a metal comb. The first problems he had were after he had a few matts cut out, I think that is why it took a few weeks to recognise there was an issue as he looked like he had a little baldness, then it got bigger and at first I thought this was only due to his growth. Right now he is only aBout 24 weeks,
He matts a lot it is like the new platinum White hair strangles the older coat, we comb every day but concentrate on shoulders, neck and face, his muzzle drives him mad with itch when he drinks, his back and underarms front he scratches til he bleeds ( if he gets even a second of freedom from clothes) he bites his front paws and hind quarters like a cartoon character eating corn, again as soon as his skin is free of cover.
I think the clothes make him matt more than he would naked, but the matts are better than the bleeding slices he cuts into himself without clothes.
He is such a good, gorgeous, loving boy, generally happy and only unhappy because we make him wear clothes and stop him scratching and eating himself. He knows he isn't supposed to so sometimes hides on the stairs to try to scratch and gnaw.
He can be ok for a few hours, but ten seconds of unsupervised nakedness can leave him bleeding and raw and we just have to manage that for right now.
Anyway you asked about his brush? He has several, but we only use his metal comb as this is what getsmhis matts out.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

Have you had a skin scraping done or a biopsy of the site? I wouldn't just treat for mites without knowing whether they are there or not. We had to do treatments on our first Yorkie and they are hard on them. We were also given a cream to rub on him for some relief.

Please make sure the food you are feeding doesn't contain tapioca, rice, grains or potatoes. If this is a yeast issue all of those things will only make it worse.

I would also cut his hair short...not only will it give him some relief but it will also give you and your vet a chance to really see what's going on...the hair will grow back, believe me. Boog lost about 99% of his hair when he was a puppy because of Demodectic mange but once he was treated his coat grew in shiny and beautiful.

Good luck with your baby...I truly know how hard this is on all of you.

Thank you, he has had two scrapings, both have been negative for mites but he has had aggressive treatment for this anyway as nobody apparently can believe he has such a serious allergy at his age.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by jeane

i hope you find some answers soon . he is lucky to have you

Thank you for saying that, cos right now I am really frustrated, I can't make him better and that is really upsetting. Vets don't really know what is going on either so we are all letting this sweet wee boy down.
I want to cry, but what will that change?