I'm tearing my hair out here trying to sort out this young bitch of mine out!! (See previous postings on her.)
Please can some one give me some advise on how to relieve her of this infernal itching Its driving me up the wall so it must be driving her mad as well.)
Re. 'The Barf diet' book it tells you to go onto completely white meat & fish diet with fish oils and EPO oil if the dog is still itching after being on Barf for a while. Well we've done all that. Last 10 days she's been on completely fish only, meat wise, with a bit of brown rice and veg. Can they be allergic to brown rice? she's never had it before. With the correct dosage, per lb bodyweight, of fish oils and EPO.
Things were looking up but then on yesterday morning for no apparent reason. At least none that I can think of, she's had one bout of awful runny motions
She's been starved for 24 hrs and then only been given a small piece of cod this morn and a chicken wing this aft. but yest and today she is itching like mad and I now see little flakes of dandruff, not Cheyeltiella . And its not flea's either. Things had improved as on Fri. I bathed her in Eucerin shampoo, which did soothe her for 36 hours. No itching at all :D. I also got the Eucerin spray lotion to spray onto her feet and down her back.  I did this as a friend (dog owner/breeder) did think, and suggest, that surely she shouldn't have any more toxins in her by now (Could she?) as she's been on natural food since start of Jan. And she said 'Could it possibly be dry skin which is causing her to itch', as she suffers dry skin in winter and it makes her skin itch.
Can anyone come up with something, to just relieve her. I know it stems from internally so what am I doing wrong? HELP!!!
I've tried the usual shampoo's like Tea tree, Exmarid, sulphur, coal tar, herbal, oatmeal and aloa vera etc. Used the usual over the counter spray's to alliviate itching/scratching, bearing in mind she has a long coat, being a TT, which I have noticed is getting thinner, but I put this down to changing to Barf, as I believe that can happen. Having a long full coat doesn't make it easy for applying lotions or getting sprays throught to the skin.
Would something like 'Episoothe' shampoo help. That can be bought from Canine Chemist, or any other that I can buy. I do not wish to go tho the vet and him to give her a steroid injection but I would like to get her sorted.
Just thought. She had her booster vaccine on 22nd Dec. 04, which I believe can make some dogs itch and she was itching before she had it. Could that be the problem and could it still be making her itch?
Please can anyone help Sorry to go on
Thanks Anne

Unfortunately some Tibs do this, a friend of mine one of hers was the same, thanksgoodness my 4  don't do it cos it would drive me balmy too.As for her thinning coat would not think it is caused by the Barf diet more likely to be all the scratching she is doing.Do you use carpet freshners or anything ,Shake and Vac that type of thing?

No, haven't used anything like that in a very long time. I believe that changing to barf can bring about the coat to drop but it does improve apparantly doesn't say it brings about itching though.
Am I correct that you have the Dragonskeep TT's and Chinese Crested?
Anne

Hi Anne .Yes i am Dragonskeep. I have used the Malaseb Shampoo on my Cresteds and yes it is a great shampoo, but i used it on my hairless boy when he went through his teenage spotty stage and it worked a treat.Another thing you could try is to give her Royal Jelly capsules.My Powderpuff boy gets those with his food.And if her skin is dry you can add a few drops of olive oil to the shampoo.That can help with the Dry skin bit as well as help the coat too.

Does her coat seem greasy at skin level or or if you scratch her for a few minutes is their a greasy film on your fingers ? This is what happened to my bitch and I found Malaseb shampoo cured it. You can only get this shampoo from your vets. I like you thought she was allergic to somehting but could never find out what, turns out she isn't allergic to anything that I was giving her just a greasy type of skin and I am delighted to say I only have to bathe her once every 14 days and we are working up to the 3 week mark and the best bit is there is NO scratching.

Margaret

Just rubbed my fingers through her coat down to her skin and, no its definately not greasy. I would definately say its dry, hence my using the Eucerin. I used it on myself as my legs and arms were itching and my friend told me thats what happens when you have dry skin, so after using it on myself, the itching stopped straight away and hasn't returned, I then went out and bought the shampoo and lotion to use on Safi. As I say it eased it for 36 hours but its started again. Its very difficult to keep bathing her as it takes about 2 hours at a time to bath and dry her, due to her coat. Plus she hates being bathed
I am seriously thinking of having an allergy test done on her. It just seems to cost such a lot to have it done. but if I have to, I have to.

