My friend has a dog that chews and bites his skin so much especially in one spot on his back that he has chewed off some fur. He is bathed regularly (once a week) with whatever they have at the supermarket (sargeant's I think) and doesn't seem to have fleas.
Any suggestions for this poor pooch?
Rodney 2005 Laredo 29GS 2002 F250 V-10 Hughesnet Satellite Internet
Get him to a vet and get proper flea control pills or whatever. Those whatever sold in supermarket doesn't work. IMHO, bathing every week is too much for a dog. It could be the cause of the itchness.
My parents own a dog grooming salon so we've seen all sorts of problems. It definitely sounds like allergies. Believe it or not they can get em even if they've never had allergy issues.
It could be due to whatever they're using to bathe him in...definitely sounds like too much bathing. Once a month is all they need, much more than that and you're stripping away their natural oils that protect their skin.
She can purchase a product online that we use for allergy prone skins and dogs with sensitive skin called "Oxy Med". She may also want to consider changing the food he eats to an all natural food. I use "Canidae" for my dog. Also, many dogs have issues when given table scraps so tell her to avoid it if possible. Hope this helps....
We adopted a 5 yr old male Bichon from someone that was dying. He had no fur anyplace he could reach, and he had some small sores. The vet said since the fleas were controlled it was probably anxiety. We used Benadryl(at the vet's advice) for a few days and eventually he stopped the chewing and the fur grew back. But he was very strange looking for awhile.
IMO any time a pet is itching to the extent that he's losing fur, then a vet visit is in order. It certainly could be allergies.
I definitely, absolutely, positively would NOT be using Sargeant's, Hartz or any other cheapo, "grocery store" type of shampoo on an itchy dog (or any dog). The vet can recommend something good. You can also get good quality, itchy-skin-soothing oatmeal based shampoos at just about any pet store.
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Allergies - only a vet supplied shot will take care of something this bad.
Changing foods, bathing, and all sorts of "remedies" may help when the dog's reactive allergen level is "low", but if he's this uncomfortable, you need to get the reaction under control before removing allergens will show any recognizable results.
IMO allergy. Could be food, could be shampoo, could be anything. Might start with a food from vet made just for allergies like duck & potato.
Our German Shepherds allergies are better if she is bathed every week with a shampoo for allergies. She rarely scratches now, but it was a battle finding all she was allergic to.
Chuck
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Dogs can also bite or lick at one spot if it is causing them pain, rather than itching. Some dogs are also a bit obsessive-compulsive and will lick a spot raw out of anxiety. Usually that spot is on a foot or a leg, though, not the back.
I think a trip to the vet is definitely in order, to rule out more serious problems than just dry, itchy skin.
What is this dog eating? What does the vet say? Why are you asking, and not them?
There are any number of causes of this type of problem. Food allergens (if they're using supermarket "stuff" to treat their dog that has chewed itself raw, one shudders to think what the poor thing is eating) are very high on the list. General poor nutrition (lack of essential fatty acids) can also be a problem. So is excessive washing, and along with that, under rinsing... leaving shampoo on the dog is a sure way to set off an itchfest. Fleas of course are always suspect, and you can have a lot of flea related havoc on a dog and still not be able to find the suspect, so to speak. Flea combing for flea dirt will sometimes produce some evidence that way.
Other causes or actually sometimes effects of the above would be fungal or bacterial infections in the skin. A vet is the best person to figure out what the actual situation is, and should be consulted. And just to be clear, failing to get medical attention for an animal that is itching itself raw does constitute neglect. It isn't optional. So if your friend hasn't had the dog to the vet, maybe you can persuade him to do the responsible thing and make an appointment.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
As most have suggested, a vet visit is in order. You can spend way much more money and endure more sufferring for the dog with trial and error. Find a diagnosis, then you can make a plan about solving the problem
Doug, DVM
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