Java is a mixed breed, 35 lb, about 12 yrs, double coated and so itchy. It seems worse now that she is older. The Vet had her on antibiotics and prednisone for a while, and she did well. Then we tried Atopica to balance it out...6 months of that...didn't work...so it isn't worth $75 a month.
I have tried different foods...doesn't helpl
Today, I cut out some mats caused by her chewing...I know they are itchy, and gave her a bath with medicated shampoo from the Vet. She seems a bit more comfortable now.
I have gone over my carpets with plain water in case it might be the shampoo...She is blind, and doesn't go outside too often.
I feel so bad for her...(thyroid has been tested and is fine).
Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
When was her last full blood profile done, and when the thyroid was checked, was it T4 and FreeT4 both?
What foods have you tried, have you tried a prescription diet, as in hypoallergenic or specific protein source? When trying a trial diet, you need to give it at least 4-6 weeks to gauge effectiveness.
What was the cause to her blindness? Has the vet ruled out possible pain? (may or may not be related to the eyes, could be elsewhere, or internal, or arthritis, some source of pain causing her to be nervous and to chew at her fur)
Was a skin scrape and/or culture done to rule out mites, flea allergy dermatitis or infection?
What foods have you tried, have you tried a prescription diet, as in hypoallergenic or specific protein source? When trying a trial diet, you need to give it at least 4-6 weeks to gauge effectiveness.
What was the cause to her blindness? Has the vet ruled out possible pain? (may or may not be related to the eyes, could be elsewhere, or internal, or arthritis, some source of pain causing her to be nervous and to chew at her fur)
Was a skin scrape and/or culture done to rule out mites, flea allergy dermatitis or infection?
..........Traci
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
I agree with all the things that traci said about making a diagnosis but in the meantime I would usually give an injection of pred to give the dog some releif while the cultures etc are growing and lab work is being don..It can do no harm and will give temoporary releif so the dog doesnt scratch into hot spots etc...just a though.and if this shows up tiny words...don;t know kwhy
how are her kidneys? MY husband has kidney disease and before he got things back in balance....he was off for a while, and his kidneys were functioning way below normal...and he had dry itchy skin....the nephrologist said it was a normal sign of kidney disfunction....the body secretes the extra salt through the skin, causing it to itch.....
Now this is for humans....not sure if the same for dogs....but it can't hurt to get her creatinine and BUN checked as well....I don't know HOW they do a 24 hour urine sample on a dog to test kidney functioning!!!!!
Now this is for humans....not sure if the same for dogs....but it can't hurt to get her creatinine and BUN checked as well....I don't know HOW they do a 24 hour urine sample on a dog to test kidney functioning!!!!!
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
Wow, Tambrey- that is something to know about..the itchiness with kidney disease...I'll have to watch that as I've had kidney disease in the past. Of course I get all the usual tests done, too.
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
Thanks for the responses...
She had a senior blood panel done in Feb, and all was fine. Her thyroid was on the low side of normal, but not enough to require meds. Skin scraping was done and showed nothing. But I've had her on Advantage in case, although the other 2 don't have fleas. (She is black, so it's hard to see them.)
Food...although I know you won't agree Traci, most of the time she has done well on Nutro Natural Lamb and Rice...not now, so I'm starting one of their newer ones, Herring, Potato and Rice. I've tried different flavors of Eagle Pack, Blue Buffalo, and Avoderm, which is supposed to be good for the skin.
Even as a puppy, she was slightly itchy, and has always been a nervous type dog...I think there may be some Chow Chow in her.
Her blindness is a hereditary condition called progressive retinal atrophy. I suppose it would be a good idea to make an appt with her ophthalmologist. UGA is several hours away, and due to circumstances in the past year or so, she hasn't been checked out recently. Even now, I dread the trip...
She had a senior blood panel done in Feb, and all was fine. Her thyroid was on the low side of normal, but not enough to require meds. Skin scraping was done and showed nothing. But I've had her on Advantage in case, although the other 2 don't have fleas. (She is black, so it's hard to see them.)
Food...although I know you won't agree Traci, most of the time she has done well on Nutro Natural Lamb and Rice...not now, so I'm starting one of their newer ones, Herring, Potato and Rice. I've tried different flavors of Eagle Pack, Blue Buffalo, and Avoderm, which is supposed to be good for the skin.
Even as a puppy, she was slightly itchy, and has always been a nervous type dog...I think there may be some Chow Chow in her.
Her blindness is a hereditary condition called progressive retinal atrophy. I suppose it would be a good idea to make an appt with her ophthalmologist. UGA is several hours away, and due to circumstances in the past year or so, she hasn't been checked out recently. Even now, I dread the trip...
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
No, I don't agree on the diets. The main reason being that the purpose of a hypoallergenic trial diet is to AVOID all other useless and harmful ingredients, by harmful I mean ingredients she may be sensitive to, and some of those you mentioned might contain several. ONE novel protein source in a balanced diet, you shouldn't be adverse to attempting a veterinary diet. If it is successful, isn't that the real benefit?
