Kona is itchy

[Bonnie and Kona]

Several days ago Kona started scratching and biting himself, a lot. I suspected fleas so got the topical drops we have used in the past. Three days after treatment, he is no better. I gave him a bath. He is no better. I finally gave him Benedryl yesterday and today. He has no visible bumps or redness to his skin. He is waking us up in the night scratching. I just feel so sorry for him! Itching is an awful sensation.

 

He has been running where there is poison oak but I'm pretty sure from the internet research I have done that dogs don't get poison oak. (My daughter and I got it from petting the dogs though.)

 

Any ideas???

 

UPDATE

Kona is less itchy today. My daughter is convinced it is poison oak. I am going continue giving him EPO because that seems like a good supplement. Thank you for all of your help! I am so grateful for people on DK.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, I think he's got seasonal allergies; this is the time of year for it. I just got the Claritin out for Jack  this past week, he hasn't needed it since last November. But he's started scratching, licking and face rubbing over the past few days...a sure sign that Spring is in full-bloom!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona is four and never showed signs of allergies before. One of his eyes is running some green gunk. Now what do I do if that's the case? so sad.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

They usually show up between the ages of 1 and 3, but they get worse as a dog gets older, so it's possible that he has been developing mild seasonal allergies over the past year or so, and it's just worse this year...which it definitely is for most allergic people and dogs.

If he's got green gunk coming from his eye, he really needs to see the vet. DO NOT LET THE VET TALK ABOUT FOOD, this has nothing to do with food. Kona may need steroids to calm the itching, and anitbiotics for the eye thing or any other area where he may have caused a skin infection from licking or scratching..

Otherwise, you're going to have to wipe him down every time he comes in from outdoors, especially his feet, wash his bedding and food and water dishes, keep the areas where he spends the most time as well-vacuumed and dust-free as possible. Pick up a bottle of 500 mg. evening primrose oil capsules (human supplement) and give him one a day as you would a pill. You can also try giving him Claritin. There are anti-itch cortisone sprays you can buy in the pet supply store that will relieve the itching on his feet & limbs temporarily. Bursh and comb him a lot and if you bathe him, use only a mild oatmeal based shampoo, no cream rinses or other products, and a cool dryer or let him air-dry.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh dear, oh dear! Thank you so much for the help, Karen. This makes me sad. I happen to have EPO on hand so will start that today. I combed every inch of him yesterday looking for what was itching him but I washed him with Dove dish soap because of the poison oak issue. I rinsed him extensively. Should I wash him again in Oatmeal based shampoo? I can let him air dry as it is really warm right now and he dries well. I do brush him about 5 times a week.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think if you rinsed him well, he should be okay, but i wouldn't use the dish soap again. :)

I would have the vet take a look, though.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I bet the EPO will help. Peri used to lick her paws and bite at the base of her tail this time of year. We have been giving EPO for almost a year now and this doesn't happen anymore.  Peri's must have been very minor, but still, the EPO helps tremendously!

[Kim]

I noticed Allie itching a couple of weeks ago, went and got EPO also and her itching seemed to have stopped the next day!  It must have been minor for her as well!

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Kirby gets seasonal allergies every spring.  His one eye will have a clear discharge that does clear up with benadryl.  Dex has been a little more itchy this year too - I think it is a terrible year for allergies.

I hope Kona feels better soon!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, I hope so, too! This is all making me feel itchy.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Tonight Kona's eye is cleared up completely. I wonder if it was the two days on Benedryl. Whew! One symptom improved! I'm amazed at how he is matting now from the licking and scratching. I had him combed out last night to perfection. He is scratching balls of wool out and making mats. :o(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is scratching away......

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just posted a new discussion in the A.D. support group called "He's Itching...It Must Be Spring", lol.