Allergic to new shampoo?
 

Hi everyone,

It breaks my heart to have to post in this section of the forums, considering it's my sweet JoJo's 5th birthday today. But he has been miserably itching all over for the past couple days since his most recent bath 2 nights ago with a new shampoo. He is also licking & biting his paws & legs. Tonight while brushing him I noticed small, hard, crusty/flaky bumps all over the back of his head, neck, and around his body (none on his belly though...which come to think of it, I didn't shampoo that area very well). I know I did use too much shampoo on him because it squirted out too much, but I never imagined I'd hurt him by doing so! They are not puss-filled or pimple-like...they almost feel like tiny scabs. Some of them are skin-colored, others are more reddened (possibly due to the constant itching and irritation?).

Has anyone else ever experienced this? He's always had dry skin, so I try not to bathe him too often, but maybe he needs a medicated bath to get the residue off?? The shampoo I used was purchased at PetSmart & it's called "Hartz Groomer's Best 3 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo." I've attached an image of the ingredients as well as one of the bumps on the back of his head. Aside from the bumps and furious itching, he has no other unusual signs.

I would truly appreciate any insight on this before I decide to take him to the vet (I am currently an unemployed nursing student so needless to say, I am beyond broke, but like I always have before, I will find a way to pay for any treatment he may need!).

Has your pup been to the vet for this? Need to find the underlying cause, could be allergies or hormonal abnormality. It looks like it could be seborrhea, they get dandruff & hair appears oily. Hope you'll find answers & Happy 5th Barkday JoJo!

This looks like the bump Dolly has on the bridge of her nose did not appear until after She was at the groomers wondering now if this could be from the shampoo the groomer used

I wouldn't rewash the dog, but do rinse him well again. Rinse, rinse rinse, then rinse some more. I would also give him a bit of baby benedryl, just in case it is an allergic reaction to the shampoo (which is what it looks like).

I would never use "Hartz" products on my dogs. I'd wash him with a daily or clarifying shampoo, then rinse, repeat and use conditioner on him. Let it set in for 3-5 minutes, then rinse well. I wouldn't use any 'oatmeal' types, as they can also trigger allergies. Something with some coconut oil is good for hair and skin.

He hasn't been to the vet for this as it's something I just noticed. He has, however, been to the vet previously to treat his dry skin and he was been given a prescription topical skin cream last year that helped when he was having a lot of flaking & doggie dandruff.

As far as the Hartz shampoo, KJC can you please tell me why you wouldn't use it? I know I definitely won't be using it again after seeing this reaction, but I'm wondering if there's something you know about this particular product that's not good for them? I never know what the better shampoos are so I didn't know this was a questionable brand. If you can recommend a good shampoo I'd really appreciate it! I found a medicated shampoo called "Zymox" that sounds good...any opinions on that one?

Hartz has had problems with many of their products harming dogs and cats over the years... they're not a company I have much faith in.

Zymox makes some good products that work by way of enzymes. Many times Zymox products work where others fail.

I also only buy flea treatments directly from my vet.

Did you see this?
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...in-issues.html

Coconut based shampoos are great for allergy sufferers & sensitive dogs.

OMG I just came across this website: http://www.hartzvictims.org

So many dogs and cats have died or gotten very sick/bad reactions from Hartz products! I am literally sick to my stomach and cannot believe I possibly jeopardized my baby's life by using such a horrible product!!

I think it's the flea & tick meds...
Dogs w/skin problems are better off w/natural products that don't contain harsh soaps & dyes. Espree, IOD (some lines), Tropiclean, Warren London (has coconut based shampoos), Pet Head are all cruelty free, soap free, mild & gentle. Some are paraben & sulfate free.

sometimes apple cider vinergar mixed with water can help unless its really bad

I'm so sorry to hear of your baby's problems.

Years ago, I adopted my first small dog, a 12 wk old mini-Schnauzer. She was eaten up with fleas so the first thing I did was to buy Hartz Flea Shampoo (I thought it must be good b/c of all the advertisements I had seen about it). I bathed her with it. When I told my niece about it, who had been a vet's assistant for 3 years & was in vet school, told me to NEVER use it on a small dog---that several dogs that she knew about had died as a result of it.