Scratching/Itching until bleeding

[2ducks]

No skin related problems since we've had our little girl (5 years on Monday). But lately, she is has been scratching and itching almost every few minutes. Too the point it bleeds. This morning, I found lots of little round cuts (all bloody). We know she doesn't have a food allergy to her food (Solid Gold), since she's been on the same food since a baby.

I put some cortisone cream to alleviate the itchiness and a shirt to avoid the scratching. But I am not sure what else to do.

We did a blood test and urine test a few weeks ago (due to a urinary track infection), but is healed otherwise. Thanks!!

[2ducks]

ps. Sorry, I won't post any more non-emergency related posts in this forum. Please excuse me.

[Ellie May]

This section is for emergencies or currently sick Yorkies.
She is currently sick, so I say go for it.

Where is she scratching?
Her stomach? Sides? Ears?

Typically food allergies cause itchy ears, chin and paws but it could still be that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a food allergy because she has been fed one food for so long and maybe her body is now trying to say that it has had enough of it. If it isn't her ears though, I would look at other causes too.

[mizzwanned]

Teddy has been doing the same thing the past day or so. He was fine until i put a sweater on him and ever since i took it off e's been scratching like mad and making himself bleed. Idk what it could be? He never had a reaction to it before, or to his food or the shampoo i use

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by mizzwanned

Teddy has been doing the same thing the past day or so. He was fine until i put a sweater on him and ever since i took it off e's been scratching like mad and making himself bleed. Idk what it could be? He never had a reaction to it before, or to his food or the shampoo i use

Did you switch detergent or fabric softener or was the sweater brand new?

[2ducks]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

This section is for emergencies or currently sick Yorkies.
She is currently sick, so I say go for it.

Where is she scratching?
Her stomach? Sides? Ears?

Typically food allergies cause itchy ears, chin and paws but it could still be that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a food allergy because she has been fed one food for so long and maybe her body is now trying to say that it has had enough of it. If it isn't her ears though, I would look at other causes too.

Thanks!

She is scratching her lower back (just above her tail) and under her front legs (using her hind leg). Thanks for the tip, we have some Natural balance that I slowly mix in. Any more suggestions/tips are greatly appreciated.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by 2ducks

Thanks!

She is scratching her lower back (just above her tail) and under her front legs (using her hind leg). Thanks for the tip, we have some Natural balance that I slowly mix in. Any more suggestions/tips are greatly appreciated.

Have you checked for fleas?
Above the tail is a common place for them.
Under the arms could indicate a yeast issue but that won't be diagnosed too easily. Of course there is no way to say for sure, but the places she is scratching just don't say food allergy so much.

[2ducks]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Have you checked for fleas?
Above the tail is a common place for them.
Under the arms could indicate a yeast issue but that won't be diagnosed too easily. Of course there is no way to say for sure, but the places she is scratching just don't say food allergy so much.

I have not seen any black specks or bugs on her (or anywhere in the house). Could it be another parasite?

[TLC]

It could be the food, or it's environmental issues. Roxy has it too. Mostly her front 'arm pits' but she will also do her ears, chin and face.

I home cook for her and have really avoided things that could be food related. Last year was very, very bad. She had skin infections and yeast infections and b/c she has liver issues, we could only treat with a microbacterial shampoo. I researched Aloe Vera Gel (orally) and I have been giving her 1/4 teaspoon daily, this hasn't cured her, but it has helped tremendously

I also suggest vacuuming weekly, changing detergents to the free of fragrance and dye, no fabric softener or sheets, etc...Try to eliminate and clean what 'could' be environmental factors as well as maybe trying the Natural Balance food for allergies

[Yorkiedaze]

I would go completely and totally back to basics. Real food, use a very mild doggie soap or doggie shampoo and rinse and rinse and rinse, use a really good conditioner (not the leave in type). I think the biggest benifit to take care of dry skin comes from the inside out. They do need Omega 3 fatty acids, and are naturally found in fish, wheat germ oil, and cod liver oil.
Always wash all new clothes, blankets and the like "before" they wear or sleep on them. Use a very mild (and just a tiny bit) unscented soap and rinse twice.
No bully sticks (which are loaded in chemicles) and no store bought treats. Make them yourself and buy beef femur or knuckle bones for chewing.

[Wylie's Mom]

I would ask your vet to do a skin scraping immediately - check for yeast right off the bat. Has she recently been in contact w/ any puppies? If yes, you need to consider mange also. Mites often go undiagnosed, but I'm not sure it sounds like this - but a vet could also help rule that out. Lastly, go the very bottom of this page until you see the Google search bar - search for Pyoderma on THIS SITE only - and read about it, see if it sounds like that at all.

Like others have said, I'd switch foods asap as acquired allergies are not uncommon - esp. when a dog has been fed the same thing for an extended period. This terrible allergy season may have been the trigger that unleashed reactions to both food and environment - but who knows at this point?

I'd just take action asap as allergies compound. Hope she finds relief soon.

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Did you switch detergent or fabric softener or was the sweater brand new?

No the sweater is old, he has worn it before and never had a reaction. It's from Old navy i think, i didnt wash it recently, maybe that's why? i dont know but he is red from scratching himself in some spots, mostly his back, behind his neck

[robintaff]

Gus, 2yrs. old, started scratching behind his ears and upper back until they bled. I changed his food to...grainless kibble, raw, and no chicken. I also put salmon oil on his food twice a day. I'm now washing him in Bio-Groom oatmeal shampoo and his skin is looking great....Hope your baby feels better soon.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 2ducks

No skin related problems since we've had our little girl (5 years on Monday). But lately, she is has been scratching and itching almost every few minutes. Too the point it bleeds. This morning, I found lots of little round cuts (all bloody). We know she doesn't have a food allergy to her food (Solid Gold), since she's been on the same food since a baby.

I put some cortisone cream to alleviate the itchiness and a shirt to avoid the scratching. But I am not sure what else to do.

We did a blood test and urine test a few weeks ago (due to a urinary track infection), but is healed otherwise. Thanks!!

sometimes when they go on antibiotics it kills all good and bad bacteria in body and if you did not put probiotics back in which is good bacteria then they can get a bacteria infection again once antibiotics are stopped also they can become allergic to food even if eaten it for years but in this case sounds like once antibiotics were stopped this came back - just a thought -- join this group allerdog@yahoogroups.com -- dogs can acquire allergies from 6 mos to 6 years of age

[dwerten]

oatmeal shampoo can be very drying so best to wash with hypoallergenic shampoos with allergy dogs as some dogs are even allergic to oatmeal shampoo -- was she groomed recently as my boy yorkie was burned when shaved and he itched like crazy afterwards - made me so mad