Why is my Yorkie scratching all the time - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 09:08 AM

Hi everyone! I'm a new Yorkie owner! His name is London and he is almost 7 months! I just got him last week! I was giving him his food from the breeder: Fromm but he was not eating it, a friend of mine recommended me Royal Canin and he eats a little bit but I'm not sure he likes it that much.... Also, he is scratching a lot and I'm not sure if it's because of the food? I don't know what to give him so that he eats his food and stops scratching. Help?? Also, he tends to shake a lot, is it normal? We dont have children or other dogs, our place is very quiet, he used to live with 8 other dogs...maybe he just needs more time to adjust? We took him to the vet and told him about him scratching and he said "oh maybe just allergies" but did not say anything else he did not seem to care....

BlueBelle · 08-02-2013, 09:32 AM

This may not be the problem but I have recently discovered a few of our Yorkies are allergic to potatoes including sweet potatoes. When we eliminated them from their diet the scratching & toe licking stopped. I would never have guessed that was the case except that in talking to a person who worked in a pet food store and he mentioned that among other things his dog was allergic to potatoes.

Faboosh · 08-02-2013, 09:55 AM

I've heard good things about Fromm, so I don't see a reason to switch his food just yet. Do you have any Nutrical available to keep his blood sugar up? I think the stress of moving could be bugging him.

Definitely get his itching checked out by another vet. If your vet won't take the time to go over causes/explainations, then IMO, that's cause to find a new one. Not sure where you got your lil guy from, but it could be anything from mites, skin allergies, stress, diet... Hard to tell unless your vet checks him out.

Good luck and welcome to TY!

Lovetodream88 · 08-02-2013, 10:51 AM

I really think that sense your vet showed no care I would switch vets. I am sure that the change is really hard on him. Have you tried soaking the fromm in hot water letting it sit for a few minutes then draining it and giving it to him? Could he have fleas? Food allergies are much rarer then environmental allergies so it could be that. Maybe until you can figure out whats wrong wipe his paws every time he comes in from outside.

Magnus · 08-02-2013, 10:58 AM

Is London shaking randomly or at certain times? How long does it last? Also, have you check the posts on food? If not, I'd strongly recommend you do. I don't think RC has the best rating...

If it is allergies, maybe you could ask your vet for some benadryl? It could be a seasonal thing... I agree with Faboosh. Find a new vet to get him checked out and ask all questions you can think of.

Nancy1999 · 08-02-2013, 11:12 AM

Generally, dogs don't develop food allergies before the age of one year. I would look at other things first, but was he also itching on Fromm? What type of shampoo do you use? Joey's breeder said that the mistake most owners make is not rinsing enough, and she said that you should always use a conditioner, because it conditions the skin as well as the hair. Sometimes they shake because they are nervous, and sometimes it's because they are cold, but it could also be a sign of something more serious. Where is he scratching, all over or mainly his feet? Is he scratching his ears? I personally like to find a vet who will take the time and explain all my concerns to me. Itching one or twice a day for a moment, is normal, but if he's itching more than that you need to find a vet that will give you some answers. Is it possible he has fleas? Here are some things that can cause itching. http://www.cesarsway.com/skincareawa...rgic-Reactions

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueBelle

This may not be the problem but I have recently discovered a few of our Yorkies are allergic to potatoes including sweet potatoes. When we eliminated them from their diet the scratching & toe licking stopped. I would never have guessed that was the case except that in talking to a person who worked in a pet food store and he mentioned that among other things his dog was allergic to potatoes.

BlueBelle, what kind of food do you feed your Yorkies?

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faboosh

I've heard good things about Fromm, so I don't see a reason to switch his food just yet. Do you have any Nutrical available to keep his blood sugar up? I think the stress of moving could be bugging him.

Definitely get his itching checked out by another vet. If your vet won't take the time to go over causes/explainations, then IMO, that's cause to find a new one. Not sure where you got your lil guy from, but it could be anything from mites, skin allergies, stress, diet... Hard to tell unless your vet checks him out.

Good luck and welcome to TY!

Thank you Faboosh!

I bought the Nutri Cal but he doesn't really like it! I will definitely take him to another vet and hopefully this one is better... I got him from a breeder, he is healthy and got all his vaccines.. I'm starting to think it's because we switched his food... he was not scratching before we switched it, I'm going to get him back to Fromm and see how it goes. I have never had any pets before, he is my first one so I'm new to all this! I just want to take really good care of him. Thanks again for your help!

