Super Scratchy

Raja, my 11 week old Corgi mix, has a scratching problem. We've had him for a week and a half and he has been such a good boy during that time. Sure he's had a few accidents and is still learning not to bite us, but for the most part he's been such a good mannered puppy. And he scratches incessantly. When you go to pet him, he automatically rolls onto his back and as your rub his tummy he scratches himself to ecstasy.  But when we aren't petting him, he stops mid-run just to scratch and will continue to do so off and on throughout the day. We were convinced it was fleas (spotting 1) and promptly gave him top of the line medication. A week later and he's still scratching fervently. Just this morning I noticed how raw his belly was and it looked like it was on the verge of bleeding. Immediately I searched for causes and remedies for my poor puppies ailment. I believe its either an allergy or a neurogenetic problem. Does anyone have experiences with a similar problem? I will definitely take him to the Vet ASAP, but if it's an allergy then I know that's not easily diagnosed. We feed him Iams Smart Puppy Proactive Health and twice a week we treat him with Nylabone Calcium Sticks for Puppies. It's definitely not the shampoo we use because he was scratching well before we bathed him. The bedding was the same one he had before we brought him home and have not washed it. I also have a small suspicion that it's may be the grass. I would appreciate any advise. Please let me know if any additional information is needed.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on October 4, 2011 at 2:17pm

If you definitely don't think it's fleas it's most likely something in his food or an airborne allergy. You can give dogs benadryl and claritin/zyrtec for allergies, but with an 11 week old puppy I would absolutely ask your vet first. What I would do is get him in to the vet to get a professional opinion and find out what you can possibly give him for some relief. Then I would also try changing to a higher quality food without corn to see if that made any difference. You could also try just changing the protein source as well.

Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on October 4, 2011 at 6:30pm
Hi Danielle, what kind of "top of the line medication" did you give Raja? Where does he scratch? does he bite? When was the grass last fertilized / treated with pesticide? Could you take an in focus picture of the redness / raw spot?
Permalink Reply by Danielle Peacock on October 5, 2011 at 11:31pm

Thank you guys. The flea medication was given to us by the vet, Frontline. He does scratch and bite various areas but my main concern is either sides of his belly where he scratches most. I will try my best to take a good picture. As for Iams, I know we could do better, but unfortunately we are tight on money and Iams is the best of the of the leading brands which is sold at a decent price... If you can suggest a better brand that won't break the bank, I would appreciate it.

In regards to the grass, it's never been fertilized as far as I know. Treated for pesticide, I'm not sure. I need to check with my exterminator, but I believe it's been 6 months and I don't believe the grass was treated, just around the perimeters of the house.

Permalink Reply by Danielle Peacock on October 5, 2011 at 11:40pm
Ok. Here's a picture. Sorry it really isn't that good resolution... But I circled the areas I'm concerned with.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on October 6, 2011 at 2:00am
Try eliminating corn from the diet.  Common allergen.  Siri's severe scratching ceased when we went to raw meat.  We think it was corn or other grain in the food.
Permalink Reply by Danielle Peacock on October 6, 2011 at 1:31pm
We're going to the vet today. More than likely we will switch diet. But obviously we will wait to hear what the vet says. Anyone have some suggestions? I saw in the FAQ a brand called Blue Buffalo? Any other good ones you recommend?
Permalink Reply by Cathy on October 6, 2011 at 3:24pm

I had Cody allergy tested (expensive) but found out that he is allergic to pine, and some grasses.  He also has food allergies.  These we found out by putting him on a basic food (duck and potato) and then after a while trying to add things in.  He is allergic to wheat and corn.  So now he my dogs eat Taste of the Wild it is grain free.  I use benydryl (generic brand) and when he is really bad he has to have some steroids.  But that is usually only a couple of doses a couple of times a year.  I also found a shampoo that works wonders for them. Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps, I use the lavender one.  Soothes their skin. 

Permalink Reply by Danika White on October 6, 2011 at 5:23pm
Bear has allergies that flare in the spring and fall. Seems to be associated with the mold count being really high. Our vet has treated him with steroids to get the itching in control and then put him on allergy medicine. He doesn't have to have it all the time and we just watch for when the itching starts. Like Raja he was itching the sides of his belly and up toward his front legs. I also noticed that the insides of his ears, his belly, and other areas where the fur is thinner appeared to be very red. As soon as we got him leveled out on the allergy meds the red and itching went away!

Happy puppy returns. :)

Danika
Permalink Reply by Aber, Ragnar and Kelso on October 8, 2011 at 5:48pm
Aber used to have fall and spring flair ups as well, and the vet said it was probably mold.  I started adding vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil to his food.  It really really helped and made his coat shinier too :)
Permalink Reply by Cathy on October 10, 2011 at 9:57am
I add a little olive oil to Cody and Lucy's food and it also hels their skin, they also love it and gobble down their food.

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