JulesP Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Some dogs are allergic to some sort of meats. And flax seed oil can be dicey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Poodlefan - the ingredients list on the vetsallnatural health booster is: dolomite, liver granules, flax seed meal, vitamin C powder, green tea, milk thistle extract, grape seed extract, brewers yeast, barley grass powder, kelp granules, parsley powder, ginger, lecithin granules, wheat germ, garlic powder, collostrum powder, shark cartilage powder, boron chelate, zinc chelate. I also added the flaxseed oil (coldpressed, health food store type) because Dr Billinghurst's book "give your dog a bone" suggests it as one of the better oils to add to a diet... I only added it again to her diet when she started itching more and it hasn't had any effect... the same with the health booster. I stopped adding both of them earlier this year but when she started itching I decided to try adding them back in. Yep megaderm is the oil blend... I should have it by the end of the week. JulesP - I have used flaxseed in the past with her and had no problems, as mentioned I only started her on it again after she started itching. As for meats, she gets fed a bit of an assortment, usually chicken frames, lamb flaps and beef bones... I've never noticed a change when I swap from one meat to the other - I usually feed different types of meat in phases depending on what I get on special when... at the moment shes on lamb, last few weeks it was beef off cuts and next lot will probably be chicken again. Sorry if this is a silly question, but would there be other symptoms aside from the scratching if it is a food allergy? My last dog that had a food allergy had a terrible coat and hot spots as well as the itching, an elimination diet and malaseb sorted it all out for her though... I just expected that if Ella does have a food allergy there would be more than just scratching??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 How bad are her paws? Is she mainly inside or outside? To see if it is dust mites causing the problem you could leave her outside for a couple of weeks. To check if it is a plant then keep her off all green stuff for a couple of weeks. Allergies are a pain to pin down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Her paws aren't very bad, I've noticed her have a chew on them a few times but she scratches mostly at her neck and chews a little at her flanks. She's mainly inside, she's only outside when no one's home but she does spend a bit of time outside when we are home and the doors are open. I guess I could try put her outside only for a few weeks... I don't really want to!!! I'm not sure she'll be very impressed with that idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Her paws aren't very bad, I've noticed her have a chew on them a few times but she scratches mostly at her neck and chews a little at her flanks. She's mainly inside, she's only outside when no one's home but she does spend a bit of time outside when we are home and the doors are open. I guess I could try put her outside only for a few weeks... I don't really want to!!! I'm not sure she'll be very impressed with that idea! If she's only itchy in spring, I expect the allergen (if its a contact allergy) is outside, not inside. You could try putting socks on her paws for a few days to see if it makes any diffference (after a wash of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's mum Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 One of the radio vets recommends Pinetarsol. Mum gave a bottle of it (from the chemist) that she hadn't used, to a neigbour with an itchy doodle and she swears it cured it. I used some homeopathic stuff from Kherby's herbs years ago and this was also tar-based. You may still be able to get it online. Didn't do anything for my Chelsea's malassezia which is kept under control with weekly or biweekly malaseb baths (10 minutes as per instructions). I have started putting Aloveen conditioner on to finish. I found a recommendation for it on the Balgownie vets site when i did a search on malassezia. I have also added Megaderm (oil) sachets to her diet but have only just started. I'd love to know if anyone has had good experience with these? I also use 'Panalog' ointment from the vet to relieve the itch eg around her nose which she would otherwise rip to shreds scratching. It also treats itchy ears (malassezia is a nasty thing). I went to the vet yesterday and he said he was inundated with itchies...like people, allergies everywhere. Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddieMoo Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 (edited) Maddie has very itchy feet and her fur has gone like browny/pink from her chewing.......i have her on malaseb now. Edited November 28, 2007 by Shihtzu & Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 (edited) Dante started itching about 1.5 months ago now. It's so frustrating trying to find out what is causing it. He is red on his feet, legs, belly, underarms and testicles. Very very itchy and ripped open a nipple the other week. Nails filed back and no sharp edges to prevent damage he can cause himself. We used Malaseb incase it was yeast related but had no luck, in fact it made him worse. Used that twice a week for 2 weeks. We have tried another medicated shampoo from the Vets, can't remember what it is called but it started with P, that didn't work and made him even worse so only used that once. We have used Neocort which you can only use short-time, good cream but once you stop using it, we're back to square one. He's had one cortisone injection which took the redness right down but as soon as the injection wore off we were back to square one so now we're on a course of cortisone tablets. We have tried homeopathic remedies for yeast as well, that did help a little. We're now waiting on a homeopathic remedy for grass and plant allergies. If that doesn't work, we'll try the one for food allergies. http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/ (Australian Company) We also tried: http://www.animalitch.com.au/Small.htm which worked for a small amount of time to reduce the itching. We have also tried Aloe Vera which made him 10 x's worse. Tried Collidal Silver which is ok but doesn't do anything dramatic. We've been on anti-biotics. No fleas here, we use Advantage regularily. We have also given Revolution to treat for Scabies just incase. We have replaced all the bed covers with ones of natural fibes to rule that out. We can't change food unfortunately as he's a giant breed growing puppy, but I doubt it is that as his food hasn't changed. However he's 12 months old in 3-4 months so will be able to start messing with his food then. Elimenation diets take 8 weeks per different meat....so that could take forever as well. I suspect it's grass/plant related as he started itching as summer kicked in. We have also tried a range of human topical products for itching. No hair loss, so ruiling out D.Mange at this stage. Skin Scraping showed no mites but S.Mange (Scabies) Mites are usually only detected on skin scrapings abour 20% of the time. Tape test detected a bit of yeast but nothing too interesting. We had been giving Sardines in Vegetable Oil twice a week as apprantly Vegetable oil was good for skin issues Dante has been on fish oil the day he arrived, however we have now taken him off as research has shown that fish oil added to premimum kibble can upset the balance of the food and cause itchy skin. He's on Zinc at the moment to help boost his immune system. After we've tried all this, well head to the specialist, however with only a 20% reduction of itching in most cases that have any reduction of itching, I'm not sure it's quite worth the $600 for testing and then approx $1,000.00 per year for the densentising treatment *bangs head* We're moving very soon, I'm praying that will somehow help. Edited November 28, 2007 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Time Puppy Owner Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Have you tried antihistamines and apple cidar vinegar in his water Sas??? I also have a huge list of other things you could try as the cause may well be sandflies/midgies. Virtually invisable but vile little creatures that cause incredible itching for long periods of time - up to 2 mths! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 Sas, I really feel for your poor boy. Please let us know when you find out or fix whatever is bugging him soo badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Have you tried antihistamines and apple cidar vinegar in his water Sas??? I also have a huge list of other things you could try as the cause may well be sandflies/midgies. Virtually invisable but vile little creatures that cause incredible itching for long periods of time - up to 2 mths! :cool: Yep, anti-hystimes everyday, tried different brands. Apple Cider in the water. Dogs get inspect repellant spray everyday as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) I have an itchy puppy too... Orbit is only 16wks old and has been itchy since his second day at home with me at 10wks of age. Have tried anti histamines - didn't help. Been treated for scabies - didn't help. Sent skin biopsies off which came back suggestive of either parasites or food allergies, however food allergies in a puppy so young would be very rare, though I guess its possible. Just finished a course of anti biotics and anti inflammatories which helped, but his itching has just started up again this morning. And its not just the occasional scratch too. Its intense itching. My vets have never seen a puppy so itchy before. Will start adding ACV to his food tonight. Was on fish oil but I stopped it for same reasons as SAS. He also gets terrible smelling gas with his food and poos 2-3 times a day, which could be a hint that his food isn't agreeing with him... Edited November 29, 2007 by stormie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarasMum Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 (edited) My staffy x gets a summer itch however this year she is a bit different. Normally its an under belly, feet kind of itch but in the past week she has had like hives or bites all over the top of her head and on her back legs at the rump. I have noticed miniscule little things like lice on my washing basket too and I am wondering what they are and what to do about them. She definately doesnt have fleas, I have capstan'd her. It hasnt been