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I really think that sense your vet showed no care I would switch vets. I am sure that the change is really hard on him. Have you tried soaking the fromm in hot water letting it sit for a few minutes then draining it and giving it to him? Could he have fleas? Food allergies are much rarer then environmental allergies so it could be that. Maybe until you can figure out whats wrong wipe his paws every time he comes in from outside.

Thank you Lovetodream88!!!!!! You just made my day! I actually did what you just said and he ate the whole thing! I'm so happy! I had to drag him to his bowl at first but he seemed to like it! Hopefully is not a just one time thing... I will do it again tomorrow morning and see if it works again!
I also took him to the groomer and he is fleas free! yayyy! I also wipe his feet every time I take him out, I try to keep him clean all the time! Thank you so much for such a great tip about the food!

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 03:06 PM

Magnus, he shakes randomly!....Sometimes he is just sitting doing nothing and then all of a sudden starts to shake, and there is no reason for him to be scared, no noises no nothing,,, I don't know why he does it... I will take him to a different vet...

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 03:11 PM

Nancy1999...I don't think he was itching when he was on Fromm... I am going to switch him back to Fromm again. I have not bathe him yet I have to buy a shampoo, I took him to the groomer and they bathe him in there... which one do you recommend? He is scratching by his neck and sometimes his face and I have checked for everything but he doesn't have any fleas, the vet and groomer checked him as well and he has nothing.. Thank you for your post and link!

yorkietalkjilly · 08-02-2013, 03:21 PM

My Tibbe didn't like Royal Canin GI much and had to be encouraged to eat it, and within less than 15 minutes, he was scratching like crazy. For hours - couldn't stop. I've tried him on it two different times months apart with the exact same results each time. I know that it is apparently a really good dog food company and product lines but my dog is just apparently allergic to the GI formula. As soon as I switch back to his normal food, he eats readily with no scratching. Sigh. Stuck with a big bag of it and just had to give it away to a friend whose GSD eats anything without any allergies. Many on YT really love RC but like probably any food, some dogs can be allergic to the kind of RC you are feeding them. Tibbe might be able to eat a different type of RC but as I know the Hill's I/D GI and I/D Hepatic do work and he doesn't itch on them, I'm keeping him on that for a while yet.

capt_noonie · 08-02-2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faboosh

I've heard good things about Fromm, so I don't see a reason to switch his food just yet. Do you have any Nutrical available to keep his blood sugar up? I think the stress of moving could be bugging him.

Definitely get his itching checked out by another vet. If your vet won't take the time to go over causes/explainations, then IMO, that's cause to find a new one. Not sure where you got your lil guy from, but it could be anything from mites, skin allergies, stress, diet... Hard to tell unless your vet checks him out.

Good luck and welcome to TY!

She has not said any signs of him showing hypoglycemia. Nutrical is pure sugar and shouldn't be given for every little reason. Out of all my fosters I have rarely ever had to give it.

But I do agree, sounds like time for a new vet! Is your puppy breaking skin? Breaking off hair? Did you check carefully for fleas? My Uni gets a bad reaction to fleas. Even if she has one bite, she will scratch so bad her she will break skin and bleed. So I have to make sure she gets her flea meds on time every month.

nanahas3 · 08-02-2013, 03:34 PM

Has he been checked for earmites?

Vanessita · 08-02-2013, 04:46 PM

nanahas3, no I did not ask to check for earmites.. I will ask the vet the next visit.

08-02-2013, 09:08 AM	#1
Vanessita YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES Posts: 8	Why is my Yorkie scratching all the time Hi everyone! I'm a new Yorkie owner! His name is London and he is almost 7 months! I just got him last week! I was giving him his food from the breeder: Fromm but he was not eating it, a friend of mine recommended me Royal Canin and he eats a little bit but I'm not sure he likes it that much.... Also, he is scratching a lot and I'm not sure if it's because of the food? I don't know what to give him so that he eats his food and stops scratching. Help?? Also, he tends to shake a lot, is it normal? We dont have children or other dogs, our place is very quiet, he used to live with 8 other dogs...maybe he just needs more time to adjust? We took him to the vet and told him about him scratching and he said "oh maybe just allergies" but did not say anything else he did not seem to care....

