Constant itching

[New Owner]

My four month old dog is constantly scratching himself, mostly his ears. He's been doing this since we got him when he was 8 weeks old. The vet checked his fur and skin and determined that he does not have fleas or mites or the mange. We have changed his food 3 times, given him ear drops and bathed him with special shampoo but he continues to scratch himself. He has developed small scabs on his ears and legs and scratchs a scab on his ear until it bleeds. We are desperate to help him but don't know what else we can do. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[kelsiebug]

my dog does the same thing!
itch itch itch!
i call her name and she stops dead in her tracks.itch itch itch!
shes done got sores in her ears. scabs on her elbows. i can tell her sit and she sits good dog then she starts itching! she didnt listen to me she just sat to itch.

[Cheetah]

Which brands of food did you try?

[New Owner]

We've used Eukanuba, Science Diet and Nutro Max. Thanks.

[skunkstripe]

What kind of shampoo did you use? I made the mistake of using Harz Flea & Tick a couple of times. My poor dog!! Itch itch itch. If you must bathe your dog, use the mildest shampoo you can find. I also ended up trying out different dog foods and stuck with Nutro max. Do you live in a dry area? Maybe your dog just has dry skin? You could try putting some fish oil on his kibble, that will help his skin.
Good luck!

[Cheetah]

Although if the dog has a corn allergy, Nutro Max won't make it better. It has a corn product in it.

For my dog I use oatmeal and tea tree oil shampoo. >^^;<

[zoe08]

I use Nutro Lamb and Rice and my dog has quit itching as much as she used to before I switched to that.

[New Owner]

Thank you for the responses. I am taking him to the vet tonight so hopefully that'll help our pup. We use a special shampoo the vet game us but it still hasn't helped him. I'll try the rice and oil idea.. thanks again!

[kelsiebug]

i ask my vet why did lady scratch 24.7 and he saiud she had skin allergies or something like that. he gave us shampoo and some medicene. he said food didnt effect anything.

[Cheetah]

That's your dog lol... A lot of dogs have food allergies. My dog has a corn allergy and can't eat any food or treats containing anything having to do with corn or she gets itchy and starts losing her fur. This has been confirmed by Dr. Knor at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. >O.o<

Really if the vet gave her dog a special shampoo and it didn't work, it may not be just a skin allergy. But, she could try a few other skin remedy shampoos first just to make sure.

[kelsiebug]

now i know what he said! he said she was allergic to flowers! we had to get rid of ALL the pretty flowers in our yard!

[New Owner]

Thank you for the responses. I took my pup to the vet today and they think he has Demodex mites and gave us Ivermectic drops as medicine. Since they are not 100% sure I bought Nutro Natural Lamb and Rice dog food in case it is a food allergy. Hopefully he'll be ok!!

[kelsiebug]

hope hes ok!

[Cheetah]

Oh wow I hope he gets better... Isn't Demodex mange?

[New Owner]

It is a form of mange, but it is not contagious to other dogs or people. The vet said it is passed from the mother to her puppies. Again, we are still not sure if this is what he has. Hopefully the medicine and/or new food will hlep him. Thanks again for the responses and concern!!

[3 goldens]

From what I understand, all dogs have those mites and they are in the hair folicles. Usually the dog's immune system keeps them to a bare minimun and they cause no trouble. However, sometimes something is a little off and they get to be a problem. I have also heard them refered to as "red mange mites". Anyway, that is my understanding of those suckers.

[3 goldens]

I forgot to say my 3 goldens have been scratching and thumping (leg hitting the floor as they scratch). I did find a few fleas and treated them with Frontline yesterday and they are not itching so bad today, but still are scratching some. My one female is allergic to bermuda grass and we think live oak pollen, and maybe other stuff.

[Becky]

You might want to try an elimination diet. I have no idea how to do it, but it helps identify allergens that a dog may have for a food. You may also want to try one of the many allergy dog formulas out there (such as Natural Balance Duck and Potato). Nutro's lamb and rice contains common dog allergins.

Although, to me it sounds like he might have a yeast infect in the ears. Has the vet checked for that?


Does your vet just *think* he has demodex or did he do a skin scrape?

[New Owner]

Thank you for the responses. Our vet thinks he has Demodex. They did 2 skin scrapes and neither one found positive evidence of any mites but the vet said his symptons and scabs were consistent with Demodex. Needless to say, its frustrating not knowing what exactly is wrong with him. We're hoping either natural food or medicine will help.

[Becky]

IMO, I would want it confirmed w/ a skin scrape before I started medicating or get a second vet's opinion. Most medications are not harmless, and shouldn't be used unless the problem is known. Other avenues (such as allergies) haven't really been explored yet.

I also remember reading on another forum that most medications for demodex are not very effective and that a holistic or homeopathic route were better to take.

[chelsie]

My dog has itched all her life and she is 7 now.
We did a blood test costing over £100 it came up an alligiey to dust. no cure we think

Chel

[Jake2006]

we also have demodex - lol (CAN SEE LASSIE CRINGING) in our hair follicles - eyelashes - and they live in perfect harmony with us LOL

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay00/demodex.html

I agree with Becky about testing for allergies - my VEt said its a simple blood test now - not the needle puncture.

Hope this helps

[Mackeila]

I agree about the food allergy thing.....my dog itched for at least 5 years of her life until I figgered out she was allerigc to the Gluten in dog food. And its REALLY hard to find dog food without gluten in it, as most dog foods have corn or wheat gluten. I finally found Iams Lamb Meal & Rice formula to give her and I am sure she is a happier dog now she is itch free (uhh...well...as itch free as a dog can be anyway lol)

Hope your dog bets better! Keep us posted =)