Scratchy, scratchy!

[Hercules Momma]

Hummer seems to scratch a lot! At first I thought it might be fleas because they had been playing in the backyard, so I sprayed the yard with a flea and tick spray, then I gave them that pill that is supposed to kill anything on them within thirty minutes, and they have had a monthly Frontline Flea and Tick dosage that you put between their shoulderblades. I don't see any fleas or ticks, believe me I search constantly! But Hummer is scratching all the time! I'm wondering if he might have a skin allergy? He doesn't have any rash spots or redness or anything, but his constant itching must be driving him nuts!
Anyone know anything about skin allergies in pets?

[ozi-chichi's]

Renata does Hummer do it when he has just been outside? Busty scratches and chewes/licks his feet after being outside on the grass, he only does it at certain times of the year usually when its hayfever season.

[Hercules Momma]

Terri,
He does it all the time! He loves for someone to scratch for him too! His little legs will just up and down when you get the right spot! I've inspected his fur and skin and never see anything.

[Romans Mom]

Renata, here's some possibilities...

A lot of dogs have allergies to grass. Our neighbors aren't supposed to let their dogs on their lawn at all--ever.

Another thing it could be is the dog shampoo, even if it says gentle. The shampoo could also be drying out Hummer's skin. What happens there is it dries, then cracks a little and pulls it tight (we can't see that) and then they scratch that and make it worse. A lot of people use baby shampoo on their dogs because it's gentle, but even that is not made for dog skin--it's formulated for humans (although some dogs are fine with it), dog skin is different than ours.

One more thing...their dogfood can cause them to itch. I know beef products are especially known to do this. People foods too.

[LuKi]

It is most definetly allergies. I should know all about allergies by now. Lucius has severe allergies, Kishi just developed allergies this year, and I am going through some very bad ones too. This sounds like the regular allergies that most dogs have. Your vet will give him a cortizone shot and some pills to take for about 2 weeks every other day and this usually helps. Kishi just went through this. My grandma's cocker has to get her allergy shot every month or two during the spring and summer seasons. Lucius now, he has BAD allergies and luckily we keep it somewhat under control but it could be a lot worse. Does he chew his feet or rub his body on the furnature or under a table? It should be very easy and affordable to treat the basic allergies. Good luck and let us know how things go.

[Sandy Balto]

I found this in the news paper

Listerine formula, applied topically, can help dogs with itchy spots
Q- You have written about a formula using listerine for hot spots on dogs. I tried it, and it works great, but we've nearly used it up, and i lost the instructions.

A horse lover shared the following formula she used on the maine and tail of her filly. 1/3 listerine (original) 1/3 baby oil and 1/3 water.Put in a spray bottle shake well and spray it on. This is similar to the formula recommended for dogs itchy hot spots.



We also came across another novel use for listerine. A plant enthusiast reports that if you add 2 ounces of original listerine to a gallon of water for cut flowers, they will last longer. The acidic,antifungal and antibacterial properties of the mouthwash are probably responsible for this action.

[Hercules Momma]

Ok I took Hummer in today to see the vet, he has a little bacterial yeast infection in his ears. The vet gave me some drops and already Hummer seems to be scratching less.
So we'll do the drops for a week once a day.