Does anyone have a cure for excessive scratching? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Caesars Mom · 12-27-2007, 10:53 AM

Last June Caesar had a terrible reaction to Frontline Plus in the form of itching and a huge loss of hair. The vet gave him a shot of cortisone and suggested that we use a cortisone shampoo. The scratching and hair loss cleared up, but his hair has never been quite the same. He seems to get dirty very quickly and the hair appears to be greasy within a day or two of his bath. About a month ago he began to scratch a lot more than usual and so I began to use the cortisone shampoo again. It doesn't seem to make much difference. He isn't losing his hair as he did before, but he certainly doesn't seem to be completely normal. Does anyone have any ideas?

MyTrixie143 · 12-27-2007, 11:12 AM

You may want to try Missing Link or Salmon Oil. They really help the coat and skin. I have heard of wonderful results from the salmon oil. You just put a little on their food each day and it really improves the skin and coat.
If he is scratching due to dry flaky skin this will help him out a lot.

livingdustmops · 12-27-2007, 11:57 AM

What are you feeding your dog? Many Yorkies have a problem with corn in their food.

Caesars Mom · 12-27-2007, 12:31 PM

We feed California Natural Lamb and Rice Small Bites. We have used this product for many many years and there is no corn or soy in it. That is the first thing I thought of, but he has never had a problem with it before.

Stella's mom · 12-27-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

You may want to try Missing Link or Salmon Oil. They really help the coat and skin. I have heard of wonderful results from the salmon oil. You just put a little on their food each day and it really improves the skin and coat.
If he is scratching due to dry flaky skin this will help him out a lot.

Where do you get the Salmon Oil, I've tried the Missing Link and she won't touch it....

Ladymom · 12-27-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesars Mom

We feed California Natural Lamb and Rice Small Bites. We have used this product for many many years and there is no corn or soy in it. That is the first thing I thought of, but he has never had a problem with it before.

Actually, that's how dogs (and people, too) become allergic to foods, by constant exposure. That's why allergic dogs are usually switched to "unusual" protein and carb sources like duck and potato, fish and sweet potato, etc.

Caesar has probably built up antibodies against lamb and rice now. I'd try one of the foods I suggested and rotate them regularly to prevent the same thing from happening. I'd also add fish or salmon oil to help build up his immune system. That's what my vet had me do with Lady and it's helped a lot.

MyTrixie143 · 12-27-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella's mom

Where do you get the Salmon Oil, I've tried the Missing Link and she won't touch it....

You can get salmon oil at several places for different prices. Here are a few sites that sell it...
http://www.dog.com/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=221166%20116
http://www.k9power.com/wholistic_salmon_oil.php
http://www.jbpet.com/index.php?main_...oducts_id=1798

BamaFan121s · 12-28-2007, 04:28 AM

Sounds like allergies. I would try swapping up food even though he has been eating his current food for a while. Also, you could try supplementing--one of my personal preferences is Flax Oil (I order Barleans online). It is good for their skin, coats, eyes and recent studies indicate it is beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer.

Ladymom · 12-28-2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Sounds like allergies. I would try swapping up food even though he has been eating his current food for a while. Also, you could try supplementing--one of my personal preferences is Flax Oil (I order Barleans online). It is good for their skin, coats, eyes and recent studies indicate it is beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer.

Fish oil is better for dogs with allergies than flax seed oil. While flax seed oil will help with their coat and skin, it doesn't have the anti-inflammatory ability that fish oil has. For allergies, you want to use fish oil instead of flax seed oil.

http://chetday.com/omega3fattyacid.htm

http://happytales.home.att.net/omega.html

http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes.asp?C

http://www.pettogethers.com/PowerRep...attyAcids.aspx

BamaFan121s · 12-28-2007, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Fish oil is better for dogs with allergies than flax seed oil. While flax seed oil will help with their coat and skin, it doesn't have the anti-inflammatory ability that fish oil has. For allergies, you want to use fish oil instead of flax seed oil.

It is effective if the dog is itching from dry skin though, which can happen very easily w/ medicated shampoos and anti-inflamatory meds. (Dries eyes out too.)

I guess the first step would be to figure out what is actually causing the itching...

Caesars Mom · 12-29-2007, 09:37 AM

Thanks for all your input. The new allergy to his food sounds reasonable so we started them on Natural Balance Duck and Potatoe (small bites). They both gobbled it down. Caesar got a bath in the regular tearless shampoo and has had a couple of meals using the new food so we will wait and see. Again thanks to all of you for your interest and comments.

12-27-2007, 10:53 AM	#1
Caesars Mom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: California Posts: 24	Does anyone have a cure for excessive scratching? Last June Caesar had a terrible reaction to Frontline Plus in the form of itching and a huge loss of hair. The vet gave him a shot of cortisone and suggested that we use a cortisone shampoo. The scratching and hair loss cleared up, but his hair has never been quite the same. He seems to get dirty very quickly and the hair appears to be greasy within a day or two of his bath. About a month ago he began to scratch a lot more than usual and so I began to use the cortisone shampoo again. It doesn't seem to make much difference. He isn't losing his hair as he did before, but he certainly doesn't seem to be completely normal. Does anyone have any ideas?

12-27-2007, 11:12 AM	#2
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,127	You may want to try Missing Link or Salmon Oil. They really help the coat and skin. I have heard of wonderful results from the salmon oil. You just put a little on their food each day and it really improves the skin and coat. If he is scratching due to dry flaky skin this will help him out a lot. __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey & the gang Destiny Scampers Harmony Brownie Buster Trixie~Sugar~Peppi~Daisy

12-27-2007, 11:57 AM	#3
livingdustmops Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,801	What are you feeding your dog? Many Yorkies have a problem with corn in their food. __________________ Cindy & The Rescue Gang Why do you think they call them Yorkshire Terrors!

12-28-2007, 04:28 AM	#8
BamaFan121s YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,794	Sounds like allergies. I would try swapping up food even though he has been eating his current food for a while. Also, you could try supplementing--one of my personal preferences is Flax Oil (I order Barleans online). It is good for their skin, coats, eyes and recent studies indicate it is beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer. __________________ ...........Misty........... Trixie * Lexi * Chipsie

12-27-2007, 12:31 PM	#4
Caesars Mom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: California Posts: 24	We feed California Natural Lamb and Rice Small Bites. We have used this product for many many years and there is no corn or soy in it. That is the first thing I thought of, but he has never had a problem with it before.

12-29-2007, 09:37 AM	#11
Caesars Mom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: California Posts: 24	Thanks for all your input. The new allergy to his food sounds reasonable so we started them on Natural Balance Duck and Potatoe (small bites). They both gobbled it down. Caesar got a bath in the regular tearless shampoo and has had a couple of meals using the new food so we will wait and see. Again thanks to all of you for your interest and comments.