Hi all! I have two rescued Chihuahuas, five years old. They are brothers. One doesn't have any problems, the other, Poco, has food allergies. We found this through a food eliminating diet. He now eats no wheat or corn. He was doing great once we switched his food about 6 months after we rescued. In the past four weeks, Poco started itching like crazy. We bought new bedding, washed their pillows several times, retreated the yard for fleas. We have a professional bug service for both inside and outside and made them come back and re-spray. They are on flea preventitive. I found one flea on their outside pillow, we never had fleas in the past. I even used a flea dip on the dogs. I vacuumed the area rugs in the house, after coating them with salt and baking soda and have a flea collar in the vacuum.
His itching didn't stop, it's gotten worse! His poor naked belly is so red. He had some scabs and lost some hair on his face from rubbing on the porch! He is also licking between his toes on his front paws. I took them to the vet, and all he said was to let it run its course or go through allergy testing. He said it didn't look like mange or anything, looks like an environmental allergy. I'm now using an oatmeal shampoo with itch spray. I bought a baby onesie, but it's too big to try to protect his skin. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm sorry it's so long, I'm worried sick. I can hear him throughout the night in his crate scratching...
Re: itchy dog and don't know what to do (long, sorry)
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
These are prescription so you will need to speak to your vet first!
The shampoo is from Virbac and is the Allermyl shampoo for dogs and cats.
The drops are also from Virbac and they are called Allerderm Spot On.
The drops are expensive but they are used on a monthly basis. So I recommend getting a pack so you have extra if it works!
Good luck and keep us updated!
Just a little background. .. I have an all white dog who seems to be allergic to chicken products, flea saliva and I think she just has regular seasonal allergies. She broke out in hive like bumps all over her little (big) pink body. She almost looked like she was suffering from demodex mange!
I used these products and now she is not itchy and her coat is nice and shiny! No bumps or scabs!
The previous poster had some good advice. If bathing and zyrtec/benadryl don't work, then look into getting the allergy testing or go to a veterinary dermatologist. They are pricey, but the dermatologist was the only one who got my poor Macy's allergies straightened out. She was so itchy that she was chewing herself until she was bloody.
Also, if they suspect environmental allergies, then wipe the down the paws and tummy with just a damp wash cloth after being outside. It helps to get the pollens off the skin and can reduce issues.
Best of luck!