Spartan scratches a lot.

[JUDY S]

At first I thought it was just because he was healing from his neutering. But that's all healed and he is still scratching. Mostly his lower belly area, but also around his neck. I will be taking him to the vet, but I was just wondering what it could be and any questions I should be asking. I have checked him over and can find no reason for this scratching.

Kujo scratched a lot too, and the vet didn't seem very concerned. That vet is gone now, I didn't much care for him. I can't help but wonder if maybe it was an underlying symptom of something else and maybe that was what killed him. He seemed so healthy otherwise and so does Spartan. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

[Traci]

Fleas, mites, a skin condition or allergy to a contact substance or food. Unfortunately, the only way to determine is a vet visit, exam, potential skin scrape and/or culture.

[JUDY S]

I do believe he was a stray before I the rescue got him and I heard on the radio this morning that coyotes in northern Alberta have been passing around mange. I did notice that Spartan has a slight bald spot by his muzzle, I am wondering if that's what he has.

[mamabear]

Have you spoken with Vet to see if there was another dog in the office during Spartan's stay that might have had Sarcoptic mange(I think some still call it scabies)? Either way vet visit asap to determine if this is Sarcoptic mange or Demodectic mange(some call it just Demodex). Sarcoptic is highly contagious and the other is what all dogs have on their bodies but when their immune system is low it can start up. So vet visit to determine what is what or if it is this at all.

I'm sure Traci will have more info on some other stuff but outcome will be the same...to the vet we go again with Spartan...Man he must not like you at this point. First he gets his (ya know) taken away now he scratching and has to go back. The poor thing!!
Good luck, you're doing great with catching the itchy stuff before it gets real bad.!!!!!

[JUDY S]

Well we are back from the vet. She could see nothing that would cause concern. I had forgotten his medical chart from the other vet, so we weren't sure if he had been dewormed and such. She dewormed him, and gave him some revolution. He has a very thick coat and it's really dry up here during the winter, so she thought it may be an itchy skin thing, I know I am going crazy with that and have to scratch many times a day.
She also mentioned allergies and maybe doing a skin biopsy if it doesn't clear up.

On a happy note, he was a gem on the way to the vet. It's a half hour drive and he lay down beside me, put his head in my lap and stayed there. What a sweety.

[E's]

Now that I'm back in an area with dry winters and have central heating, I try to remember to dig out the room humidifier(s)... always kept them running in winters up North; seemed to help pets as well as people.

For more serious cases of dry-weather dermatitis [sp?] There is (are) topical lotions specifically for dogs... However I can't seem to recall which state I lived in or which dog or which vet prescribed/recommended... Do believe it may actually have been an unusual dry spell in New Orleans I took my old iMac back to NOLA last spring but have the Bookmarks here somewhere... Meanwhile, try www.Jeffers Pet Supply.com and I will too. Good luck - and I am so glad Spartan is a good traveler!
Dot B
Austin TX

[E's]

http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/products. ... ept_id=249

Of course *only* with a vet's permission. And I seem to recall the soothing "lotion" type stuff I used (I think on a Dalmatian) WAS vet prescribed. There MAY be OTC dry skin treatment for humans - lotion or whatever - safe for canines, but that also would of course have to be varified by the vet.

db
Dry & windy on my Texas hillside today, but the temp is like 80 degrees Farenheit!

[Marty]

Java has had itchy, dry skin problems as well. My Vet gave her an oil supplement to add to her food. You might ask about that..

Edited to add that they are the 3V capsules.
http://www.petmedsonline.org/vitamins-f ... #3v%20caps