Itchy Puppy

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

My puppy Finn is just 4 months old and is scratching himself a lot. He has been going in the pool every day and I assumed dry skin. I have been rinsing him and putting a leave on conditioner. I have read all the posts about allergies and I have been to the vet twice.

On my first visit I was advised that allergies are rare in a pup this young. She said it was probably because of the pool and to keep him out of it. She also said I can try Benadryl if I want. Not very helpful at all.

On my 2nd visit, I saw a different vet but not the one I was hoping for. At least this one examined him and saw no fleas or skin irritation. I mentioned mites and she said she saw no lesions or scabs that would indicate mites. She also said I could try Benadryl.

I am not convinced that it is allergies but I want to give Finn some relief. He is chewing and scratching himself. There is no skin damage yet but I am finding tufts of fur on the floor. I am going out to get the evening primrose capsules today.

I am not sure what to do. Should I give him an antihistamine? I don't want a drowsy puppy.Should I give him Claritin instead of Benedryl but what dosage do I give? Finn is 28 lbs.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Did the vet check for sarcoptic mange? So sorry to say it sounds like the symptoms Mickey had. Revolution is the only topical treatment for it but DO NOT use heartworm meds while using it!
Right after Mickey came to live with us, he started scratching.
#1 vet visit couldnt find anything so I just gave him a medicated bath
#2 vet visit a week later - scratching horrendoulsy - vet couldnt see anything - gave him Benadryl shot.
Week later, he still was no miserable had #3 vet visit - went to a new vet this time - diagnosed the mange just due to the symptoms I told him and started him on Revolution.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sarcoptic mange is caused by mites, which is why I mentioned having a scraping done for mites.
Revolution is the treatment, but it needs to be given every two weeks, not once a month as you would for flea preventative.
Revolution contains heartworm preventative too, which is why you need to skip the usual heartworm treatment while they're on the Revolution.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Good to know. Thanks Karen. She did only give me enough for once a month. She mentioned mange but said she would be able to see scabs or something on his skin. How long does it take for the itching to stop?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD's specialist put him on a course of Revolution last fall as a precaution, because he had a flare-up of his allergies right after I had a foster here, and we wanted to make sure he wasn't itching from mites that he might have gotten from the foster. It turned out that he didn't have mites, it was just his allergies, so the Revolution didn't help him. But I know he had to get a dose more often than once a month...I'm going to go find the paperwork and check what the dosage frequency was.
Jack did have scabs, from scratching. I don't think it's true, though, that you can always see scabs. The mites themselves burrow under the skin (ewww) and if not much time has passed, the dog may not have scratched to the point of causing sores that have scabbed over.
Okay, just found the paperwork; The Revolution was given every other week for three doses, so that would be 5-6 weeks, right? His skin scrapings were negative, but with him, they didn't want to take any chances. If the itching stopped from the Revolution, meaning mites, I was to treat the cat as well.