Itchy Skin (allergic, vet, prescription, science)

[gizmo980]

Rudy has been REALLY itchy for about the last week, and has had this problem in the past... we have a vet appt. on Saturday, but I thought I'd ask you all for "home remedies" that help. My friend suggested adding Salmon oil to his food, which supposedly worked wonders on her Maltese mix - anyone heard of using that? I think he might have an allergy, which I'll mention to the vet, since it comes and goes... plus he seems to be generally ill this week, moping around and such. Poor baby. TIA for any advice!

P.S. We already have skin-relief shampoo, but that only seems to help for a few days at a time.

[cleosmom]

There are several reasons a dog can have itchy skin. If it's seasonal it does indeed sounds like an enironmental allergy. If you dog has low key food allergies it can kick up a notch when the environmental ones kick in.

Salmon oil is an awesome supplement to their diet. It help the skin, coat heart and joints.

[Junkman08]

First, I am by no means an expert, but can offer some advice that I think may be of some help.

We found out that our dog started itching when after we gave him pig ears. We noticed him starting to itch a few hours after he ate it.

Also he may be allergic to something in his food, dog biscuit, treats, table food, something in your yard, anything different you may have brought into the home.

If you recently gave him a bath it could be the shampoo.
We only give our dog a bath with "Oatmeal Shampoo" for dogs, any pet store should have it.

Ohh make sure you do a good job when you rinse the shampoo. If you dont get all the shampoo off it will itch for sure.

Ohh and as far as I know you should only wash your dog no more than once every 3 weeks. (I was told). because it will dry out their skin and that wold cause itching.

I hope I was of some help and I hope your dog gets rid of that itch.

[gizmo980]

Thank you both... good advice! I'll let you know what the vet says, and will definitely look into the salmon oil. His diet and eating habits have been weird lately (he's kinda anorexic, LOL), so we also need to find a solution for that.

[World Citizen]

If he's not eating that kind of tells ya that his food may be bothering him.

What are you feeding him?

[ShelbyGirl1]

It can be a conglomeration of things! With the cold weather setting in, and us humans turning on the heat...tends to dry the animals skin out, and/or it could be the food....and adding the salmon oil couldn't hurt. And/or it could be allergies.

[World Citizen]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

It can be a conglomeration of things! With the cold weather setting in, and us humans turning on the heat...tends to dry the animals skin out, and/or it could be the food....and adding the salmon oil couldn't hurt. And/or it could be allergies.

I agree with you.

But, he said that his dog wasn't eating his food. It could be bothering him.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Your right...or it could be he/or she is feeling miserable and just won't eat. Toss up for sure!
OP is the skin flaky or look inflamed? Does it have an odor? Or does it look like a rash? Any small red spots on the skin?

[need4Trees]

After your Vet visit let us know...

Also I would Highly recommend doing your own research on pet foods. The vets typically do not tell you anything about food. It's like they just avoid the whole thing. Or they suggest their Science Diet ... Well, this is from my experience.

Itchiness could be a lot of things...
allergies in dogs is the most common problem that vets see, ...

Hope its nothing major.

[SD snowbird]

I have a golden retriever, he has skin allergies that act up occasionally, look like little sores. Asked our vet to take a look, she said skin allergies. Said that she could give us a prescription, costly, or we could give him benadryl (dose according to his weight) for 2 weeks at a time and this would clear up the break outs.