What to do about itchy skin
I've ruled out food as the complete issue. I've noticed his skin is dry and itchy. I'm looking into OMEGA3s but have been told to be careful giving too many suppliments. What have others done? Thanks, Caroline and Harrie |
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| I don't have any advice as our boy's itchy skin is almost all food related. Maybe someone else will have a good suggestion. |
| Is he just scratching at the dry flaky areas or is he chewing at these areas? |
| Just a few things to discuss with your vet...
Consider an oil supplement like 3V Caps or similar. Test thyroid levels. Test for environmental allergies. How old is your OES? |
| Which do you think would be more conclusive, the allergy skin tests or a hair test? |
| Thank you to everyone that responded. So I have taken Harrie to the vet, which is why he was put on perscription food to determine what foods he might be allergic to. I also did test him for a thyroid condition because his legs (individually at different times) would tremble. Turns out he did have hyperthyroid and he's now on medication for that.
Could the thyroid medication cause the itchy skin? Outside of that, I'm going to start giving him Omega 3 and possibly try cod liver oil, which a friend of mine used on her dog and seemed to help, but I don't know much about either of these and I've heard that giving your dog too many suppliments is also not too good. The other thing he does is chew inside his paws. It comes in cycles and we just finished one but I'm also concnerned as his chewing is wearing down his bottom teath. Thanks again for your feedback. Caroline |
If you have a choice between skin testing or a RAST blood test, go for the skin test. I think they're more reliable. The last RAST test we did on Darby indicated she was allergic to cats and cockroaches... neither of which we have... I think it was a case of "false positives".  Skin testing needs to be done during the worst time of the year for the dog or when the dog is most symptomatic according to MSU.
I don't think the thyroid meds would cause itching. Two of my low thyroid dogs also have environmental allergies... both low thyroid and allergies are autoimmune conditions. Quote: Outside of that, I'm going to start giving him Omega 3 and possibly try cod liver oil, which a friend of mine used on her dog and seemed to help, but I don't know much about either of these and I've heard that giving your dog too many suppliments is also not too good. Get advice from your vet on the amount of oil supplements to give. Quote: The other thing he does is chew inside his paws. It comes in cycles and we just finished one but I'm also concnerned as his chewing is wearing down his bottom teath.
Also look for reddish brown staining and little flecks of brownish stuff. This may indicate a yeast problem. This is what yeast on the feet can look like- http://oesusa.com/Yeast/index.4.jpg http://oesusa.com/Yeast/6.jpg http://oesusa.com/Yeast/Darby82807-Trimmed.jpg If you find it's yeast, let me know! Malaseb products plus a change in diet may help to get things under control. |
| We too suffer from the paw licking and allergies. We use Icelandic Salmon oil - 2 teaspoons mixed with food, 2x a day. The cod liver oil might be hard for your dog to take and might cause some diarrhea. Some dogs have no problem.
We had the Rast test and came out positive for all sorts of things. However, one food that did not show up positive was cottage cheese and we found by not giving the cottage cheese, the paw licking was less. So five hundred dollars later, I'm not sure that test was useful to us. Good luck. It's tough watching our babies uncomfortable. |
| When I got Henley his skin was a mess... it eventually healed and then, around age 7 he started with the itchies once again. (and every April since)
We switched his food (thinking it was allergies to that) and that gave him gastro problems... now he's on part commercial food and organic meats and brown rice with some allergy meds and vitamins for his skin. No gastro issues now... so thank heaven for that... but the thing that seems to cure it best.... is the month of November. Then... 5 months later.... here we go again.  |
| I would suggest the skin punch test. They usually have results in 5-10 minutes for you. Since it seems to kickup certain times of the year, I am wondering if it is an inhalant allergy to something that is blooming or seeding at that time. If so, it can be managed by desensitizing them to the allergen once you know what it is. I'd suggest going to a dermatology/allergy specialist vet. May sound expensive but in the long run it is cheaper because they get to the root of the problem quicker. No hit & miss tactics. |
Judith Kristen wrote: Then... 5 months later.... here we go again. Is there any chance you had him shaved down just before he got itchy again? |
Quote: I would suggest the skin punch test
Can you tell me more about this punch test, Marilyn? One of our has severe seasonal allergies... http://oesusa.com/Page118.html http://oesusa.com/DoggoneAllergies.jpg For the past 3 years, they've started in August and subside with the first killing frost. I've given her allergy shots for 3 years... she has to have two different serums, two different shots each month. The mold/mite serums can't be mixed. I don't believe we've found the real cause. Though it's never shown up on the RAST test (blood test), I honestly believe it's ragweed or another fall culprit. You can look at the MSU requirements for intradermal testing (where they inject small amounts of possible allergens under the skin)... it can be pretty rough considering the dog has to be switched over to Purina Dog Chow for 14 days, off antihistamines for 14 days, off steroids for 30 days (including topicals like Panalog), etc. And they recommend testing be done during the most symptomatic time of the year so it's at a time when the dog is most miserable. We spoke with MSU last fall and were told to expect to be down there most of the day because the dog has to be sedated, all the little injections done, then wait for a response and read the results. http://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/services/de ... letter.pdf I'd love to hear more about this punch test. Who does it? We're about 3 1/2 hours from MSU and they're the closest place that does the intradermal testing... there are no independent vets north of them that do it. Wondering if my own vets can do this punch test with such quick results... |
| Wow. All of you have provided me with great information. I'm going to look into the punch test as well as the skin test along with some of other suggestions people provided.
Thanks again and I'll let you know what I find out. Caroline & Harrie |
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