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.

[Bonnie and Kona]

A.D support group? I went onto your page to see what groups you are a member of and I still can't figure out which one is AD. Sorry I'm being so stupid.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Atopic Dermatitis Support Group. For owners of dogs who've been diagnosed with severe seasonal or inhalant (some people call them environmental) allergies, and are under the care of a specialist. But we have members whose dogs have not yet been diagnosed, or have just mild allergies, and others who are just interested. You're welcome to join, but I don't think Kona's issues are as serious, or they probably would have shown up before now.

[Bonnie and Kona]

TERRIFYING! I am so so sorry for you and Jack. What a heartbreaking condition.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It is, but knock on wood, we're managing it. It's been well over two years since he had to take steroids, and I'm hoping this year, he'll be even better than last year.

[Christine & Camus]

Add Camus to the Doodles with allergies list.  His itching had calmed down over the winter, with the help of allergy medication.  But then his eyes started to water, progressing to constant discharge.  When I noticed how red his eyes were I took him to the vet.  Vet said allergies and gave me eye drops, which cleared it up, but he has started with a slight discharge again.  And he has started scratching again.  It does not help that he loves, I mean loves, to roll in the grass!  Spring may prove to be a challenge for us.  I itch as much as he does.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Back to the poison oak question. My daughter, a far better internet researcher than I, found that dogs can get poison oak. She is now bathing Kona in a 50/50 white vinegar/water solution. We also have some Tech-nu which helps people with poison oak and was suggested as a treatment. Unfortunately Kona is 90 pounds and no one has that much Tech-nu, thus the vinegar option.

 

I'll post here if it turns out to be the poison oak option. Please God, let it be poison oak and not Atopic Dermatitis. Karen's posts make me cry. Poor Jack.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The thing is, yes, a dog can get poison oak or poison ivy, although it's rare, but it's usually very localized, and I don't think it would cause the running eyes. But that doesn't mean Kona has anything like what Jack has; there are mild seasonal allergies, with symptoms that appear once or twice a year, in spring or fall, and go away again.

I saw the info about dogs and poison oak on websites like "Yahoo answers", along with the vinegar/water solution, and I wouldn't put much stock in that kind of thing, in general. That information is just the general public's opinions, like letters to the editor, lol. But if it helps, there's no harm in trying it, I guess. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona certainly slept better last night. I did give him Benedryl before bedtime and he had the vinegar bath (well rinsed) His scratching seems to be less this morning also. It may be wishful thinking on my part. I am starting to think he has allergies but clearly not to the extent of poor Jack. His eyes have completely cleared up since starting the Benedryl. 

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful information you have shared with me. You are a gift to every discussion... not just the allergy ones. I am so grateful for your input. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad Kona is feeling better. And thanks for the kind words!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Chloe has been itching also and LICKING her back foot! The vet always says it's the food but we are done with switching that, we've also tried benadryl.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Olivia (Doodle #2) also seems to be suffering from seasonal allergies.  This is a first for her.  Sydney (Doodle #1) is still on prednisone for what we now think may have been a severe reaction from the vaccines she received a few weeks ago, Sydney is not suffering from allergies right now but she is still being treated for her reaction 3 weeks ago.  Sydney's immune system was attacking her body.  She was violently sick for about 5-6 days and we have been nursing her for the whole three weeks.  Sydney is being taken off one med at a time to see how she does.  As for Allergies, (which we wish was our only problem right now) during our annual checkup for Sydney (when she got the dreaded vaccines), our Vet recommended: 1 and 1/2 tablets of 4mg Chlor-Trimeton twice a day for allergies/itching. So Sydney is on 4 meds and thankfully not suffering from allergies right now and Olivia is scrating up a storm.  Good thing Kathy and I are unemployed right now.  Taking care of Sydney has been a full time job.  We can't wait to get back to work.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Bless your hearts. I keep hoping to hear Syndey is returning to health. Do you ghave Olivia on the Chlor Trimeton?