My poor Yorkie won't stop itching and scratching - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lucky Tish · 07-30-2010, 06:11 AM

Hello All,

It seems like every Summer, my little Ginger has a bad outbreak of allergies. I have taken her to the Vet and the prescibed some
antihistamines and even steroids (which I try not to give her). The anti's don't seem to help her much. I've been using a special shampoo and she also takes her daily vitamin powder laced in her food. I feel so bad for her, I really don't know what else to do. Some good advice would be appreciated.

Rachael x · 07-30-2010, 06:33 AM

It could be some sort of mites in the grass which come out in summer.
Does she have a rash and if so what does it look like?

LunasMomma · 07-30-2010, 06:34 AM

Poor baby

! What is she allergic to, specifically? If it's outdoor stuff, make sure that before she comes back into the house after being out, that you take a damp cloth and wipe her paws and belly down, really her whole body. That may help to get rid of some of the allergens. Other than that, I have no clue what could be done

I hope you and she find some relief! Hugs

Lucky Tish · 07-30-2010, 07:09 AM

I'm not sure what she is allergic to and the Vet couldn't identify her allergies either. All that I can see are little bumps here and there but nothing significant.

Thank you for your advice on the on the wipe-down, I will definitely do that.

Meggie · 07-30-2010, 07:51 AM

Have you tried changing her food?

One of mine is allergic to several things & has to take antihistamines on & off, plus another drug, but I found changing the food he was on helped a lot.

baby yorkie · 07-30-2010, 07:55 AM

I have a 12.5 year old pek who has had allergies all her life. The vet has given me everything nameable in regards to meds, shampoo, and food. We have tried everything and nothing has really worked. The vet gave me something (forgot the name), but that practically put her in a coma so we stopped it immediately. She has to take a steroid pill every day and I bath her in cheap Suave shampoo. These are the only things that work for her. The steroids are horrible for her, but she would be miserable without it. My baby has been hairless with sores all over her body! So sad. I do supplement with Benadryl, but she lives on the steroids. Now that she has heart problems we can't give her heart medicine because we would need to take her off the steroids. She wouldn't be able to live without them! Right now we are just making her as comfortable as possible. I keep my yorkie babies away from her because they are so hyper. Finding the right mix is not easy. I hope you find the answer and don't end up like my oldest non-yorkie baby.

baby yorkie · 07-30-2010, 08:08 AM

I forgot to tell you to make sure your babies nails are trimmed constantly. My baby lost a toe because she damaged it when she got hung up scratching while we were away from the house. It must have been for an hour or so. I keep hers trimmed but somehow she just got caught in a tangle. I even put socks on her at one time.

Lucky Tish · 07-30-2010, 09:34 AM

Thank you all for the advice. I have changed her food, but that hasn't helped. Perhaps I need to try a simplier shampoo.

gizmostowers · 07-30-2010, 09:46 AM

My vet had me use benadryl.

Rachael x · 07-30-2010, 09:49 AM

^^ I agree I use Benadryl on my older dog who gets a lot of skin allergies and it works well.

mercyme · 07-30-2010, 10:05 AM

Our vet prescribed Chlorpheniramine Maleate (4 mg. tablets). Give 1/2 tablet every 8 hours (making it 2 mg.). It's an antihistimine, available @ CVS....not sure how it compares to Benadryl.

I put the half tablet in a soft treat & she eats it no problem. It has seemed to help.

You also might try putting a little olive oil on her food. I had another dog (not a Yorkie), and this seemed to help with her skin and coat.

Good luck, I feel for you...the suggestion to make sure her nails are trimmed and filed is an excellent one in my opinion.

P.S. Have you tried the "hot spot" topical medicine ? Just a thought.

Mitzis Mom · 07-30-2010, 10:08 AM

We have the same problem with Maggie and we actually had an allergy test done. She is allergic to 23 environmental and 5 food components. So there is not a lot we can do to keep the allergens away. We feed Orijen Adult Dog Food b/c it doesn't contain any grain, rice or wheat. To lessen her symptoms we put a cotton t-shirt or even PJs on her, change it daily, wipe her down with a damp cloth and minimize her stays outside. As a shampoo we use Aveeno oatmeal body wash and we use the same to wash her clothes.
Maggie gets a daily pill too but it's Atopica, an immune system depressor. I know it is not the ideal solution b/c it can shorten her life but we decided to give her the pill b/c it gives her peace and a higher quality of life.
Oh... did you check for fleas? They are very nasty this year.

peachesmom1sc · 07-30-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baby yorkie

I have a 12.5 year old pek who has had allergies all her life. The vet has given me everything nameable in regards to meds, shampoo, and food. We have tried everything and nothing has really worked. The vet gave me something (forgot the name), but that practically put her in a coma so we stopped it immediately. She has to take a steroid pill every day and I bath her in cheap Suave shampoo. These are the only things that work for her. The steroids are horrible for her, but she would be miserable without it. My baby has been hairless with sores all over her body! So sad. I do supplement with Benadryl, but she lives on the steroids. Now that she has heart problems we can't give her heart medicine because we would need to take her off the steroids. She wouldn't be able to live without them! Right now we are just making her as comfortable as possible. I keep my yorkie babies away from her because they are so hyper. Finding the right mix is not easy. I hope you find the answer and don't end up like my oldest non-yorkie baby.

