Itchy...

[Erinmay]

So I woke up this morning to Maggie scratching and biting furiously. She's been scratching a lot lately and I assumed it was because she has some matting that I can't get out with the slicker brush. (she goes to the groomer on Friday)

When I look closely, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong (i.e. fleas, rash, etc.). Does anyone have any ideas? About 2 1/2 weeks ago her skin was dry and dandruff-y but it doesn't appear so anymore...

I just had to interupt this post to clean up her vomit - what the...? She hasn't eaten anything since her dinner last night at 5pm and I just saw the chicken and rice. Shouldn't that have been digested by now? She doesn't appear sick - she's running around and playing right now

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be allergies, maybe an allergy to something she ate?

[TeresaM]

I just hate it when something happens and I can't find a reason for it. Maybe a call to your vet's office and see if there is anything they can suggest. The not eating and vomit would concern me.

Good luck, please keep us informed.

[Wylie's Mom]

Could be allergies - check allergens in your area here: Pollen.

Also, could be food related - what are you feeding?

[Latte's Mom]

When Latte was younger she threw up a lot and the vet told me to get her on a better food. SHe's had allergies all along. I think they're pollen related. It's especially bad when the wind blows-like today. Last year she was scratching and biting a lot and it was driving us crazy, so I went to another vet. She also agreed it was allergies, so she gave her a shot of a cortisone and some pills to follow up with I had already used Prednisone and Atopica to no avail. She also told me to put her on a diet of fish and sweet potatoes. All of those things have really helped. If I deviate from that, like recently when she was boarded and we went out of town and I gave her bits of steak on her food to get her to eat, I've been sorry. She's really biting and licking her feet and scratching. I've given her a little more of her pills today. (I have her down to the tiniest bit-way less than the vet prescribed.) I have never paid to have the allergy testing and I've always heard they don't tell you much anyway. (I was tested for allergies myself and they said I wasn't allergic to anything-but I still have asthma and sinus headaches, so there you go.)

[Erinmay]

We just came back from the vet a little while ago. So as I mentioned earlier, Maggie vomited this morning but then not 15 minutes later, had her usual Wellness puppy food for breakfast and was okay. She wasn't lethargic and was playing crazy as usual so I wasn't overly concerned. However, when I came home from work, I noticed 2 small circles of vomit but she was excited and playful - about an hour later she vomited white foamy stuff 3 times.

I called the vet and took her in to be checked out. No temperature, otherwise healthy and energetic, so she gave her a shot of Pepcid AC and if she's sick again I'm to take her back in the morning.

I agree about the allergies - no matter how many times I clean, if the windows are open that layer of yellow pollen reappears in seconds!! The vet agreed with that too.

Sorry for the lengthy update When it comes to Maggie, I can never say enough!!

Also - if there is anyone in MA looking for a great vet, I have one! Dr. Rachel Illingworth at the Acorn Animal Hospital in Franklin, MA is WONDERFUL - so gentle with Maggie that she doesn't even so much as wince when given a shot. She's patient and doesn't rush me with all the questions I have (and I always have a ton).

I feed Maggie a combo of different things depending on the day:
Wellness puppy food (wet)
Solid Gold puppy food (dry)
Cesar puppy food - only if I have to mix medicine because I know she'll lick the bowl clean
Boiled chicken with white rice and carrots (i tried peas but she picks them out)
Vanilla low fat yogurt for upset tummy
Frozen pineapple chunks for a treat

[mel Vincente]

I have had lots of problems with my little girl.. Itchy, greasy and she scratches herself raw. We have seen the vet I'm now on my third one, after finding this web sight I feel like I'm not alone.. She is on science diet for allergies but I have researched and I found that fish and sweet potatoes could help my problem like the one someone posted, I believe it was wellness.. I'm going to try it. I have put her through the ringer not to mention lots of money.. We go back to the vet Thursday so I'll see what she says. Also for the greasy hair I'll try people shampoo. Wish us luck and thanks for all your posts. I found them very helpful.