08-02-2013, 09:32 AM	#2
BlueBelle Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA Posts: 1,190	This may not be the problem but I have recently discovered a few of our Yorkies are allergic to potatoes including sweet potatoes. When we eliminated them from their diet the scratching & toe licking stopped. I would never have guessed that was the case except that in talking to a person who worked in a pet food store and he mentioned that among other things his dog was allergic to potatoes. __________________ "I do not at all understand the mystery of grace-only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us"-Anne Lamott

08-02-2013, 09:55 AM	#3
Faboosh YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 539	I've heard good things about Fromm, so I don't see a reason to switch his food just yet. Do you have any Nutrical available to keep his blood sugar up? I think the stress of moving could be bugging him. Definitely get his itching checked out by another vet. If your vet won't take the time to go over causes/explainations, then IMO, that's cause to find a new one. Not sure where you got your lil guy from, but it could be anything from mites, skin allergies, stress, diet... Hard to tell unless your vet checks him out. Good luck and welcome to TY! __________________ [I]Dani: Happily owned by Billi-Jane & Witten facebook/instagram/twitter @danifabulous \| dogster @ dogs/1308401

08-02-2013, 10:51 AM	#4
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	I really think that sense your vet showed no care I would switch vets. I am sure that the change is really hard on him. Have you tried soaking the fromm in hot water letting it sit for a few minutes then draining it and giving it to him? Could he have fleas? Food allergies are much rarer then environmental allergies so it could be that. Maybe until you can figure out whats wrong wipe his paws every time he comes in from outside. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

08-02-2013, 11:12 AM	#6
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Generally, dogs don't develop food allergies before the age of one year. I would look at other things first, but was he also itching on Fromm? What type of shampoo do you use? Joey's breeder said that the mistake most owners make is not rinsing enough, and she said that you should always use a conditioner, because it conditions the skin as well as the hair. Sometimes they shake because they are nervous, and sometimes it's because they are cold, but it could also be a sign of something more serious. Where is he scratching, all over or mainly his feet? Is he scratching his ears? I personally like to find a vet who will take the time and explain all my concerns to me. Itching one or twice a day for a moment, is normal, but if he's itching more than that you need to find a vet that will give you some answers. Is it possible he has fleas? Here are some things that can cause itching. http://www.cesarsway.com/skincareawa...rgic-Reactions __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

08-02-2013, 10:58 AM	#5
Magnus Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,192	Is London shaking randomly or at certain times? How long does it last? Also, have you check the posts on food? If not, I'd strongly recommend you do. I don't think RC has the best rating... If it is allergies, maybe you could ask your vet for some benadryl? It could be a seasonal thing... I agree with Faboosh. Find a new vet to get him checked out and ask all questions you can think of.

08-02-2013, 03:06 PM	#10
Vanessita YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES Posts: 8	Magnus, he shakes randomly!....Sometimes he is just sitting doing nothing and then all of a sudden starts to shake, and there is no reason for him to be scared, no noises no nothing,,, I don't know why he does it... I will take him to a different vet...

08-02-2013, 03:11 PM	#11
Vanessita YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES Posts: 8	Nancy1999...I don't think he was itching when he was on Fromm... I am going to switch him back to Fromm again. I have not bathe him yet I have to buy a shampoo, I took him to the groomer and they bathe him in there... which one do you recommend? He is scratching by his neck and sometimes his face and I have checked for everything but he doesn't have any fleas, the vet and groomer checked him as well and he has nothing.. Thank you for your post and link!

08-02-2013, 03:21 PM	#12
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	My Tibbe didn't like Royal Canin GI much and had to be encouraged to eat it, and within less than 15 minutes, he was scratching like crazy. For hours - couldn't stop. I've tried him on it two different times months apart with the exact same results each time. I know that it is apparently a really good dog food company and product lines but my dog is just apparently allergic to the GI formula. As soon as I switch back to his normal food, he eats readily with no scratching. Sigh. Stuck with a big bag of it and just had to give it away to a friend whose GSD eats anything without any allergies. Many on YT really love RC but like probably any food, some dogs can be allergic to the kind of RC you are feeding them. Tibbe might be able to eat a different type of RC but as I know the Hill's I/D GI and I/D Hepatic do work and he doesn't itch on them, I'm keeping him on that for a while yet. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

08-02-2013, 03:34 PM	#14
nanahas3 ♥Love My Snuggle Bugs♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,290	Has he been checked for earmites? __________________ *CharleneMama to Laddy and Kyra and Always in our hearts Lolita*

08-02-2013, 04:46 PM	#15
Vanessita YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES Posts: 8	nanahas3, no I did not ask to check for earmites.. I will ask the vet the next visit.