Itchy Doodle??

[April S.]

Luna has been itchy from day 1.... I thought it was because she didn't necessarily come from a super clean home but she is still itchy.   She is always picking at herself - nipping and scratching.  She doesn't have fleas or ticks, she is treated monthly.   I feed her Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy food.... the vet said she might just be "itchy" or have allergies of some sort.    I have tried anti-itch stuff, the vet sold me a bottle of "spray benedryl" for her skin - doesn't seem to last though.   I started putting fish oil on her food to see if it maybe her skin is just dry or something.  Any thoughts on this? Are your doodles itchy??  She doesn't go swimming either and goes to the groomer every 6 weeks or so.  She is mostly itchy on her tail, her hips, paws and belly. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Luna probably does have allergies, but not to food. She probably has seasonal allergies, or Atopic Dermatitis, as it is properly called. How old is she?

We have literally pages and pages of information here on DK about this, as it is a very common question. Here's a discussion about it that was just posted in the forum yesterday: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/itching-itching-itching

You can try doing some searches for "itchy" or "itching". We have good info info in the Health & Medical Group. Here's one discussion on basic facts about allergies in dogs: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Karen -- How young can this show up?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've had some members of the A.D. Group whose dogs started having symptoms between 4-6 months old, but that's uncommon. Dermatologists don't typically do skin testing until thay are at least a year old. Usually it shows up between 1 and 3 years of age. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Generally itchiness can simply be caused by dry skin and/or a lack of the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, as well as a poor Omega 6:3 ratio in the diet. Fish oil supplements help with that. However, that kind of itchiness is generally all over and not in the specific areas of histamine receptors, like the itching from Atopy is. 

And a common cause of itchiness in dogs is mites. Mites are not visible to the eye; the vet must do skin scrapings and check them under the microscope to diagnose mites. 

[April S.]

Luna is 8 months old - she's had this since we got her (at 10 weeks)  with lots of snow on the ground.  There is nothing visible on her skin at all.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's most likely not allergies then. Has your vet done a skin scraping? 

[Marilyn Norberg]

Our doodle "Irish" seems to always be itchy also. Since late June she's been on OTC allergy pills but just in the last few weeks her problems has gotten worse. So as of this past Monday the vet has her on 10mg of cetirizine (2tabs twice daily) - I don't think she's getting much relief, but I want to give it a few more days to "kick in". Last year when she had this problem the vet prescribed chlorpheniramine 4mg-2 tabs every 8 hours. It can't be her food b/c she has been on a grain free diet for almost 2 years now. It must be the mold and pollen this time of year but I hate it. Her paws and legs are so pink and getting raw - I hate it and I hate sayin "No Irish, quit eating your feet"!!!! I refuse to place her on prednisone b/c then it's uncontrollable peeing and bringing out the doggie diapers........I need some more suggestions or better yet a pill that really works!!!!! Please someone help.......August and Sept are gonna be a couple of loooooong months around here if we can't get this itching under control once and for all.......I've even given her oatmeal soakings and soothing doggie sprays......I just feel that the vet doesn't realize how annoying this is for my "little sweetie"!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Marilyn, I think I have given you the best help anyone can with my advice to see a veterinary dermatology specialist. Much as we wish there was a pill that would make Atopy go away, there isn't. However, there is effective treatment available that will get the itching under control, but you need to make that dermatology appointment. General practice vets are not experts in every field, and they are not allergy specialists, just as your primary care physician is not an allergy specialist. Please make that appointment.  http://www.acvd.org/locator/locator.asp

[Marilyn Norberg]

Thanks for the dermatology info. The nearest specialist  is 2 hours away. On Monday I am once again going to follow up w/our normal vet to get her to prescribe chlorpheniramine b/c the cetirizine doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Until Monday I will bump up the dose to 6 tablets (10mg) per day instead of the 4 tablets that Irish is currently taking. Do you think this is a safe thing to do just to see if possible this might work - and most important do you think this will be safe for me to do? Irish is 60 pounds in weight.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would not increase the Zyrtec dosage without clearing that with the vet first. Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to travel a little further to consult a specialist. Once you have had a consultation and have started a treatment plan, you won't have to make that trip more than once a year.

[Ann & Duncan]

Hi- I had a Shihtzu that had terribly dry skin and we were told it was allergies. It was never suggested to us to put fish oil or olive oil on his food, but I'd encourage you to keep doing it! As I know it has helped other friend's dogs. You might try a health food store as they have a section for pets! Hope this issue is resolved as it's difficult watching them be so uncomfortable. Ann

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Olive oil won't help, the Omega fatty acids in olive oil are Omega 9s, which are non-essential (the body makes them) and have no anti-inflammatory properties. 

For the fish oil, you're better off buying human fish oil supplements; less expensive and often better quality.