Running out of anti-itch options - will moisturizing lotion work???

[hdpt00]

Hi everyone -

My two year old yorkie has the worst itching ever and I'm hoping someone here can help!

He's been itchy for about a year and half and we had previously tried changing his food (with no results) and adding fish oil (again no results).

It got out of control about a month ago, to the point where he has a bald spot on his head and his entire chest and stomach are pretty much bald as well. We took him to a dermatologist and the vet said that if we already tried switching food, then he probably has other allergies. So this vet gave us a shampoo and antihistamines, and we also put a shirt on him to stop him from making himself bleed.

I also switched him to nature's variety raw food and have been homecooking some food as well. He has been on this food, antihistamines, and shampoo for 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, his itching is still as bad as ever! We live in the desert and it seems that his skin is REALLY dry. I was thinking of taking a little cetaphil moisturizer and rubbing it into his skin. Has anyone ever done this, or does anyone else have a recommendation for moisturizing his skin? I have tried conditioner (after shampooing) in the past, but again that did not help at all.

My poor little guy really needs help... if anyone has any other ideas, please advise!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I'm sorry that you are going thru this. Hot Rod was really bad with dry skin and itching when he first came home to use. His hears were so bad that they were scaly and flaky like fish food. A vet told me that she thought he had ringworm-a whole other story, but my second and current vet recommended fish oil. I tried using it and Hot Rod got to the point he didn't like it after awhile. My vet then recommended a medicated shampoo and medicated conditioner and this has worked for him! I've laxed the past 2 times he's been bathed and I can see his skin getting dandruffy again so I think the combination of the 2 really work for him. I can give you the name of the product when I get home tonight. The shampoo is the best smelling--medicinal (he dislikes it and that's why I thought if I would switch) but the conditioner smells really, really good-cucumber and melon. yummy. I use the conditioner on Maggie as well.

I think the conditioner was like $10.00 but the bottle has lasted for over a year! at baths pretty much every 2 weeks for 2.

[cj125]

Hi! I live in the desert, too! Mia & Max have totally different coats (as you can see in my avatar) but they both were getting a little itchy. Max's was just little patches and Mia's was like cradle cap! So, I've tried to find things that would help them both.

First, we did put them on a fish oil supplement. New one is called EicosaDerm. I know it worked for us because we ran out of the old one for about a month and Mia got that cradle cap again.

Our 2 are on Science Diet. Not that I would suggest it - but it's helped my 2 with the running poo and their skin.

I use a conditioning shampoo on both of them - but also a conditioner on Max. Both get a spray conditioner when I comb them out afterwards or during the week to detangle.

I bought a product that's like a hot oil treatment that I just started using monthly. I also bought a sunblock conditioner because of the sun here. I've been alternating these.

Don't forget that being alergic isn't always about their food. It could be the dust, chemicals on the carpet, and clothes etc.

I think you have to find the right combination of things for your dog. It may take a while - it did for us.

I've been using Natures Specialties grooming products.

- Nature's Specialties

Good Luck!

[TLC]

Roxy has bad environmental allergies too, but she also has liver issues. Have you had his Bile Acids Tested?

I home cook for her and avoid grains. She gets bathed with special shampoo and NO conditioner (as it leaves a residue on the skin that can cause itching). She also gets fish oil in her food and aloe vera gel (human oral kind). And she can have up to 3 (1/2 of Children Chewable Benedryls) a day. Right now, she is better, and I only have to give her the Benedryl in the AM.

And when times are tough I do put a t shirt on her.

Also, made sure to use Die and Frangrance free detergents, and vaccum often

[TLC]

P.S. the antihistamines from the Vet didn't do anything for Roxy

[capt_noonie]

Don't forget also that when you switch foods it can take a few months for you to notice any change. I switched Uni from Nature's best variety of Science Diet (better than regular SD, but still not great) to Wellness. We are finishing up our 2nd bag and she is scratching way less! When she was on the SD we tried giving fish oil but she didn't like it after a while and bf didn't like the smell. But point being, it wasn't after a few weeks she stopped, it was about 2 months until I noticed a change.

I also read on YT that someone uses a nylon stocking and fills it with quick oats and uses it as a sponge during bathing. Anything with oatmeal in the shampoos will help also.

Anyway, for your original question. i don't see anything wrong with a bit of moisturizer on him. As long as it's the fragrance free sensitive skin type, I think it'd be ok.

[PrincessDiana]

Along with everyone else's suggestions you might try a humidifier!

[Poochieheaven]

Take a look at the coconut oil by cocotherapy.

If you are on facebook, take a look at their fan page-http://www.facebook.com/CocoTherapy

It might be worth a shot.