I've checked out the Canine Chemist catalogue for what they have for sale and they have a few different shampoo's Episoothe, Allermyl, Ketaseb. Has anyone had any good results with any of these?
I am open minded enough to have been trying homeopathy ie Sulphur and I see in Canine Chemist that Psorinum (homeopathy) is to help constant itching that nothing seems to relieve. Has anyone tried this? What was the result like?
How long would it take for toxins to get completely out of her?

Hi,
I have had the same problem with my puppy. She was itchy everywhere! I bought some Quistel shampoo and lotion which you can spray on in between bathing.  If you put a search on the net for Quistel you should find it.
I have found it to be very good and its a natural product as well. Hope it helps.
Julie

Hi Julie. Yes I have tried this one also. Got some at LKA in Dec. Just ran out of it, hence giving the eucerin a go, and will get some more at Crufts. It's ok but again it doesn't last very long. I also have the spray lotion which helps a bit but again doesn't last long. Just wish I could get to the bottom of the problem
Thanks anyway though Anne

Hi Crestie Queen
I've not tried Royal Jelly but have heard its very good. Completely forgot about that one. Thanks What is it actually used for. I'm not sure how much more oil I could give her a day. she has 2000mg fish Oil, 1 EPO caps. (Recommended dose as in barf diet book) I did put half a teaspoon of CLO in her dinner and wonder if that may have caused the upset tum Think though if I start her on bones (chicken wings etc) again this week that would help firm things up, if I do go ahead and  give her extra oil. What do you think?
She also has a zinc & vit. C tablet daily 2 garlic and fenugreek tabs daily and a couple of times a week I give her half a teaspoon Naturezyme probiotic powder.
Anne

Anne I give the Royal Jelly to my Puff boy as it is good for coat etc..And as for the oil I tend to give various oils and i do not give the same oil everyday .I also sprinkle some Jordans wheatgerm on their food too as that is a great source of Vit E..Which of course is also good for Skin. Another thing you can also try if she will drink it is some Apple Cider Vinegar in her water.Mine love it but i know that some dogs have a real problem with the taste.You can also like i said try a few drops of olive oil in some Shampoo at her bath time,  and heck also try adding a little to her food a couple of times a week, if you already don,t that is.

Have you tried Piriton tablets from the chemist (the drowsy type ones with 30 in the packet) they won't cure her but might give her (and you) some relief whilst you find out what is the best treatment for her.  I use these with our dog and know quite a few people with itchy dogs use them as well.

CQ I think giving her different oils on different days might well be a good idea. Do you think olive oil might be better than CLO in her food, perhaps on alternate days? I will also try, as you do and put some olive oil in the shampoo when I do her. I have had her on ACV but had to syringe it into her mouth, diluted with water as she drinks very little. Actually next to nothing, which I sometimes think doesn't help her problem. I've even ben known to actually syringe water into her. Another thing I tried for two weeks and have just stopped is Bach crab apple. 2 drops diluted on bottled water and syringed 2-3 ml at a time, into her 3 to 4 times a day. Its supposed to help cleanse. I've also tried her with Aloe Vera juice. 1 teaspoon a day. The thing is I've ended up trying allsorts on her over a period of time. Usually no less than 3 weeksand nothing so far has really helped the matter,  What quantities of oil would you give each day? She weighs about 22lb

Anna Thanks for that I'll certainly look into the Piriton idea. Would Benadryl work the same as I have read in some american book that you can give Benadryl, but Piriton may be better. Will it make her sleepy?

Hi again Anndee,  I haven't heard of Benadryl but my dog has one piriton at night and one 12 hours later in the morning to help with his itching.  He is on the James Wellbeloved lamb and rice which is hypoallergenic. Vets can prescribe piriton but are probably a lot more expensive than the ones at the chemist.  I don't think it will make your dog drowsy, it just says on the packet that if drowsy don't drive or operated machinery (which I doubt your dog will be doing anyway   )   On another forum I go on a lot of us have problems with itchy dogs and we all use piriton or boots allergy tablets which are about a £1 cheaper and much the same according to the pharmacist at boots.  One lady on the forum has a German Shepherd with really bad problems and piriton has been a godsend for her and has practically stopped him scratching.  It is worth a try anyway, hope it works.

