Peanut is still SO itchy :(

[PeanutSutton]

I know this isn't an emergency but has got us not sure what's going on!

We went to the vet 2 weeks ago because Peanut was itching his bad/tail area so bad that he "barbered" his hair. It was still itchy, raw and red.

The vet said that it might have been a flea allergy. Meaning a flea bit him but didn't attach and caused the itching. We got some antibiotics and steroids to help him with it a little, but he was still itching!
We went back to the vet and mentioned that he was still itching and they mentioned maybe a food allergy.... I never thought of it, but going to try that. We got hypoallergenic food and treats.... and still itches lol NO fleas, no ticks.... What could it be!??? I'm thinking it's just seasonal allergies especially here in Texas it's flipping hot and humid!
The vet said that we won't know for like 4 months if it's a food allergy? That seemed a little long to us....
He is on the flea/tick prevention and takes his heartworm meds too.
We bathe Peanut once a week, and starting to think we wash him too much.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Other then that Peanut is doing good! He is 10 months and full of energy!

[Ellie May]

Yup, it takes about 12 weeks to decide if the hypoallergenic food is working in some cases.

Steroids can be a lot of help for allergies. The fact that they didn't help at all would make me think there is something else going on here. If the diet change doesn't work, you may want to consider allergy testing (for environmental). But really, if your pup needs relief now, the best place to go is a canine dermatologist.

Is it just the tail area?

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I have been having a similar problem with Rosie. She does have seasonal allergies. My vet has me give her children's Benadryl. As a last resort, he will do a shot. However, I don't do these unless I have to. I have only given her one shot.

[PeanutSutton]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Yup, it takes about 12 weeks to decide if the hypoallergenic food is working in some cases.

Steroids can be a lot of help for allergies. The fact that they didn't help at all would make me think there is something else going on here. If the diet change doesn't work, you may want to consider allergy testing (for environmental). But really, if your pup needs relief now, the best place to go is a canine dermatologist.

Is it just the tail area?

It was mainly in his tail area (where he barbered) now it's kind of all over. His skin does look dry and flaky. The shampoo we use has oatmeal extract in it. If i can remember correctly the steroids did work when we used it daily, it didn't stop the itching completely, but minimized it. And then from the directions we had to do every other day for 5 days towards the end and he became more itchy.
I asked for more steroids and then vet said "let's try the food first."
I wonder if the shots would work, but getting shots weekly is kind of a lot. Not that I won't do what I can to figure this out, but this is adding up quick! We do use children's benadryl at night too and might start doing it during the day.

Thanks for ur advice!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by PeanutSutton

It was mainly in his tail area (where he barbered) now it's kind of all over. His skin does look dry and flaky. The shampoo we use has oatmeal extract in it. If i can remember correctly the steroids did work when we used it daily, it didn't stop the itching completely, but minimized it. And then from the directions we had to do every other day for 5 days towards the end and he became more itchy.
I asked for more steroids and then vet said "let's try the food first."
I wonder if the shots would work, but getting shots weekly is kind of a lot. Not that I won't do what I can to figure this out, but this is adding up quick! We do use children's benadryl at night too and might start doing it during the day.

Thanks for ur advice!

My vet says that Benadryl just gives a short relief. It doesn't last very long. The shots last 30 days. It has been a while since she had one. But I can look on the bills and see if I can come up with a name.

[Sandysbabies]

All 4 of ours are itchy. You can not see a flea one but they all scratch. We have tried everything. Poor little Kayla gets on her tummy with her legs out behind her and scratches on the carpet. She has done this until she is red between her little legs. I have given Benedryl, put everything I know on them and still, scratch, scratch, scratch. I even made the lemon spray. Haven't used it on them yet because Kayla and Dudley both are red and I have been just using creams. I know what you mean. It drives you crazy. I hate giving the shot to them too. Looks like there is something that would work, but what?

[lillymae]

You can try a Chamomile tea rinse. I steep 4 or 5 tea bags & pour into a clean gallon milk jug & fill the rest of the way with warm water. Bath as usual & rinse well then pour the rinse over the dog from head to tail & Do Not rinse it off. You don't have to worry about getting into the eyes, ears or mouth as it's good for allergy eyes & they can drink it for a tummy ache. After the bath , just dry as usual either towel or blow dry.
Make sure the tea is Only Chamomile & nothing else mixed with it.

[ladyjane]

I had a problem with one of my pups recently. We were never certain, but felt that a flea must have bitten her. What stopped it was an injection of Dexamethasone. Oral meds had also done nothing for her.
It is just that once they begin scratching they keep it up. Just like when we get a mosquito bite...the more we scratch, the more it itches.
My vet also recommends a HiLyte shampoo as it is very soothing. It is for dry skin.
Good luck!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I had a problem with one of my pups recently. We were never certain, but felt that a flea must have bitten her. What stopped it was an injection of Dexamethasone. Oral meds had also done nothing for her.
It is just that once they begin scratching they keep it up. Just like when we get a mosquito bite...the more we scratch, the more it itches.
My vet also recommends a HiLyte shampoo as it is very soothing. It is for dry skin.
Good luck!

We do steroid injections here also when something like this comes up (usually Ellie has found a crumb on the floor from a forbidden food). Works very well for immediate relief.

[PeanutSutton]

Thank you guys for the advice/suggestions! We feel so bad and he is just scratching all the time.

My old dog who was a Pointer named Shiloh, would scratch there was no tomorrow. Poor guy had allergies bad all over in his ears and feet He was on the special food and had pills daily. We say Peanut is a reincarnated Shiloh, but a Yorkie and NOT as bad with the allergies but a scratchier.

We should try the shampoos and lotion. He def. has dry skin and maybe that will minimize the itching. If we need to, we will resort to the shot for some longer lasted relief.

Benadryl def. helps Peanut sleep at least for 6 hours so we can! haha

Thank you all again!

[PeanutSutton]

Appropriate picture? haha even has a Yorkie on it!

Perfect Coat Gentle Hypoallergenic Shampoo - Grooming - Dog - PetSmart

[afrillisdark]

bella-chewy has HORRIBLE allergies. whenever its spring/summertime she gets the worst hot spots, hair loss, and random red spots (that turn into scabs). i put a cone on her, and i give her people benadryl 1mg/lb 3x a day. i've bought some hot spot gel stuff (its blue) n i put it on her big bad nasty spots and then i mix some water with tea tree oil n shea butter n spray it everyday on the most itchy spots (kinda stinky for the dogs n maybe ppl too) they hate the smell n dont bite at it and its a super oil that helps fight any bad germs or fungus and helps ease the itchyness....

i dont even want to take her to the groomers because i dont want her to get more irritated..

one flea bite is HORRIBLE for little yorkies. and i have allergies as well and i know that when i'm having an allergic reaction to one thing it makes my immune system weaker and makes memore sensitive to other allergens, so i'm sure that goes the same with dogs. even if your dog usually does things EVERYDAY, if they are having an allergic reaction to a flea bite or something, keep them away from any other possible allergens because it will make things worse.

[fantasiamom]

My vet percribed a spray for Fantasia for her scratching, she scratched to all the hair was out and she was bleeding. the spray is glenhaven A1/C.