Itchy Dog

[shalforette]

My Tibetan Spaniel is forever itching and scratching to the point he seems distressed. He is well groomed (no knots!) and his skin is in good condition not flakey or dry. I took him to the vet who gave him a clean bill of health. I havent changed his diet so am at a loss. Any ideas.

[Roughquest]

Dear Shalforette, this is a very diverse question, I have a labrador and he is now 13 and always throughout his life has chewed his feet, shakes his head, scratches all the time, for no apparent reason, he too has had numerous trips to the vet, regularly deflead, and had numerous changes in diet, all to no avail, so many people have said it could be an allergy to wheat/gluten even chicken ! I changed his food to lamb and rice and he is still the same - I have noticed he does it for attention though, as soon as I let him out in the garden he will sit in the middle of the lawn and scratch his underbelly with both hindlegs, for ages, I think after watching him do this its excitement in he knows he is getting his breakfast or getting fed, almost like a hyped up state, he does it only at certain times of the day, but its still a mystery, his coat is shiny, flake free, and he isnt bald anywhere, i guess its like us biting out nails, or some similar habit. Dogs chew their feet for comfort and relaxation too.

Hope this helps, just ignore his itching, its a dog thing im afraid.

RQ xx

[drgnrdr]

this will not let me post much, acting up I suppose...check out this website I have experience with my dog and her allergies to food and pollens.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=28

type in "allergies" it will give you some good info...dogs can develop an allergy to the food they have been eating for quite a while or just a few days.

[gessoo]

You can safely give a dog a 'Piriton' allergy tablet. This was recommended by my very trustworthy vet for our dog when she gets itchy. It works extremely well. Please make sure it is only 'Piriton' not any other allergy tablets - I can only vouch for Piriton. Only one tablet. whatever the size of dog. They are obtainable from any pharmacy and, of course, Boots.

[Mercurio939]

I've been having the same problem with my dog and after a few months of trial and error I found out that he is allergic to some kind of insect that's in the back yard. Solution, I fumigated the back yard with a product called Triazicide. Hope it works. Also I bought a Anti-itch spray with Lidocaine that I put on his paws and chest.

[shalforette]

Thanks for all your answers. Food for thought.