Piriton makes me like a zombie for about 24 hours

Hi Isabel,  I suppose it will depend on the dog really then.  Our dog doesn't seem to get drowsy when he has them and I take them sometimes because I sneeze like mad if I come into contact with dust or hay in the shed and get an itching feeling in my back which is really uncomfy, but they don't seem to make me drowsy at all (a nice large glass of red wine which I am having at the moment does though  

I have just learnt how to do smilies, can you tell?  However I don't know how to do the ones with the teeth or the angry ones, any ideas??

: D with no gap for a toothy grin but I hope you will never have to learn to do the angry ones

Thanks Isabel, no you are right I would never use the angry ones on here (I would be too scared  ) Thanks for the info on the others though.

Thanks for that Anna. I have just looked in my first aid drawer and I have Benadryl and Boots Hayfever Relief, which is probably not the same as the Boots allergy tablets you mention. Boots contain 10mg loratadine and Benadryl contain 10mg cetrizine dihydrochloride. I shall go tomorrow morning and buy some Piriton, which contains 4mg chlorpheniramine maleate. What dose do you think? 1 every 12 hours same as yours? How soon should I see some results, to know if its working?
Thanks for the advise I really appreciate it. If I can just get to the bottom of whats causing it I will be a very happy bunny :D And I'm sure Safi would be as well. I have her mum, and she's never been a problem with anything.
Anne

Hi Anndee,

The allergy relief tablets from boots also contain Chlorphenamine Maleate 4mg and it says also contains Lactose.   I'm not too sure about the doseage although I do give ours two a day and he is a Bichon and he seems okay with this.  Perhaps you could start with one a day and see if it makes any difference.  I think they usually start to work more or less straight away.  I asked one of the vets I went to if it was okay to give piriton and she said yes.  I also asked if  he could be allergic to the piriton and she said that it would be a very unlucky dog that was allergic to something that was trying to stop him being allergic.  Does your dog scratch his ears as well as his body?

Has anyone tried periactin? It contains 4mg Cyproheptadine hydrochloride. I havnt heard of anyone mentioning this particular chemical,does anyone use any anti-histamines that contain cypro. ?

Are the antihistamines you are talking about "human tabs" ? As the abovementioned are over the counter people tabs.

Hi Anna, I am going out now to buy some Piriton, and some Royal Jelly. No she doesn't really scratch at her ears but I do check them regularly and pluck the hair from them so I do keep a close eye there. I have noticed that they are warm but sayiung that she is warm all over. A lot warmwer than her mum is to the touch. Her pads get very warm as well which is prob. why they itch. Just can't seem to cool her down.

Hi Rose. I've never heard of Periactin. Yes they are human antihistamines bought over the counter. Lets hope they work
Anne

Well, I've got the Piriton and I have also bought some Febreze allergen remedy which I have sprayed all over their bedding and where they lay. You never know. It may help a little bit
I have rung the vets and to get an allergy test for the main 35 allergies that they test on, will cost £140. I think I am going to have to go down that avenue as I can't seem to alleviate things. In fact she seems worse today.
One thing I did think of earlier today and that is, she really doesn't drink at all Which is why its no good me putting things in her water. I've had a sulphur block in there since early Dec. 04. I've syringed water into her before now but its not the answer. Any suggestions how to get her to drink more, which would poss. help flush out her system. I've tried a little bit of ribena in her water I've tried a little bit of goats milk in her water and I do add water to her dinner now, but I still don't think she gets enough to flush her out. Any ideas on that one?
Anne

Hi Anndee,

So isn't the piriton working at all then?  You don't think that she could be made worse by the febreeze do you because I have heard of dogs that are.  I think you are just best washing her bedding in  say something like Fairy powder that you wash baby clothes in rather than spraying it with something that might make her worse.  Is it the Yorke test that you are having done or is it another test that tests for allergies?

As for the water thing, what food do you feed her on?  If a dog is on dried food it usually drinks a lot more water than when on wet foods.

