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Is it time for a doggie dermie? Thor has been scratching himself crazy for two weeks. At first I thought he had fleas; then I thought it was his food, since I'd recently switched him to RC. Now I am at a loss. He's been off the RC for a week. Wouldn't that be enough time for him to stop itching if that was the cause? Thor's former owner told me that he had a lot of skin problems as a puppy, and I remember he used to scratch himself like crazy in the office. I thought I'd figured out that it was from sweaters he used to wear. The pollen count is low in my area, and I don't see any marks on his skin. ???? I myself have gotten some insect bites over the past two weeks, but it seems like just one bug since I can't find any on Thor and the bites are not around my ankles. At what point to I take him to a dermatologist? He doesn't seem to be particularly distressed, but but if he's not sleeping, eating, or playing, he's scratching. :confused::confused::confused: |
I think it can take up to 6 weeks for the food to affect their skin but I'm not sure where I read that. I wouldn't count on it but I definitely don't think 1 week would be enough. |
So it could still be the RC? I think I only had him on it for two weeks or so. Should I really wait for six weeks to see if he stops scratching? Poor guy is matting up his coat because he's clawing at it so much. At the same time, he doesn't seem to be intensely itchy, because if he's outside running around, he won't scratch. It seems like when he's just hanging out in the house, it's suddenly scratch, scratch, scratch. He's also trying to bite his butt. :( |
I would be 95% sure it is the RC. The same thing happened to Ellie. She was on it for less than a week and started scratching like mad. She got a steroid injection and the food was taken away. She has had food allergy issues ever since.:mad: Unless there is a medical reason to feed RC, I just do not recommend it for Yorkies. Way too many get itchy from it. It's easy enough to try it and then stop if it causes a problem, but then you face months of the itchies. I'm not saying it's a bad food but sooooo many people on YT are reporting this problem. Anyway, the steroids helped some (Benadryl not at all but you could try) and then she got a lot better until the next allergen/food sensitivity trigger cam earound. It can take 2-3 months for you to see a change. He will likely need drugs before then. You can always go to the vet so they can rule out other issues but it may be a waste of money. |
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Ditto! I'd wait awhile after getting him off the RC. Go to a grain free food if possible (and no flax either, just in case! check the ingredients). You could give an oil for its skin benefits and its anti-inflammatory properties, but it's not necessary - I use Ark Naturals Royal Coat, it's excellent as it has DHA, EPA, GLA, and LA + vit E. If he's really suffering, give childrens benadryl - though I never found that to work for my guys. If after a while, no changes - def. see a Derm - it's the BEST thing I've ever done for my boys, it's not cheap but it's the best money you'll ever spend if facing unsolvable skin issues w/ your regular vet. |
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Morgan used to eat her feet a lot even when using vit e and fish oil. Now i give her coconut oil every day and the foot eating as stopped. it also has been wonderful for her coat. So either the coconut oil or the oil Ann suggested could be worth a try. |
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Can't stress this enough! When a dog has *any* allergy, it's so important to be proactive in avoiding all types of allergens. Bc once they have one kind of allergy, their immune systems are then vulnerable to ALL types of allergies. |
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Virgin oil de Coco-Creme |
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My Marcel has allergies (on Atopica) and Wylie has hypothyroid and Atypical Cushing's -- so clearly, skin issues are a household dealio here! :) |
I'm sorry Thor is having problems, I just wanted to point out it's not the RC itself, it's the corn that RC uses in some of it's formulas that some dogs are allergic to. If you switch make sure you get a brand without corn. Did his last food have corn? |
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i have no idea why it works, but it does. I bought mine at Whole Foods. Its made by Garden of Life. It is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. 100% ORGANIC Delicious Flavor. Garden of Life | Products for Life | Livining Foods? | Extra Virgin Coconut Oil edit: wanted to add that in the jar it is a mushy solid. I scoop out 1/4tsp and put it in her metal bowl. I warm it a little with my hands or the desk light and then mix her food and cosequin together with it. she gobbles up her food now instead of picking every now and then. |
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