Scratching...
 

I have had my puppy for about 2 1/2 weeks. She scratches herself like crazy! I took her to the vet for her second round of shots last Friday, and I told him of her scratching issues. He told me to wash her once a week with flea and tick shampoo. That worked for like 2 hours, and then she was back to scratching. Later that night, I found a bare spot on the back of her ear from her scratching. That bare spot with no hair has grown to be as long as the back of her ear. Should I be worried?

I have never had a dog before....

what kind of flea/tick shampoo are you using? once a week seems over load for a little puppy like that, and it might be why she is scratching, since her skin is probably so dried out! Did the vet find any fleas on her? any flea dirt? I would ask them to do a skin scrapping and see if she has mange or any other form of skin disease, or bacteria. did she get into anything outside!?

She's scratching the back of her ear, could she have an ear infection or ear mites? Usually they will scratch the inside of the ear, but maybe she has figured that out yet. poor puppy...:(

I absolutely would not be washing a puppy weekly in flea shampoo. You can get some Dawn dishwashing liquid, the original formula, it's a blue color. Put a thin light color towel down where you wash her, suds her up with the Dawn starting at the neck and working your way back. Let her sit for a few minutes and watch to see if any flea's jump off. If she has any, trust me, they will jump off within 3 - 4 minutes. Rinse the Dawn off good and then shampoo her with a good shampoo and cream rinse. Rinse her thoroughly. Be careful if you use a blow dryer to not let it get hot on her. Their skin has no protection from the heat and can get irritated from the dryer.

One other thing I would check is to be sure she has no mats. Matting can cause them to itch and scratch too.

If you've ruled out skin or ear infections, you may want to look to the food she is eating. There could be something in it that is making her itch.

Good luck! :)

Dog's skin is very sensitive
Most Vets will tell you now Not to use flea and tick shampoos
they are very harsh and will often cause more irritation than they are
supposed to cure
He should have checked for fleas for you as well as ear mites
have you used Frontline on your pup?

I would have the vet do a skin scraping for mites and checkher ears for an infection if they haven't already.

Im shocked that your vet didnt flea comb her before examining her? I would definatly tell you that it could be an array of things, ear mites, mange, ring worm, bacterial infection, and even dry skin! Call that vet, tell them you will not pay for the visit......

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I just went thru pretty much the same thing as far as the scratching in one area and yes, near the ear but below. I was in for his second series and he said to get an oatmeal shampoo and buy advantage. I bought a real gentle shampoo and the owner said to mix it with water. Then when I told her about the advantage and how I dislike chemicals, she said citracel(sp?) will repel fleas. A little after the fact.

Yorkies have such sensitive skin and (prone to allergies I am told.) They should only be bathed once every 4 weeks I was told by his breeder. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I agree, flea shampoos are so harsh. Poor baby. No more of that. And that often???:eek:

This forum, I am finding out, has a lot of experienced owners/breeders that can give you good advice. You could even go under Members list and find one with a LOT of posts or ask for a referral here.

My Tobias HAS stopped scratching. Bit I haven't had him outside for a week now. He was running up to the dandelion puffs and biting them. Then he'd try to eat the yellow flowers. That made me think it was an allergy reaction. The vet said one flea bite can reek havoc especially if they are allergic to flea bites.

Vets do not know everything. I would trust a long time member's advice now first. I'd say get a good referral to another vet. Is this one old/er? Sometimes the younger ones are more hip and up to date on this.