quite so bad the past few days as its been drizzling on and off (more off than on) but its cooled it down a bit. If they are lice type things how would I get rid of them? I live on half an acre and thats huge to try and decontaminate. I dont really have any sand so I dont think they are sandflies. What type of antihistamies can you use to stop itching? and are they human ones or specifically for animals? My last staffy was on cortisone tabs which eventually ended her life early. I really dont want this dog to have to go the same route. I have been washing with an oatmeal shampoo and Aloveen conditioner which funnily enough seems to make her lick herself continuously until its dried off. Edited November 30, 2007 by SarasMum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's mum Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I think Advantix (flea treatment) does lice and other nasties as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlitznBear Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I have my amstaff on Polaramine tablets from the chemist, he was on 1 morning and night but my NEW GREAT vet has just recommended up it to 3 morning and night, it is even safe to go 6 morning and night If really needed, depending on the severity, its safe no side effects except drowziness but they adjust and adapt which should subside after a short period. My boy has been great on them for months until now where the wheather is hotter so I am upping his dose to accommodate. along with his flaxseed and fishoil tabs and a good medicated wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted November 30, 2007 Author Share Posted November 30, 2007 Well... I decided to give Ella some capstar tablets yesterday, along with a malaseb bath followed by some aloveen conditioner. I also started her on megaderm yesterday too. I definitely don't think it's fleas as she was itching again last night and this morning - that is after the capstar was given. I also changed her bedding and washed it etc. I will try and keep her inside and off the grass for a while and see what that does for her itching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special_kali Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Thanks for the responses guys, in answer:Yep, I'm very certain that she hasn't got fleas... I have checked her over very thouroughly several times now and there is quite certainly no fleas. I have her sentinel spectrum which does fleas and I also have a flea/tick collar on her too. I have washed her with masalab but it had no effect on the itchiness. There doesn't seem to be anything in the yard that could cause itchiness, just grass and burrs which we are keeping cut down! I feed a barf diet with additions of flaxseed oil and LSA mix, plus sardines several times a week so she is getting plenty of oils etc. I guess it could be dust related... aside from regular cleaning how would I control that? take the flea collar off you don't need it if you use sentinel. waste of money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special_kali Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 umm and sometimes the medicated shampoo's can make it worse, especially if they are really strong ones. sometimes it could be a meat allergy. switch from beef to chicken or kangaroo meat-based diet. you have no idea the amount oof ppl who used to come to my shop saying their dog was scratching. if their dog ate a beef based diet i'd suggest switching it to kangaroo and it worked most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 We're actually doing a food switch this weekend to a Kangaroo based product. We actually ran out of Dante's food for a couple of days so gave him some of Leila's and the itching seemed to lessen so we'll give it a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted November 30, 2007 Author Share Posted November 30, 2007 take the flea collar off you don't need it if you use sentinel. waste of money! It's a flea and tick collar, I need the tick collar as I'm in Brisbane so I figured I may as well do both just in case. And as already mentioned by someone else sentinel apparently doesn't kill adult fleas - so the collar would work on that. umm and sometimes the medicated shampoo's can make it worse, especially if they are really strong ones. sometimes it could be a meat allergy. switch from beef to chicken or kangaroo meat-based diet. you have no idea the amount oof ppl who used to come to my shop saying their dog was scratching. if their dog ate a beef based diet i'd suggest switching it to kangaroo and it worked most of the time. I'm trying the medicated shampoo to see whether it has an effect on her scratching, I only just started with it and if I don't see improvement in a few weeks time then I'll stop with it. As for diet, she is fed a predominately chicken based diet but I do throw in the occasional beef bone, lamp flaps or other random offcuts. I've also mentioned previously that I tend to feed a certain meat in batches (lamb flaps this fortnight, chicken next etc) and I have never noticed a difference in her scratching from meat to meat. If the shampoos and other bits I'm using don't work then I will trial her on kangaroo for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now