Scratching

[Kylee]

My 4 1/2 month old Goldendoodle has been scratching and biting herself. She is on Frontline and I have looked all over her for fleas and have not seen anything. I am not sure if she just has dry skin because it is getting so much colder or if she is allergic to something. I was just wondering if anyone's doodle has gone through this and what you did to treat it. Thanks!

[Julie Taylor]

Our 4 1/2 month old, sometimes bites & scratches. Our vet told us to give him zyrtec.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She probably has an allergy but it is unlikely that it is to any food.  Interestingly my dogs, who are on Frontline Plus, are a bit more itchy for about a week after it is applied.  Ned also more easily mats at this time. We do give allergy medicine to two of our dogs when they seem really itchy. We give them generic Zyrtec or Claritan.  Benedryl doesn't help our guys.

We give our dogs Evening Primrose Oil (human grade that we order cheaply from Puritan's Pride) to help with their skin.

You could try to bathe her in a calming non-perfumy shampoo for dogs.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Has she been groomed? My Doodle was scratching and biting himself after being groomed, it was the shampoo in part but also shaving his sanitary area and belly.

[Kylee]

She hasn't been groomed yet, maybe I'll give her a bath when it warms up at little bit. I do want her to be cold or anything.

[Nancye50]

I just had my Jack Russell in to the vet for a checkup and she said this is the time of year dogs have allergy issues exactly like you're describing.

[catherine grose]

Hector did this from his very first days with us. He made his tail bald with the biting. No mites, no flees, no sign of sore skin. Bathing made no difference either way. I felt it could be anxiety. My mum thought he was irritated by grass. Vet said he was too young for allergies. As he had grown (now 5 months) he does it less, but also he can't reach the same places (shorter hair on hips makes any broken hairs less obvious). It makes me sad that he does this and I wish I knew what it was.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My whole post didn't make it.  We give our dogs Evening Primrose Oil capsules - human grade that you can order from Puritan's Pride. We used to put the capsule in the kibble bowl and they would eat it, but now we put a bit of peanut butter around it and they think it is a special treat.  Some people give their dogs Fish Oil, which also provides the Omegas that are helpful for skin, but it gives many dogs loose poops.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Nancy ~ do you give one tablet daily?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yes, I do give one capsule per day - they think it is their breakfast treat! It makes them less effective if you open the capsule and put the oil on the kibble.

[Kylee]

Thank you for the information. I am going to go get her some evening primrose oil and try it out. How many capsules do you give your dog in one day??

[Kylee]

Went to the vet for the scratching. She looked all over Willow and saw nothing out of the ordinary. She gave me special shampoo and told me to give her a bath once a week using the shampoo. She also suggested giving her Benadryl twice a day, but she gets so sleepy so I am not a fan of that. I hope the shampoo helps her out.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for reporting back.  Poor Willow.  Zyrtec or Clariton won't make her sleepy.