And I know you don't agree, but the veterinary diets have always been and always will be designed and specifically formulated for the intended purpose, they focus on key ingredients, specific protein sources, etc, other commercial diets do NOT.
As for steroid use, owners need to be cautious about this and discuss this approach thoroughly with their vets. Many vets simply do the antibiotic/prednisone approach but do little else, and that thinking is being more and more disregarded. The important thing is finding the CAUSE, whether it is stress, the diet, the environment, bacterial/fungal, immunological, or other medical cause. Yes, it involves a detailed approach and specific diagnostics, as well as a process of elimination. Prolonged use of, or a high dose of steroids may appear to limit the problem, but in reality they can and do actually exacerbate the condition because the patient then is immunocompromised and then more doses or higher doses or prolonged doses are given, which only serve to worsen the condition and prolong it. Even once steroids and/or antibiotics are discontinued, it can take months for the drug's effects on the skin to lessen and cease entirely. I'm not saying steroids can't be used in dermatology cases, but they should only be used when COMBINED with diagnostics and medical approaches to identify the cause, and they should only be used short-term, with monitoring bloodwork frequently. With prolonged or high doses of steroids, you also run the risk of cushings, so that too might need to be ruled out.
How exactly are you able to determine she is "itchy"? If she is nervous, that isn't exactly itchy. If she has any underlying health issues, that isn't itchy. If she's in pain or uncomfortable, that isn't itchy. If she's pulling at her fur or biting at her skin, that is not necesarrily itchy. It's so important pet owners don't mistake symptoms for something they are not.
Since she is blind, an opthamology exam should have been on the first order and your vet should have done so immediately. Any retinal problem can be a painful problem and these conditions always require monitorization.
Since she is older, she may require twice-yearly bloodwork. In senior pets, it's important to stay ahead of the game and detect health issues early on in order to prevent, halt or slow progression. Too many health issues can occur in a short time frame, so this is why twice-yearly or more often if necessary, blood work is essential in senior pets. Plus, any hidden, undetected secondary illness or infection can always occur with a primary health condition.
And I know you don't agree, but the veterinary diets have always been and always will be designed and specifically formulated for the intended purpose, they focus on key ingredients, specific protein sources, etc, other commercial diets do NOT.
As for steroid use, owners need to be cautious about this and discuss this approach thoroughly with their vets. Many vets simply do the antibiotic/prednisone approach but do little else, and that thinking is being more and more disregarded. The important thing is finding the CAUSE, whether it is stress, the diet, the environment, bacterial/fungal, immunological, or other medical cause. Yes, it involves a detailed approach and specific diagnostics, as well as a process of elimination. Prolonged use of, or a high dose of steroids may appear to limit the problem, but in reality they can and do actually exacerbate the condition because the patient then is immunocompromised and then more doses or higher doses or prolonged doses are given, which only serve to worsen the condition and prolong it. Even once steroids and/or antibiotics are discontinued, it can take months for the drug's effects on the skin to lessen and cease entirely. I'm not saying steroids can't be used in dermatology cases, but they should only be used when COMBINED with diagnostics and medical approaches to identify the cause, and they should only be used short-term, with monitoring bloodwork frequently. With prolonged or high doses of steroids, you also run the risk of cushings, so that too might need to be ruled out.
How exactly are you able to determine she is "itchy"? If she is nervous, that isn't exactly itchy. If she has any underlying health issues, that isn't itchy. If she's in pain or uncomfortable, that isn't itchy. If she's pulling at her fur or biting at her skin, that is not necesarrily itchy. It's so important pet owners don't mistake symptoms for something they are not.
Since she is blind, an opthamology exam should have been on the first order and your vet should have done so immediately. Any retinal problem can be a painful problem and these conditions always require monitorization.
Since she is older, she may require twice-yearly bloodwork. In senior pets, it's important to stay ahead of the game and detect health issues early on in order to prevent, halt or slow progression. Too many health issues can occur in a short time frame, so this is why twice-yearly or more often if necessary, blood work is essential in senior pets. Plus, any hidden, undetected secondary illness or infection can always occur with a primary health condition.
..........Traci
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
I wouldn't be adverse to an allergy diet if it will help her. He never suggested it. so I will ask. He will not keep her on steroids with their risks, and I wouldn't want him to.
If her chewing could be bacterial or yeasty, wouldn't that have shown up on the skin scraping?
If her chewing could be bacterial or yeasty, wouldn't that have shown up on the skin scraping?
A skin scrape usually is only viewed under a microscope (to check for mites etc). A culture is what is most useful to determine bacteria or fungii. Was a culture done? Usefulness also depends on exactly when a culture was done, during steroid/antibiotic administration or before or after?
..........Traci
Re: Any ideas for a really itchy dog?
Well, now I am not sure, but I would guess it was a scrape...and it was done before steroids.