Constant Scratching and Chewing

[ewashkow]

For about the past two weeks or so, my 4 year old GSP mix Archer has been scratching and chewing himself. Normally, I wouldn't care but this type of behavior is out of the norm for him.

Based off of where he was chewing, I checked his anals. Empty after checking both ways. Still chewing. It is at the point where some of the hair is just thinning and in other parts, it is red and bleeding.

He has pretty much only been scratching his neck, which isn't that bad, but he normally doesn't hence why I notice. He has also started doing "happy foot" when I scratch his back. He never does that!

I keep him on Frontline year round and my cats, who aren't on preventative don't act like they have fleas so I don't think that's it. I bathed him a day or so after I noticed the behavior starting and nothing out of the norm there either.

Any suggestions?

 

[remaxrealtor]

For about the past two weeks or so, my 4 year old GSP mix Archer has been scratching and chewing himself. Normally, I wouldn't care but this type of behavior is out of the norm for him.

Based off of where he was chewing, I checked his anals. Empty after checking both ways. Still chewing. It is at the point where some of the hair is just thinning and in other parts, it is red and bleeding.

He has pretty much only been scratching his neck, which isn't that bad, but he normally doesn't hence why I notice. He has also started doing "happy foot" when I scratch his back. He never does that!

I keep him on Frontline year round and my cats, who aren't on preventative don't act like they have fleas so I don't think that's it. I bathed him a day or so after I noticed the behavior starting and nothing out of the norm there either.

Any suggestions?

Same thing happened recently with my puppy...turns out he has a wheat allergy. Have you switched food?

 

[cattitude]

Could still be fleas...do you have flea comb? That way you can see if there is "dirt" on him. Fleas don't spend much time on the dogs/cats. Could be something that is blooming this time of year or he could be shedding and just need a good brushing. Blowing out their coat will cause them to itch and get sores.

Try Gold Bond Medicated Powder on his sores..it should dry them up.

Food can be a problem as well.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Any suggestions?

Get some tar/coal shampoo. I don't know if you can find it in stores. I purchased mine from the vet for a little under $20. Awesome stuff!!

 

[Pete]

D-i-n-o-v-i-t-e

 

[K_Jo]

D-i-n-o-v-i-t-e

 

[ewashkow]

Thanks for the suggestions.

No, there has been no change in the food. He has been on Purina Lamb and Rice for years to try and avoid food allergies.

Yes, I have a flea comb and ran it over a couple spots on him-base of tail, middle of back, behind ears-and got no dirt or bugs.

I didn't think about shedding or possible blooming being a problem. I'll do that and check for any new growth in the yard.

Thanks again!

 

[Lilypad]

ewashkow

I've got an older dog with the same problem-no fleas, no change in diet or detergent on her bedding, etc. I have bathed her with an anti itch shampoo and lightly spray her w/H2O mixed w/Skin so Soft.
I have started giving her a low dose of Benadryl, which seems to help. I'm beginning to think it is a "seasonal" thing.

 

[wineo]

My Lab has the same thing. Last time this happened turned out to be a bacterial infection and she ended up on steroids, antibotic and ear meds. Chewing paws, scratching under her chin and ears. Have to take her to the vet this weekend for more meds.

 

[stars24]

My dog has been doing the same exact thing. She developed a hotspot under her leg from all the scratching and chewing (we used caladryl, hotspot spray from petco, and benedryl.... and an elizabethean collar when we can't watch her every move) but she is still scratching up around her collar and her face. She is on frontline and I see no signs of fleas. We changed her food to a wheat free variety and have been giving no treats with wheat. I don't see any improvement with the itching so far. I'm starting to think it seasonal as well. Especially since she appears to have a runny nose and watery eyes too. My husband's allergies have been really bad too... maybe it's just the time of year?

 

[spinner]

itching

It's seasonal, about a quarter of the dogs I'm grooming have some kind of skin problems right now. A tar and sulfur shampoo will help, I've had better luck with that then the oatmeal shampoos.

 

[TurboK9]

Thanks for the suggestions.

No, there has been no change in the food. He has been on Purina Lamb and Rice for years to try and avoid food allergies.

Yes, I have a flea comb and ran it over a couple spots on him-base of tail, middle of back, behind ears-and got no dirt or bugs.

I didn't think about shedding or possible blooming being a problem. I'll do that and check for any new growth in the yard.

Thanks again!

Ohhhh nooooo!!!! Purina is very good at pullingthe wool over trusting eyes... Their Lamb and Rice is full of the common allergy culprits. Primarily Corn. Find yourself a food w/ no corn and no wheat products, and he may do better in the long term.

 

[jp2854]

one food i found that has worked for my dog is dick van pattens duck and sweet potaoto. it has no corn or wheat products in it and it has no fillers. It has the needed vitamins and minerals and it also has salmon oil in it.

I quit feeding my dog iams largebreed puppy food and ever since I changed her food she has not been itching the heck out of herself and we finally got rid of the hotspot she had and her hair is growing back nicely.

 

[DominiqueKHolt]

Shapley's original Mane-Tail-Groom works miracles. Used mainly for horses, but is safe for dogs too. Helps with dry skin, and everything under the sun. It'll also have fur growing back in 4 days.