If you believe in God, I'd pray for guidance and wisdom in this. Best of best for you. God's blessings on your little baby.:angel:

UPDATE! Tobias only stopped scratching for a day. He has been ever since. In fact, he started it worse after the Advantage and I was told to use Comfortis. I now feel in my gut it is allergies.I was told by several people with good experience to try a low dose of Benadryl. My sister who has a Maltese with allergies. She said 10 cc's of children's liquid benadryl but the pharmacy was closed for a tiny syringe to measure. Last night I gave him a few drops and he was still scratching. This morning I gave him about 4-5 drops and he hasn't scratched all day. I guess it took a couple doses to work. He sneezed once while brushing him and his overly weeping eyes are normal. My sister also said her dog is allergic to chicken. I know every dog is different. I went out and bought natural dog food, main ingredient is chicken. But I didn't buy it till he was going to town on the scratching so I don't think that is it. I do feel strongly it is allergies. You might want to consider the benadryl but do not give it to him more than once a day. I gave him some last evening to see how he would react to it incase he got sleepy, it was close to bedtime. He didn't not today. He is just as active as ever but today without the scratching. Also, I found an Oatmeal shampoo and a conditioner if wanted on Show Dog, Grooming and Pet Supplies - Cherrybrook with Chris Christensen products. Google his name and check around at different sites for better prices if there are. He also has a Fusion brass 20 pin brush that is good for brushing. A little pricey but good for fur and skin. A woman with a lot of show Yorkies led me to him.

PM me and let me know how he's doing and what you're doing. I hope this helps.

Hugs, Patti

Hello,
I had the same problem. Scratching his ears like crazy until yesterday we decided to take him to the vat again and showed the vet the bites we also had in our bodies. They did a skin scraping and it was negative for mange but since he saw the bites we were having he gave her the shot for mange and antibiotics. We washed all our clothing and bed. If you have bites all around your stomach and there is no sign of fleas than you should go to the vet. I hope he gets better

Thanks. The bite on my stomach is from a spider because they're in a slight pattern, like he was trapped. A neighbor looked at it. (nurse)

I get little dots that itch from time to time and they go away. I am allergic to dogs and cats. Duh, but I get better after time. I know he has allergies now also. I have been giving him benadryl, small amount, twice a day and he has stopped scratching and over weeping has stopped.

I am going to change vets after his shots are finished. I should have been more adamant with the vet about the fleas. I knew he didn't have any and the Advantage only made his skin worse. Someone suggested using Comfortis during flea season or when he gets them. It's gentler on their skin.

Thank you!!! for your concern.
Patti

He goes for his shots Thursday and I do not want antibiotics unless there is a proven reason to use them. They can cause more problems than what they help. I am waiting for a reply from a holistic vet about this.

Hello,
how is your puppy doing?

An informal welcome to Yorkie Talk!!! (I peeked at your page)

Thank you for asking. Right now, temporarilly okay. I am giving him some benedryl every 12 hours and it has kept him from scratching.

I talked with a holistic vet and we are going to try a shampoo called Calm and as one other member suggested, buying fresh frozen raw food.

There are so many things that can cause allergies and scratching. We can only address one or two at a time. Or hope he outgrows it. So many things to know and learn. Like not to feed him from a plastic dish, not feed him processed food, and food in plastic bags. Plastic can put out a chemical that can be harmful. That's why they tell us not to microwave things in a plastic bowl or container.

As explained by the Vet's assistant, dry and canned foods are processed. It can upset delicate tummy's. It would be like us eating only cereal every day. A lot of the additives in these foods are unnessecary or harmful.

Meanwhile, I am treating him for dry itchy skin. I have an appointment with my new Vet next week. By then we will know if the new shampoo and food are helping. As well as the Omega 3 and flaxseed oil I put in his food. I am allowing him to free drink bottled SPRING water for hydration reasons. He's potty trained so I don't have to worry about how much water I give him.

Your baby is precious! I love the three-four weekish look they have. Not that it matters, just curious. Are you male or female. Your name wasn't on the page.

Again, thanks for your concern. That was caring and thoughtful.;)

Patti

Hello Patty,
I am glad he is at least temporarilly ok. Mine is still scratching a lot. Even with the shot and antibiotic they gave him. I am going to take him back to the vet tomorrow. Your yorkie is very cute too. How did you train your dog so early. Please if can give me some tips.

In regards to your question, I am a gay male.

Pasquale