Itchy Baby!!!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by megooego

I have the same problem! My 11 week old puppy itches by his ears and on his back. The vet checked his ears and ruled out infection or mites, but he does itch a great deal behind his ears. I also check daily for fleas and I never see any. I switched him to Natural Balance food, which is supposed to be better than the Royal Canin he was eating. He doesn't appear to have dry skin because i never see any flakes or anything. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what to do? Is there a vitamin or supplement of some sort that can help this? My vet is convinced it is the little hairs inside his ear that need to be plucked so maybe that could be it?? I hate to see him itch..

plucking i do not recommend as can cause ear infections as you open pores and allows bacteria in. scabies and demodex (mites) are sometimes hard to detect and they affect the face more. Fleas affect back half of the dog. If your dogs are having issues get a dermatologist and start narrowing it down now as if allergies it is a tough road as been going down it for 5years. Vets many times are guessing and all over the place and a dermatologist narrows it down quickly. First check for mites, then do food elimination diet, then make sure no flea saliva issue, then last but not least environmental allergies which is 90% of the problem and not curable sadly and due to inbreeding of this breed they have poor immune systems thus causing skin issues. Another thing that needs to be ruled out is hypothyroid which my dog has as thyroid issues affect the skin and loss of hair. A 6 panel thyroid should be done through jean dodds or michigan state

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

Our vet plucked her hairs on her first visit~which hurt me more than her~he told me that this is part of their hygiene??? I had no idea!! Her ear infection is gone now but she still has the itching!!! I got ear cleaner from the vet and he showed me how to clean her ears at home~We do that weekly~and your right~it's pretty gross what comes out of those cute little ears!!!
Also, thanks for the info on the Dawn dish liquid~I figured that may have stripped the oils in her skin and coat!!!

when you do the dawn to kill fleas you have to follow up with a heavy conditioner to condition the skin. I do not pluck my yorkies ears as the only time my dex had ear infections is the two times he had them plucked and our vet said not to pluck due to opening pores and thus allowing bacteria into the pores

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by romeos mommy

try Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Food and Treats

make sure if doing treats it is the same protein -- you need to not do too many proteins or you will run out when doing elimination diet - stick to one protein for 12 weeks and has to be a protein and carb they never have had -- i treat with the kibble as to not mix anything different in to the equation -- with allergies you need to do one thing at a time and take lots of notes

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

allergies start from 6 mos to 3 years as dd started at 6 mos. It can be a side effect of the puppy vaccines as well. It is not a good sign at that early of an age of a good immune system sadly Did they scrape for mites sometimes you have to have it done a few times as hard to detect- any fleas ? one flea bite can last up to 3 weeks in a flea allergy dog -- my guess would be on this the food or mites since under 6 mos

We have not had her back to the vet as of yet, I wanted to try the diet change and shampoo change as well!!! I was not aware that some allergy dogs were allergic to oatmeal~we just got biogroom anti-itch shampoo with OATMEAL!!! OMG!!! I am so glad that I have joined this site!!! There is so much information that I don't know!!!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome to YT!!! This is our first Yorkie and "oh boy" what a delightful experience...What we didn't realize was she is very high maintenance!!!! Diva Doggie!!!! Also, thanks to all for the suggestions~we greatly appreciate them, as this is quite a learning experience...We went out yesterday and got her Natural Balance small bites food...Also, got BioGroom Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner ( I didn't realize dogs used conditioner~LOL!!!) She has been on Frontline Plus and I check skin daily!!! She mainly itches around her ears-she had an ear infection the first time I took to the vet so she had to be on med for that!!! Since then I clean her ears frequently!!! Her skin looks fine but I have noticed a bit of dander!!! The breeder that we got her from told us she bathed her with DAWN dish liquid~OMG!!!! The other thing that I am concerned with is that she hacks and coughs often...We have her on Childrens Benedryl which her vet suggested!!! But I don't like giving that too her all the time!!! She doesn't care for it either!!!

no oatmeal as oats are a grain and many allergy dogs are allergic to grains. It is also drying - only hypoallergenic shampoos for allergy dogs

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

We have not had her back to the vet as of yet, I wanted to try the diet change and shampoo change as well!!! I was not aware that some allergy dogs were allergic to oatmeal~we just got biogroom anti-itch shampoo with OATMEAL!!! OMG!!! I am so glad that I have joined this site!!! There is so much information that I don't know!!!

