Tiny Black Specks on Belly
 

For the past 4 or 5 months my boy has been super itchy. He recently got groomed so his nails are sharper than usual and has been causing redness on his sides.

We've tried prescription shampoo to stop oil secretion, we've tried changing food twice and nothing seems to do it.

I searched around a bit and saw the black specks might be flea dirt. Only problem was - it was a little difficult to get them off, like i had to scratch them off. They are mostly near his genitals and the hair around that area.

He pretty much itches all over though. He had ringworm several months ago, but that has been gone for a while, so I doubt that is the cause now.

We recently moved from San Francisco to Phoenix area and our vet said fleas aren't a problem here. I'm still thinking it could be fleas he brought from S.F. and are living in our house.

Our other Yorkie is 100% fine, no itching, no black specks...

Anyone have any clue what this could be, the itching drives me nuts at night and it's obviously driving my little guy nuts too. I really appreciate any help.

Thanks.

I think i've read that the black spots can be caused just by his urine. Maybe if you can scrub lightly there during his next bath

what food are you feeding? what others have you tried? How long was he on each of those new foods?

He was on science diet for a while... then switched to Fromms for 2 months, then to Cannidae (sp?) for a while... itching hasn't gone away. The shampoo the vet said might help... is not helping.

What the heck else could be making him itch so darn much?

what was the main protein source (meat) in the Fromms and Canidae?

The vet is probably just selling you the shampoo to make money.. they rarely work. It is USUALLY food based.

The vet said it is 95% NEVER food based... Fromms we tried fish, chicken, lamb... cannidae is just the standard food... which is single source chicken meal... we haven't been feeding him that long and have it still mixed with the Fromm, maybe we should switch 100% and try for a bit...?

no.. NO chicken... chicken is one of the most COMMON sources of allergies in dogs.. YET... seems to be in most foods! go figure :rolleyes: Layla is SO allergic to chicken that I tried a food once that had three protein sources (one being chicken) that the next day she was beside herself itching. I'd go with an all fish or rare protein like venison, duck or rabbit. And you need to give it a few months. If there are days when he is REALLY having a rough go of it. give him Children's liquid dye free benedryl. Layla is about 7 lbs and I give her about 1/2 tsp. (I live in Canada so my measuring eye drop is in 1 ml.. so you can just convert that to whatever you use.... she gets 1 ml) It might make him drowsy but it will take the edge off.

if you are REALLY beside your self... try home cooking.. its what i do. You will pick one protein, one carb and one veggie and feed that for a month and see how it goes. You need to buy a supplement but i'm sure wherever you bought your Fromms and Canidae they have supplement for home cooking. I would pick fish- it is usually the easiet. Right now Layla is eating cod that i baked, sweet potato and then pick a veggie- green beans. Feed that for a month- if things go well- introduce a new protein- lamb- and see how that goes until you hit a food that you KNOW isn't working because he immediately has a reaction. This is THE best way to figure it out.

Oh I also think you need a new vet ;)

I'll pick up an all fish tomorrow and try it for a few months. Thank you for your time.

no problem. i know allergies and they are NOT fun! but you'll get it figured out :)

Why would the vet say 95% (maybe even 99%) of allergies are not food? He said they are almost all air-borne...

Just to sell $6 shampoo...?

I can't honestly tell you. A LOT Of vets are NOT educated on food. It's just not in their schooling and i've had many even admit it to me... they just don't know as much as they should about it.. AND i'm sure you've noticed food in the vets office.. they are paid to sell that... and probably don't know that it lacks quality.. which also shows you they are not educated on food. I think it is as simple as that. I honestly don't think it is airborne. Where is he itching?

I home cook for Layla and my vet has never had anyone in her office who home cooks and she knows nothing about it.. but i'm educating her :)

He mainly itches near his front armpits and ears (both sides).

awww poor guy. I'm still gonna go with food.... but his ears have been checked right?

Ya, vet checked him out during his itching period and didn't say anything about ears.

I went this morning and all the prior food, Fromms & Science Diet both had chicken. Even the vegetable and fish Fromms had chicken cartilage. I got him Canidae lamb & rice which had no chicken whatsoever. How long should I give him on this food to see improvements?

Thanks.

Homecooked
 

Our bbykin gets home cooked , as he had many problems with the dog food ....itching..coughing...ear and eye infections and also not really vomit but foamy stuff would come up in the morning...

Since Oliver gets fresh fruits and veggies meat fish and cheese..
He is doing GREATand LOVES the variety !

Thay are only bbkins and i think even the ratios of the substances in the dog food are not based on the size of the bbykin...so that in itself could cause problems...

JUST MY THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER !