OK Geez back again with another question! Today I noticed a rash on Kanes neck/chest. Right by that big boney part. At first I thought it was from his choker, but I dont think so. I have noticed him scrating alot over the past few weeks... and assumed it was fleas since we had also gotten bit. So I put some frontline on him... which didnt seem to work. He still scratched alot plus a found a blood filled tick on him.

SO then I bathed him with flea shampoo but of course thats just a temp fix. So Im not sure if this rash if from fleas? Or from him just scratching and irritaing it? Or food maybe? Although he was scrating before I tried this food.

Also I noticed a lot of tiny scabs around that area? Bites maybe or just from scratching? PLus his fur looks a little thin in just that spot... maybe from scratching too much? I really dont know what to think.

So Im going to redo my whole house again but Im not sure what to use on him. I bought a can of flea spray for he carpet that can also be used on dogs... but I dont want to burn that rashy area or worse his hair fall out!! So should I just flea bathe him again after I do the house or spray him?

Also is there anything I can put on him to stop his scratching? I have only had him for a little over a month and it seemed as though he started scratching about a week or two after I brought him home. My friend says theres anti itch spray for itchy dogs... does this work?? Is there anyting I can add to his food that will stop him?
Im thinking I should get a good kibble... any good stuff out there for sensitive dogs? I cant do the all natural diet that Ed recommends for certain reasons... Should I get a food with only meat ingredients? Not sure if I can find anything that good here in Stockton CA. lol

So if any of you have had the same problem or have a suggestion let me know!! I hate to see him so miserable and scratching all day long... and no rashy! I dont want him to scratch out all his fur!!

Wow. Ok, for the flea problem, I would bomb the house, throughly sterilize any area where he might be such as a dog house or the garage, put flea pesticide on the yard, keep your grass short, and give him a flea dip. Then put on something like revolution. Make sure you don't use the cheap crap for bombing. Also, if he has ridden in the car do that too as well as crates.

If he was scratching when you got him and didn't have fleas, then he might be allergic to something. WHat kind of dogfood does he eat?

Another thing, how old is he? If I remember right, he is not very old. I would not put a choker on a young pup. Pups need more motivational training, and positive. Chokers cut off their air and can damage the throat even when used properly. I used to swear by them until I discovered motivational training and prongs. But I would not even recomend a prong for a pup either. Just a flat collar with lots of motivation, redirection and reward should be all you need with a young pup.

What has always helped when my dogs get itchy (and mine always get itchy when they first come home. Stress, maybe?) is adding flax seed oil, or salmon oil to their feedings. Also, if you are bathing your pup frequently, and anything more than every month is frequent, I use Solid Gold Jojoba Skin and Coat Conditioner. It works great, and the jojoba oil sooths the skin. I use it every time I bath my dogs.

Hope this helps...

M

Well he wasnt scratching when I got him but about 2 weeks after I got him. He was on Purina puppy chow from the breeder... but heard it was crap so my friend told me to put him on Iams... he was scratching on Purina also... and I have to change him Iams (which is also crap) also because he has pudding poop <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> . So I was thinking of putting him on Royal Canin. As for the dip for the fleas... is my spray ok or should I get the dip? Also it wont harm his rash do you think?

As fr the choker... the reason he has it on is because when we go for walks he lunges at cars...and his adjustabe nylon wouldnt stay tight and would loosen until it almost came off! I read on Eds article that if its a dangerous situation such as chasing cars then its appropriate. Although I must say that hes a hard dog becuase the pops from the choker didnt faze him one bit! But he has seemed to get better walking... I can walk him on regular collor but I kept the choker on but not in use just in case. I thought that the choker just laying against his skin was irritating it since I have read some dogs are sensitive to the metel? But this isnt the case with him.

Purina and Iams are both crap food! Wysong would be a very good choice if you can't go with raw. There are also other foods out there that use quality products that would be worth looking into (timberwolf, cornacopia (sp?), etc. Do a search on raw diets and you'll come across many of these.

Prior to applying all that poison around your house, I would make sure that it truely is a flea problem. All the dips and sprays, etc. can also cause what you are describing OR make it worse. Remember, they are poisons and can have some very serious side effects for dogs especially when over used.

First of all, try to change to a quality kibble. If you are applying too many sprays, dips, topicals, shampoos, ect, well, that would make my skin go nuts too. To try not and sound like a broken record, try the Best Shot Medicated spray and shampoo. They are natural flea and tick killers and you won't be subjecting your dog to all that poison. What is his bedding? What kind of detergents do you use? Don't use fabric softener.

On another note, a veterinary check may be in order. My dog got a rash on her chest and it turned out to be a staph infection. You need antibiotics for this.

Originally posted by Cathi Richardson:
Purina and Iams are both crap food!

While I agree that Purina and Iams are far from what I would consider quality dog food, I think there may be a better way to get your point across to people looking for advice.

Let's watch how we present our opinions, feeding our dogs is a personal choice and while I advocate a raw or home prepared cooked diet for most dogs, I respect everyone's choice on how to feed their own animals. People usually post here for advice, and I personally would feel a little reluctant to take advice from anyone who told me what I had chosen was crap! The same thing could be stated in a different way...

I do agree the diet and the toxins in the environment wouuld be where I wouuld look to deal with skin issues first...

hmmm, if you read Chastity's post she states those foods are "crap" - just agreeing with her!

my bad! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Using the Front Line, and then bathing him in a flea shampoo, and then treating your home, that is a lot of chemicals for the dog to be exposed to in such a short time. Just <IMO>. Some dogs can even get a reaction on their stomach from some carpet shampoos. With out seeing the dog it almost sounds like a contact dermatology problem, to me rather than a food allergy.

God Bless,
Joyce