[dwerten]

please read my comments on this thread as i have been dealing with allergies for 5 years now and it is tough

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...y-what-do.html

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by hdpt00

Hi everyone -

My two year old yorkie has the worst itching ever and I'm hoping someone here can help!

He's been itchy for about a year and half and we had previously tried changing his food (with no results) and adding fish oil (again no results).

It got out of control about a month ago, to the point where he has a bald spot on his head and his entire chest and stomach are pretty much bald as well. We took him to a dermatologist and the vet said that if we already tried switching food, then he probably has other allergies. So this vet gave us a shampoo and antihistamines, and we also put a shirt on him to stop him from making himself bleed.

I also switched him to nature's variety raw food and have been homecooking some food as well. He has been on this food, antihistamines, and shampoo for 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, his itching is still as bad as ever! We live in the desert and it seems that his skin is REALLY dry. I was thinking of taking a little cetaphil moisturizer and rubbing it into his skin. Has anyone ever done this, or does anyone else have a recommendation for moisturizing his skin? I have tried conditioner (after shampooing) in the past, but again that did not help at all.

My poor little guy really needs help... if anyone has any other ideas, please advise!

primal raw is a better brand if doing raw as they have a more limited ingredient raw - they have grinds, etc you can get very basic. Check out their website. 90% of the time it is environmental. Have you tried atopica or temaril p ?

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Don't forget also that when you switch foods it can take a few months for you to notice any change. I switched Uni from Nature's best variety of Science Diet (better than regular SD, but still not great) to Wellness. We are finishing up our 2nd bag and she is scratching way less! When she was on the SD we tried giving fish oil but she didn't like it after a while and bf didn't like the smell. But point being, it wasn't after a few weeks she stopped, it was about 2 months until I noticed a change.

I also read on YT that someone uses a nylon stocking and fills it with quick oats and uses it as a sponge during bathing. Anything with oatmeal in the shampoos will help also.

Anyway, for your original question. i don't see anything wrong with a bit of moisturizer on him. As long as it's the fragrance free sensitive skin type, I think it'd be ok.

oatmeal is a grain and allergy dogs are allergic to grains so do not use anything with oatmeal in it and oatmeal is very drying as well

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Poochieheaven

Take a look at the coconut oil by cocotherapy.

If you are on facebook, take a look at their fan page-http://www.facebook.com/CocoTherapy

It might be worth a shot.

coconut oil is used as a natural antifungal and antibacterial. It helps keep bacteria and fungal infections down in the body. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory as allergy dogs get in flamed - BUT with yorkies you have to be very careful with fatty acids as yorkies are prone to pancreatitis

[Wylie's Mom]

We live in AZ and have been to a very good Vet Derm clinic here.

Allergies can very rarely be managed by diet(unless cause is a food allergy) - so, did they talk to you about Atopica, Temaril-P, Steroids....and then allergy testing as well? For seasonal/enviro allergies, those are really the solutions....not changing foods....although being on grain free, high quality food is essential for any allergy dog, of course.

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by hdpt00

Hi everyone -

My two year old yorkie has the worst itching ever and I'm hoping someone here can help!

He's been itchy for about a year and half and we had previously tried changing his food (with no results) and adding fish oil (again no results).

It got out of control about a month ago, to the point where he has a bald spot on his head and his entire chest and stomach are pretty much bald as well. We took him to a dermatologist and the vet said that if we already tried switching food, then he probably has other allergies. So this vet gave us a shampoo and antihistamines, and we also put a shirt on him to stop him from making himself bleed.

I also switched him to nature's variety raw food and have been homecooking some food as well. He has been on this food, antihistamines, and shampoo for 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, his itching is still as bad as ever! We live in the desert and it seems that his skin is REALLY dry. I was thinking of taking a little cetaphil moisturizer and rubbing it into his skin. Has anyone ever done this, or does anyone else have a recommendation for moisturizing his skin? I have tried conditioner (after shampooing) in the past, but again that did not help at all.

My poor little guy really needs help... if anyone has any other ideas, please advise!

You can try calm coat, I love it, my son had a foster that had super dry skin and was scratching himself to bleed, I had great sucess with the calm coat line for the eyes and ears so we order the skin line and he got relief very fast, and when he got adopted we send the product home with him..
you can find the calm coat at calmcoat.com
hugs,
Carmen in nj

[lrichardsonrnc]

Don't give up until you've tried Vellus Satin Cream. I know different things work for different people's babies but they have a small travel size so it won't be a big investment. Oh, I love it and I'm an instant gratification kind of gal.