Itchy boy!

[Dodger]

For the last month or so I've noticed Dodger itching and scratching more and more. He's now scratching all the time. At first I thought fleas...but there are no fleas on him. He has a very mild red rashy spot on the inside of his thigh, but he's scratching all over, not just there. He's shedding a bit more than usual (pretty sure it's just the heat), but nothing obscene and he seems fine otherwise. He doesn't always eat his food, but he's never been very food motivated and I don't think that he's not eating because he doesn't feel well. Another person I know is having the same itchy problem with their dog (not a sheltie) and the dog has a similar looking rashy spot. The dogs have not been in contact, so it's not something they caught from one another. Could this be seasonal allergies? ( I know the grass makes me itchy like crazy....). I thought maybe a food allergy, but he's had the same food for almost a year, and this just started a few weeks ago. Any suggestions?
THANKS!

 

[aimeee8998]

Have you taken him to get groomed lately? We took my sable girl to get groomed about 2 years again and she had red spots from reacting to the groomer's shampoo. As you probably already know, shelties have very sensitive skin. The vet recommended baths with another hypoallergenic shampoo and that worked nicely. Her skin cleared up within a few washes with the other stuff!

 

[Mally's Mom]

You might want to soak him in the bathtub with some baking soda mixed in. That should sooth the itch.

If it is real bad maybe take him in and have a vet look at it to make sure there's no infection from the scratching.

 

[dawns2shelties]

I would think it may be an allergy and I would consult with your vet especially if you have a rash.

 

[Chris]

I remember a dog I had years ago who was allergic to Bermuda grass. When it was "blooming," she'd get rashes.

Try using a mild oatmean-based dog shampoo and matching conditioner. That can help with dryness, which may be exacerbating the problem. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and let Dodger dry naturally (no blow drying).

 

[LaddieKatieMom]

Both of mine were itching as well...also, no flea issues. The vet said it was allergies and suggested giving them one benadryl (25 mg) twice a day, or one Zyrtec (Costco's Allertec) once a day. I've been giving them the Allertec and no more itching problems. You might want to check with your vet and give it a try.

 

[danisgoat]

I would first suspect a food allergy. I would eliminate grains...especially corn from the diet.

If your dog eats the same food over and over again, it can actually cause the dog to develop an allergy to the food.

Here are some articles that discuss this:
http://www.dog-food-corner.com/dog-food-allergy.htm
http://www.aztecanimalclinic.com/allergy.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/pets/dog-health/food_allergies_in_dogs.htm

 

[Toffee's Mom]

I agree they can develop allergies to food, how old is your dog?
Toffee has developed a food intolerance to processed foods when he was about a year and a half... In addition Toffee has (Vet and I think) an Allergy to fleas and although he doesn't have any, if the cats bring one in or he catches a hitchhiker.. in the summer it is the worst...
Last Summer he had no fur left on his hind paws, and he was so itchy...
But better get a vet to look at it sooner rather than later...

I am using better topical flea remedies for cats and him, have been feeding him mostly raw and he looks like a million bucks, so hopefully this summer will be itchy free?