I have posted a message earlier today as my Mum's Staffy bitch has a terrible itching problem. She has suffered hair loss with her itching too and I was wondering if anyone has had good results with phytopica. She has tried diet, injections to deal with allergies (which didn't help), she has now been put on Phytopica by the vet, so we'll see how she goes. I have put the web site below: www.phytopica.com hope this helps!

Hi Anna. Only just come back online so sorry for delay in replying. I don't think the Febreze has made things worse. And I haven't given the Piriton yet as I'm leaving it till bedtime then I can dose her every 12 hours. If I'd given it this aft. I'd have been up in the early hours to dose her again. So I'll give her one shortly. To be honest I'm not sure which allergy test it will be as the vet. nurse only said they test fore the top 35 allergys, she didn't say what it was called. I will get more details when I actually amke the booking. By the way, do you know how they actually do the testing? will they have to clip any coat off her? Is it done while I'll still be there? How long does it take? As for the water issue, even when she was on dry kibble she drank very little, and now she's on barf she doesn't drink at all. I know they get fluid from the food in barf, but I'd still like her to drink something! It does make me wonder if this could have been the start of the problem. She'd been on kibble since being weaned on it, until 8 weeks ago. She's 18 months old. Thanks Anne

Hi Wellie. I'd be interested to know how your mum's Staffie gets on with the Phytopica and thanks for the website. I will go and have a look on it now. Anne

Hi Wellie. I've just checked out the website on Phytopica and it looks quite good. Do you get it through the vet and how much is it, if you don't mind me asking? How long has the Staffie been on it and is there any sign of improvment yet? Does she eat it OK?  Hope it works for her. I will mention it to my vet when I see him about allergy testing.
Anne

Hi, phytopica is quite expensive and you can only buy it from the vet, I emailed phytopica but they don't sell direct. The amount needed goes on the weight of your dog, my mum's Staffy is 17kg and the sachets of powder will last approx 34 days and costs approx £60.00. She has no trouble getting her to eat it, she hasn't been on it long but it has reduced the amount she itches. She has also put her on herbal remedy for dogs: mixed vegetables and garlic & fenugreek, these combined are aimed at helping skin complaints. the web address is:
www.dorwest.com

Hope the itching stops!

Thanks for that Wellie. Safi has been on garlic and fenugreek for months now, and EPO and fish oils. She gets mixed veg with her meals,
BUT last night I gave her a Piriton and again today 12 hours later and!!! She hasn't scratched very much at all today :D  In fact hardly at all. YIPEE!!!!!! She has been a little quieter than normal so I will try her on half a tablet tonight and tomorrow, see how she is with that. I was amazed, as, when I felt her paws this morning they felt quite cool which they have never done before, always felt hot. So what a good result. I know its not the long term solution, I wouldn't like her to be on them forever, but if it helps her short term, then thats all to the good. Thanks Anna for recommending them. I love you :D :D :D I feel so happy for her. Just hope I can get to the real bottom of her problem before much longer.
What do ya think, can I get her a full coat back in, before the 11th? Crufts   No did'nt think so. Aahh well never mind, her comfort is most important to me than doing well at Crufts. I'm sure her coat will come back even better when it does body up again.
I am going to get the Royal jelly, when I can find some. Boots don't sell it any more, so I will have to go to a health food shop I suppose. Anyone know where it can be bought?
Thanks again for all the help. Once again CD'ers have come up trumps for me.
Anne

One of my cavaliers itched so much he took all his fur off on his lower chest, I got some Quistel whilst I was in the Netherlands & after bathing him with the shampoo & regular use of the lotion the fur is regrowing & he has stopped itches, it was recommended to me by a vet in the Netherlands

For Royal Jelly try here they are very quick & the price includes postage Last order I sent for arrived the next day !

Hi Anndee,

Oh I'm so glad that the piriton are working and stopping her from scratching.  On another forum that I go on we all use them for our dogs and they do seem to work.   I would have thought that you would be okay to give her up to 2 a day because our Bichon has this many with no ill effects.   He used to scratch like mad all over last year and now only scratches his ears and sometimes makes a sore on them so he has to have steroids.

Hi Anndee, glad the Piriton is helping and think you're right to try a half dose as she's sleepy.  A small word of warning - I gave them to my girl when she had an allergy that was driving her nuts last year, and while they were great at relieving her itching, they also made her a bit breathless, so just keep an eye on her, hopefully she'll be fine.