She is soooo cute Peks were my first love i used to have 20 about 40 years ago then went to Yorkies

Princes mom · 07-30-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

We have the same problem with Maggie and we actually had an allergy test done. She is allergic to 23 environmental and 5 food components. So there is not a lot we can do to keep the allergens away. We feed Orijen Adult Dog Food b/c it doesn't contain any grain, rice or wheat. To lessen her symptoms we put a cotton t-shirt or even PJs on her, change it daily, wipe her down with a damp cloth and minimize her stays outside. As a shampoo we use Aveeno oatmeal body wash and we use the same to wash her clothes.
Maggie gets a daily pill too but it's Atopica, an immune system depressor. I know it is not the ideal solution b/c it can shorten her life but we decided to give her the pill b/c it gives her peace and a higher quality of life.
Oh... did you check for fleas? They are very nasty this year.

I am so sorry Mitzi has to endure all this.

It seems that it is always something, sometimes. The picture of Mitzi, is that her reaction to her allergies? The reason I'm asking is because it looks as though it's a pattern. Poor baby. She is still beautiful.

chestermama · 07-30-2010, 05:33 PM

chester has allergies to the enviroment and I will just rinse him off in the tub and I give him salmon oil and that has helped on his wet food and I give him his temaril p when he is just miserable it has antihistamine and prednisone in it and that will make them urinate more the steroid in it

07-30-2010, 06:11 AM	#1
Lucky Tish YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3	My poor Yorkie won't stop itching and scratching Hello All, It seems like every Summer, my little Ginger has a bad outbreak of allergies. I have taken her to the Vet and the prescibed some antihistamines and even steroids (which I try not to give her). The anti's don't seem to help her much. I've been using a special shampoo and she also takes her daily vitamin powder laced in her food. I feel so bad for her, I really don't know what else to do. Some good advice would be appreciated.

07-30-2010, 06:33 AM	#2
Rachael x Poppy's Mamma ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 3,751 Blog Entries: 3	It could be some sort of mites in the grass which come out in summer. Does she have a rash and if so what does it look like? __________________ Rachael & Poppy

07-30-2010, 06:34 AM	#3
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	Poor baby! What is she allergic to, specifically? If it's outdoor stuff, make sure that before she comes back into the house after being out, that you take a damp cloth and wipe her paws and belly down, really her whole body. That may help to get rid of some of the allergens. Other than that, I have no clue what could be done I hope you and she find some relief! Hugs __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna

07-30-2010, 09:46 AM	#9
gizmostowers Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: GA Posts: 112	My vet had me use benadryl. __________________ www.krystalstowers.origamiowl.com https://www.mythirtyone.com/434179/ Gizmo * Peaches * Poncho

07-30-2010, 09:49 AM	#10
Rachael x Poppy's Mamma ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 3,751 Blog Entries: 3	^^ I agree I use Benadryl on my older dog who gets a lot of skin allergies and it works well. __________________ Rachael & Poppy

07-30-2010, 07:09 AM	#4
Lucky Tish YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3	I'm not sure what she is allergic to and the Vet couldn't identify her allergies either. All that I can see are little bumps here and there but nothing significant. Thank you for your advice on the on the wipe-down, I will definitely do that.

07-30-2010, 07:51 AM	#5
Meggie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yorkshire, England Posts: 783	Have you tried changing her food? One of mine is allergic to several things & has to take antihistamines on & off, plus another drug, but I found changing the food he was on helped a lot.

07-30-2010, 08:08 AM	#7
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	I forgot to tell you to make sure your babies nails are trimmed constantly. My baby lost a toe because she damaged it when she got hung up scratching while we were away from the house. It must have been for an hour or so. I keep hers trimmed but somehow she just got caught in a tangle. I even put socks on her at one time.

07-30-2010, 09:34 AM	#8
Lucky Tish YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3	Thank you all for the advice. I have changed her food, but that hasn't helped. Perhaps I need to try a simplier shampoo.

07-30-2010, 10:05 AM	#11
mercyme Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 82	Scratching Our vet prescribed Chlorpheniramine Maleate (4 mg. tablets). Give 1/2 tablet every 8 hours (making it 2 mg.). It's an antihistimine, available @ CVS....not sure how it compares to Benadryl. I put the half tablet in a soft treat & she eats it no problem. It has seemed to help. You also might try putting a little olive oil on her food. I had another dog (not a Yorkie), and this seemed to help with her skin and coat. Good luck, I feel for you...the suggestion to make sure her nails are trimmed and filed is an excellent one in my opinion. P.S. Have you tried the "hot spot" topical medicine ? Just a thought.

07-30-2010, 05:33 PM	#15
chestermama YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: washington Posts: 3,383 Blog Entries: 1	chester has allergies to the enviroment and I will just rinse him off in the tub and I give him salmon oil and that has helped on his wet food and I give him his temaril p when he is just miserable it has antihistamine and prednisone in it and that will make them urinate more the steroid in it