Itchy Dog for 6 Months - All tests NEGATIVE - HELP!

[Rocky-Baby]

k so I've been not posting this because I know once I type this that it's real... and I can't have my baby be sick because with me having the brain tumor AND neural Behcet's Disease AND endometriosis my husband and I have enough scary days...plus my luck is awful...and we had a cat once that, after having him a year, he developed an allergy or an illness that caused him to be so itchy he would EAT HIS OWN FLESH - I'm talking TO-THE-BONE (no - I'm not exaggerating - the vet had us put him down pleading we be 'humane'...)...

...anyway - so Rock Star has been itching his EVERYTHING since the day we got him. Sometimes he scratches his ears (does the hine-leg thumper move?) and CRIES - so I assumed fleas but found none after numerous baths. So we began weekly vet visits where they checked for fleas - found none every time - and had us do weekly baths with this vet shampoo for itchy skin (for canines) - but no luck. So next he did a skin scrape in FIVE different spots and found nothing under the scope... so they gave us REVOLUTION in case it was mange and we waited on the culture. Still, he spends 50% of his day itching and crying!! We finished the revolution (which is for fleas, ticks, and heartworm) and they had us give him these tablets for 2 months - 2 a day for 1 month and then 1 every other day - he took them like a champ but STILL - no change! We thought it was our house or something in it and luckily we were moving the month after we got him to upstate NY. Now we're in a brand new apartment and a culture came up positive for YEAST so now we wipe him down with these yeast wipes daily - but STILL he is itching. I have no idea what this is and what to do. He was 'the itchy one' at the breeder too but I just assumed he had fleas (we've done lots of rescue work so we're used to this and I'm the kind of reject who adopts the 3 legged puppy if you know what I mean so his itchiness just made us want him more) but no dice. I've tried tea-tree oil spray for itchy skin - no luck. And the vet insists he's fine but his life is spent 50% of the time itching and whimpering while he itches!!! Please help!!

[Ellie May]

It sounds like his quality of life isn't very good right now. It sounds like the vet has been trying to do the right things, but I think they are declaring him okay way too early. So I'd get a second opinion. Actually, probably best to just go straight to a dermatologist since it's so bad.

What was done to rule out allergies and systemic yeast issues?
Did the vet offer to go ahead and give steroids to try and stop the itch cycle for a bit?

[yorkie mad]

have you checked what washing powder and conditioner you use on his bedding? sounds dumb , but it could be as simple as that (I hope) xx

[kjc]

Have you tried a chicken and rice diet (homecooked) for a few days?

Chicken (in dog food) is at the top of the list of allergens in Yorkies.

When you used the Revolution, did you repeat the dose in 2-3 weeks? Did you see any improvement at all for a few days?

Do you use any plug in air freshners? Have new carpeting?

Does he itch in all parts of the house and outside... or is it worse in a particular room or outside?

Are you feeding him out of plastic food and water dishes?

Are you using oatmeal based shampoo on him? Do you use a conditioner?

[smepperson]

Originally Posted by kjc

Have you tried a chicken and rice diet (homecooked) for a few days?

Chicken (in dog food) is at the top of the list of allergens in Yorkies.

When you used the Revolution, did you repeat the dose in 2-3 weeks? Did you see any improvement at all for a few days?

Do you use any plug in air freshners? Have new carpeting?

Does he itch in all parts of the house and outside... or is it worse in a particular room or outside?

Are you feeding him out of plastic food and water dishes?

Are you using oatmeal based shampoo on him? Do you use a conditioner?

These are all awesome questions! My little Gizzy used to itch and itch too as does our new puppy Teddi. The pollen count in FL is horrible! We use Duoxo shampoos from the veterinarian. With Giz we used the seborrhea one and with Teddi it is the Calming one. Both of these are great but they still itch from being outside. *sigh*

[kjc]

Has he taken any oral meds for his yeast infection? (I'm assuming it's prednisone he had taken before)

Does he feel oily or gooey to touch and smell weird?

Yeast (Malassezia) Infections in Dogs

[kjc]

Originally Posted by yorkie mad

have you checked what washing powder and conditioner you use on his bedding? sounds dumb , but it could be as simple as that (I hope) xx

Not dumb... excellent question.


Tea tree oil can be toxic to dogs... it has to be less than 5% in solution and not applied too frequently.

Revolution also kills Sarcoptic mites...

[107barney]

The dog needs to see a board certified veterinary dermatologist as soon as possible for an opinion. My dog was eating herself raw and the dermatologist got right to the issues since that is their specialty. Good luck.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by 107barney

The dog needs to see a board certified veterinary dermatologist as soon as possible for an opinion. My dog was eating herself raw and the dermatologist got right to the issues since that is their specialty. Good luck.

Great idea!

[107barney]

Also if the dog has yeast, you can try Maleseb shampoo or even a 50% white vinegar to 50% water solution which I have been told works well (ask LadyJane about this). If those fail, the dog will likely need oral medicine (i.e. ketoconazole) for the yeast.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by kjc

Great idea!

Thanks! PS love the new avatar!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Thanks! PS love the new avatar!

Oh thanks... I was going to PM you about yours the other day... nice!

What made your pup itch so badly?

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It sounds like his quality of life isn't very good right now. It sounds like the vet has been trying to do the right things, but I think they are declaring him okay way too early. So I'd get a second opinion. Actually, probably best to just go straight to a dermatologist since it's so bad.

What was done to rule out allergies and systemic yeast issues?
Did the vet offer to go ahead and give steroids to try and stop the itch cycle for a bit?

Ya I agree you should get a second opinion, sounds like allergies and prednisone or something should help to stop it at least temporarily. I wouldn't settle for being told he's fine.

[Ladymom]

I agree with everyone else. It's time to ask for a referral to a board certified dermatologist.

[Rocky-Baby]

Originally Posted by yorkie mad

have you checked what washing powder and conditioner you use on his bedding? sounds dumb , but it could be as simple as that (I hope) xx

We've bought done everything from trashing his bedding, toys, and clothes and re-buying it ALL to washing his things in boiling water and using just his dog shampoo for sensitive skin to clean his clothes