Very itchy! (All over...) *UPDATE* #2

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

For about the last day Luna has been scratching herself ALL over.  Excessive grooming of her paws, scratching her face and body etc.  Her eyes have also been watering more than usual.  

Since Ragweed season just started, I figured that was the problem (since I have ragweed allergies and they've been bad the last few days).  I gave her a Reactine yesterday and this morning hoping it would help, but she's still scratching.  Last year at her checkup the vet had said reactine was fine 1/day for her size if we suspect she has seasonal allergies.

She was scratching SO much last night that she was keeping us awake - my husband actually bathed her at 4 AM hoping it would give her some relief.

She hasn't eaten anything unusual, she has no skin symptoms (that I can find anyway) other than a bit of redness, probably from all the scratching.  

Do you think this is a cause for a vet visit or is it probably just seasonal allergies gone crazy?

*UPDATE*

New symptom... small hive-like bumps on her tummy and a few places on her body.  She's also rolling around on the floor in discomfort on occasion.  

 

Hives are usually an immediate reaction... why now?  WTD?

 

Also - if I run my fingers along her skin... she tenses her skin muscles (in a reflexive way).  It's really weird.

 

Maybe a vet visit is in order after all.  Hopefully they can fit us in tomorrow when they have evening appointments.

 UPDATE #2

 

Okay, so Reactine (20 mg/day) isn't working and Claritin didn't do any better (15 mg/day).  I want to try Bendaryl, because Luna's scratching is getting to the point where she is damaging herself (little scratches caused by her claws, spots on her face losing hair due to rubbing).  I have read a few different sources that say 1 mg/lb every ~8 hours.  I want to call the vet to confirm, but I thought I'd ask here too.  

 

Does anyone know the safe recommended Benadryl dosage for dogs?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

*UPDATE* (also updated original post)

New symptom... small hive-like bumps on her tummy and a few places on her body.  She's also rolling around on the floor in discomfort on occasion.  

 

Hives are usually an immediate reaction... why now?  WTD?

 

Also - if I run my fingers along her skin... she tenses her skin muscles (in a reflexive way).  It's really weird.

 

Maybe a vet visit is in order after all.  Hopefully they can fit us in tomorrow when they have evening appointments.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The muscle tensing when you run your fingers along her skin is a classic symptom of atopy. It's something the dermatology vets do when they examine new patients to test for that reaction.

The bumps may not be hives; it can also be a skin rash caused by the scratching and licking; a pre-cursor to moist dermatitis.

All in all, this really does soundlike seasonal allergies, and the timing couldn't be more exact. I'd say a vet visit is in order, but do not let him/her talk about food.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

what is it with doodles and this condition? i bumped into another doodle yesterday who had the same problem.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 Labrador Retrievers are second only to German Shepherds in cases of Atopic Dermatitis. It's genetic, and the mode of inheritance is not known. Golden Retrievers are also listed in the breeds most commonly affected.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Our vet is pretty good at just asking about what we're feeding her and writing it down.  She doesn't ask us why or try to push things.. however this kind of thing may prompt a rant, let's hope not!

We bought some allergy shampoo so hopefully it can give her some temporary relief.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm just worried that she will recommend an Rx food for "specially formulalted for allergies".  

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah, they have the back of the practice stocked with Hill's Rx :p  I'm pretty good at saying no.  They're a small practice about a 3 minute drive away from the biggest vet hospital in the city, so they don't push too hard to avoid losing customers.

Allergy shampoo did nothing, so it looks like she'll be heading to the vet soon.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Actually, allergy shampoo did help a bit.   Change of plans!

She's gone from constantly scratching with her paw to mostly grooming with her teeth and licking - less damaging to her skin/fur (short-term anyway).  She's definitely sleeping a lot more too.

I'm going to pick up some Claritin on the way home from work and see if it works better than the reactine.  

I found some info. that said 0.25-0.5 mg/kg of dog...  Luna is about 15-16 kg so 6 mg for her.  However, I've seen in other posts that you (Karen) said JD gets several times the human dosage and other sources said 22 mg per 10 kg of dog.  There seems to be a lack of reputable internet sources on this kind of thing.  

Luna is about 40 lb. so it should be safe for her to take 1 x 10 mg tablet daily I would think?  Maybe at least a call to the vet is in order - they don't mind answering the occasional phone question.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack weighs 82 lbs and takes three 10 mg Claritin (loratidine) once a day. But I'm not sure the dose is weight dependent, because it isn't for humans. The human dosage is one 10 mg tablet once a day, regardless if it's a 120 lb woman or a 200 lb man. 

Most vets don't have any experience with Claritin or any human antihistamine other than Benadryl, so you may not get any help with that.  

One can't hurt, but it may not help.

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

What brand of Shampoo ??

I am glad it worked.  I give Chester Claritin- 10 mg / day - But I don't think it is enough.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

It's NaturVet AllerPet-911 shampoo.  They have a whole line of allergy-related products.  Most of them probably aren't worth it, though - the shampoo alone was $20/bottle.

I tried the 10 mg Claritin last night, doesn't seem to do anything extra over the reactine.  I might try 2 tablets later to see if it makes a difference.  

Last resort before the vet is Benadryl - I'm not sure how sleepy it will make her, but if she seems "drugged up" I won't be happy using that.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

the vet will probably want to put her on Vanectyl P.  Poor sweet Luna :(