How much is too much itching/scratching/biting self?UPDATE

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Our new puppy, now about 17 weeks old has been itching and scratching so much that it's driving her and us crazy.  I just held up my camera to wait for her to start scratching and I didn;t have to wait 1 minutes between one scratch to the other. The only time she isn't is when she is asleep. And then I hear her during the night.

She is on Fromm, and I know it is rare that it could be food, but she gets yogurt also. I just started giving EPO and Fish Oil this weekend. She is bathed often, because she digs, but I went from baby shampoo to a non-soap oatmeal shampoo that I use on Murphy (who hardly has ever been an itchy doggie)

This morning I rinsed her in 50/50 White Vinegar and water also. She just kept licking that. I left it on without rinsing. Am I supposed to rinse?

This isn't necessarily a change from when we got her at 10 weeks old, just getting to be more annoying as it is so frequent. No red or hot spots, no particular area, just all over her body from paws to tail and everywhere in between. This is her usual pose!

 

I AM HAPPY TO REPORT A MAJOR INPROVEMENT IN BELLA'S SCRATCHING. FOR ANYONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I DID:

1. I washed her in the Tropiclean Oatmeal Shampoo. Got it at Petco. Followed directions and sudz'd her up and massaged in for 7-8 min. This helped about 50% right away.

2. I used a spray leave-in called:Earthbath, Tea Tree Oil formula and again followed directions and used after her bath and occassionally afterward. This seems to cut down the scratching about another 20-30%

3. I did not bathe her again for 3 weeks.

4. Added Fish Oil capsules to her EPO capsules she recieved daily. This probably has finally kicked in and with all the above has limited her scratching to maybe 3-4 times a day rather than 3-4 every 10 minutes all day.

 

She is getting baths again and has had 2 in the past 2 weeks. Using the Tropiclean. It is a soapless shampoo and my Vet recommended soapless when I had asked her about the itching.

 

So she is much happier and so are we. I hope this will help someone else. Thanks again for all your advise with this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Didn't know if this was for the Grooming, Food or Medical Group.

 

Monday update: she seems about 50% better with the good shampoo and spray. At least she can play and be more normal without stopping every 2 minutes to itch!!!  Now just wait it out and see if less frequent bathing makes it better. Let's hope, that's an easy fix.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree with F - my dogs get baths about 2 times per year from me. Otherwise, only when Peri is groomed. We rinse off her paws or use baby wipes if she gets muddy.

I wouldn't say she had severe itchiness, but the EPO has helped soooo much. Last fall the leaves drove her crazy; this fall she has had no itching, licking paws, etc... I attribute it to EPO - no change in diet or anything else...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree too! Once the mud dries the mud falls off it seems. A good brush and brushing is all you need.

[Adina P]

Unfortunately their mud dries off all over my floors.  If it wasn't such an ordeal I'd bathe mine once a week.   Between their wrestling and dirt and dingleberries and stinky chins and pee residue on their undersides... Icky!  I just ignore these thoughts or try to until I can't any more :) 

[F, Calla & Luca]

If they are real muddy crate or at least confine them. I keep their rear ends and other excretory parts clipped close but occasionally I need to wash them back "there". Calla carefully cleans her urethral area. And I don't get stinky chins because I'm anti beard. Every now and again things get a little messy but then the laundry gets done. I just went on a major campaign, washed the covers on the sofa throw pillows, the throws on the sofas, my duvet covet etc. Sometimes I think my whole house is doodlecentric and it is.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I actually have been using the baby wipes on her bottom after she goes potty, as she gets a pee=pee smell if I don't. I have recently given her a sanitary trim and that has helped. I will certainly not bath her as much as I'd hate for that to be the cause and at this point I'd like to fix the problem regardless of smell, feel or color. As for mud, it is surprising how it falls off when dry, but she will stay a pretty orangey-red for awhile unless she is washed off. Oh well. A little color never hurt anything. Thanks everyone.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You live in Arizona. What about a kiddie pool. We use it on Spud and Starlit in the summer and the fresh water in the pool every other day really cuts down on the dirt. This way you are not shampooing her skin oils off she so much needs

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I used to be in the "bathing-too-often-dries out-the-skin" camp, until I learned otherwise from Jack's dermatology specialist. If (and that's a BIG if) the itching is caused by pollens or other environmental allergens, frequent bathing really helps- simply because it gets rid of all the allergens that are sitting on their coats, being deposited on their beds, and following them around everywhere they go. Brushing does remove a lot of dirt; however, if the pollens that their coats collect are what's causing the problem, brushing them indoors just releases all that into the air of your home. When Jack has a bad flare, he must have a bath every week, and it really really helps. Again, special shampoo left on 5-10 minutes before rinsing, and cool dryer or air-dry. This does not dry out the skin or coat.
But it isn't necessary for dogs who don't have itchy skin issues. My poodles got bathed every 6 weeks, and that was plenty. Wiping them down with a damp cloth when they come inside also helps, but I would not use anything that has fragrance or other ingredients like some baby wipes do. I just use a well-wrung out, damp washcloth.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

The shampoo last night really did make a difference. I am using the babywipes on her bottom for the pee but not on her body yet. We could just rinse her off if need be and not use shampoo. I haven't tried that....
I have read tons about shampooing no more than a few times a year and I just don't get it. Seems to me they would feel better if they are clean. Murphy seems to, or maybe it's just me !!

[Adina P]

I think it's US who feel better. But that's okay with me because if my dogs are gonna live indoors (non-negotiable) they need to be cleaner than average--which they rarely are but I can dream!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree Adina. I hope Bella's issue is just a matter of finding a happy balance with frequency and the right shampoo because I love a clean dog to snuggle with!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just changed to fragrance and dye free detergent for myself after a bad rash, which I think was from a new Tide formulation.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I had that happen about a year ago from trying a new detergent, I think it was FAB. It was miserable. That;s probably why I am so empathetic to Bella's itching.