Itchy Eddie
 

It always bugs me when Eddie itches. He doesn't have any apparent skin problems, and his fur's in great shape, but he'll itch his neck especially. We don't have fleas here, so that's not the problem. I sometimes think he's itching the microchip in his neck, but I may be nuts.

We bathe him maybe once a month. Would more or less help? Are there any treatments for dry skin? We do have dry air, especially in the wintertime. We recently fired up the humidifiers in the house, so maybe that will help.

Here's a new bath picture just for laughs

All dogs scratch a bit. I wouldn't worry about it if the skin looks healthy and there are no fleas. My Edie scratches and when I say "stop scratching" she does! Hey, don't you like a good scratch now and then???? I do :)

on the other hand, it COULD be dry skin. Especially if it is worse in the winter. Edie takes VITACAPS from Drs. Smith and Foster. It is high in omega 3 fatty acids. It might be my imagination, but she scratches less since taking these. It takes a couple of months to notice significant results.

Regarding bathing, my vet suggested we bathe less frequently in the winter. But a monthly bath does not seem excessive to me. Edie gets a bath once a week in the summer, and every other week in the winter. She has always had healthy skin, and she is over 5 years old now.

If you had noticed that Eddie was licking his paws a lot, that could be an indication of an allergy. But simply scratching at the neck is not usually a big deal. :animal36

Cute picts. I would bathe him 2-3 times a month. Dirt and oil build up may be the cause of the itch. :confused:

Dublin has had itchy skin from the get-go, and I've tried different foods and it didn't seem to make much of a difference. Since I got him Memorial weekend, I knew it isn't the dry winter air causing it.

I have been following Tricia's posts (Lexi's Mommy) and I've tried products she's suggested with good results. Derma Care and Groomax Oatmeal Shampoo.

The first thing I tried was Derma Care food supplement. Instead of the capsules, I got the liquid supplement that you put directly on the food. For some reason, all the dogs want to eat out of that particular dish, so it must be tasty to them. (Just smells a little fishy to me!)

I only bathe him every 2-3 weeks since he doesn't get really dirty, but his last couple of baths have been with Groomax Oatmeal shampoo. In between I have been rubbbing him with Cowboy Magic Conditioning oil, which someone else suggested. His skin sucks it right up so he never seems oily but it definately keeps him from scratching. An added bonus is that it also seems to be working miracles for my nails! :p

Since Eddie wasn't always itchy, you might want to start with the Derma Care (I got mine at PetSmart) since the Omegas are good for them anyways...

Good luck! Can't stand the thought of little Eddie being uncomfortable! :p

OK, thanks you guys. I'm probably just being a paranoid yorkie owner. I was SURE it was a case of psoriasis or eczema or something that would cause him to lose all his hair and look like a giant rat.

Wow, Sherry Lynn, we were posting at the same time so I missed yours and had to edit. That sounds like great advice. At least it gives me some things to try if he gets any worse.

And if all else fails, check with Tricia, because she's worked with her vet and gone through everything trying to get Lexi's scratching under control.

I'm going to bet that the Omegas work for Eddie, though. That they are good on so many other levels is just an added bonus! Good luck!

The dry heat definately makes these little guys itchy in the winter. more so than usual. Yorkies tend to have itchy skin as well. I use the Tropiclean Oxymed Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioning treatment on Bouncer (petedge.com carries it) and it does WONDERS for him this time of year. I would suggest trying that once a week. You should see results even after the first bath. Hope I've helped some! Good luck!

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents as well! :D Does his food have any corn in it? Because I've heard this can make them itch. Also my vet sells a spray especially for dry skin. I forget the name, I will have to look later, if you want it. Anyways..it might help! Lucky was scratching alot, too, so we changed his food from Nutro(which has corn) to Wellness, and his scratching has subsided alot!

possibility is there
 

that it could be a rejection/sensitivity to the implanted micro chip! If his skin is fine..not dry, ect & allergies ruled out, and he is itching the same spot ( where the chip is implanted) consistently.........ask your vet, if this could be a possibility! :)

Thanks for all the good advice! Lucky's Mom, we feed him Nutro Rice and Lamb, so no corn. And Lynn, I will ask the vet about the microchip. I swear the itching starter AFTER he got it, but I may be wrong.

hmmm..it's so hard watching them scratch and scratch - I remember Chanel was VERY itchy one summer after she played in the hose everyday - I tried Veternarians Best Moisture Mist SKIN Conditioner - - I found it in Petsmart and it stopped her itching in less than 12 hours ...it was only 8 bucks at Petsmart...I juts sprayed it lightly on her hair and it worked great....it's for their skin... not the coat

Here is a link to a thread I just posted about itchy skin.http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25127

As for the micro chip I doubt that is what is making him itch. The micro chip is cased in hyper allergetic materials. MOST dogs don't get dry skin/coat til they are between 9 and 18 months. Reason being that is about the time they a most or all of their adult coat. That is also the time frame for allergies to develope. (not saying they can't get this before or after that time frame that is just the norm)

Thats what we had Lucky on. And we switched it and now he scratches alot less to hardly any at all. Good luck though! Maybe its just a nervous habit, like people biting their nails! Never know!! :p

Here's another two cents worth. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse!! When you think everythings rinsed out, rinse it again!! These guys skin is so sensitive that ANY soap left on will start to accumulate and make them itch. Then again, it also causes dandruff. :thumbs_do
Been there, done that. Not fun.

Maybe he's getting alerigic to the flash on the camera!! By the pic you posted on this thread, he looks none too happy about getting his pic taken right then! jk

Suz