no oatmeal -- go get BLUE HYPOALLERGENIC AT PETCO - it is all natural and for conditioner get the herb conditioner with green tea as green tea is anti-inflammatory as allergy dogs get hot and inflamed. First just do shampoo and see if any reaction and you will know if reaction as they get littl red bumps after bathing - you should not see this as i have tried hundreds of shampoos for my allergy dog and this works best - also dr bronners mild unscented baby shampoo with all organic oils - hemp , coconut, jojoba works great too

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome to YT!!! This is our first Yorkie and "oh boy" what a delightful experience...What we didn't realize was she is very high maintenance!!!! Diva Doggie!!!! Also, thanks to all for the suggestions~we greatly appreciate them, as this is quite a learning experience...We went out yesterday and got her Natural Balance small bites food...Also, got BioGroom Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner ( I didn't realize dogs used conditioner~LOL!!!) She has been on Frontline Plus and I check skin daily!!! She mainly itches around her ears-she had an ear infection the first time I took to the vet so she had to be on med for that!!! Since then I clean her ears frequently!!! Her skin looks fine but I have noticed a bit of dander!!! The breeder that we got her from told us she bathed her with DAWN dish liquid~OMG!!!! The other thing that I am concerned with is that she hacks and coughs often...We have her on Childrens Benedryl which her vet suggested!!! But I don't like giving that too her all the time!!! She doesn't care for it either!!!

the hacking is probably reverse sneeze which happens when they get excited - make sure nothing around trachea use step in harnesses for these wee ones as trachea is susceptible to collapse -- reverse sneeze goes along with allergies as well - the easiest way to stop it is cover nostrils and open mouth and it will stop instantly

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by megooego

I have the same problem! My 11 week old puppy itches by his ears and on his back. The vet checked his ears and ruled out infection or mites, but he does itch a great deal behind his ears. I also check daily for fleas and I never see any. I switched him to Natural Balance food, which is supposed to be better than the Royal Canin he was eating. He doesn't appear to have dry skin because i never see any flakes or anything. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what to do? Is there a vitamin or supplement of some sort that can help this? My vet is convinced it is the little hairs inside his ear that need to be plucked so maybe that could be it?? I hate to see him itch..

yes there are supplements and such but first you need to do a food elimination diet on it's own for 12 weeks first before confusing the situation - baby steps for allergies - one change at a time or you will make yourself crazy trying to figure out what works and what does not

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

could be the chicken so i would put on natural balance venison and sweet potato or duck and sweet potato for 12 weeks and i am not a big fan of vet shampoos so i would recommend hypoallergenic shampoos as many allergy dogs are allergic to oatmeal shampoos and they are drying as well

We just got the Natural Balance but we got the Ultra Premium for small breeds, how often would you recommend changing?? I almost bought the duck and sweet potato type but again wasn't sure!!!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

We just got the Natural Balance but we got the Ultra Premium for small breeds, how often would you recommend changing?? I almost bought the duck and sweet potato type but again wasn't sure!!!

that is not a limited food ingredient so you need to take back as they will return it and my recommendation is the venison and sweet potato - use it for 12 weeks and that only - use kibble as a treat

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

no oatmeal -- go get BLUE HYPOALLERGENIC AT PETCO - it is all natural and for conditioner get the herb conditioner with green tea as green tea is anti-inflammatory as allergy dogs get hot and inflamed. First just do shampoo and see if any reaction and you will know if reaction as they get littl red bumps after bathing - you should not see this as i have tried hundreds of shampoos for my allergy dog and this works best - also dr bronners mild unscented baby shampoo with all organic oils - hemp , coconut, jojoba works great too

Can you get both of these at Petco!!! We will go first thing in the morning!!! How often do you bath your baby's??

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

Can you get both of these at Petco!!! We will go first thing in the morning!!! How often do you bath your baby's??

My allergy dog i bath weekly to keep dust and pollens off of them and yes both are at petco -- the blue hypoallergenic is only sold at the higher end petcos though - it is in a blue bottle

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

My allergy dog i bath weekly to keep dust and pollens off of them and yes both are at petco -- the blue hypoallergenic is only sold at the higher end petcos though - it is in a blue bottle

Thank goodness~I thought I may have been bathing her too often!!! I bathe her weekly as well. I will keep you posted on her condition and again thanks for the good advice...Have a good night!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

Thank goodness~I thought I may have been bathing her too often!!! I bathe her weekly as well. I will keep you posted on her condition and again thanks for the good advice...Have a good night!

yes please keep me posted and i will try to help you get her as comfortable as possible

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

yes please keep me posted and i will try to help you get her as comfortable as possible

We went to vet today~he still thinks its allergies!!! He put her on antibiotics and suggested a half tablet of Zyrtec...I guess all we do now is wait and see