My 4&1/2 Month old mal has been scratching alot for about the past 2 weeks for sure, but I think for the last 3weeks possibly, can't remember exactly when I first noticed it. I bath (use oatmeal shampoo)him enough but not to often, he doesn't have dry skin. I use flea and tick spray and brush him very good every other day. He continues to scratch the same 2 spots all the time, right behind his left ear, and his right rib cage with the hind foot. He also bites the base area of his tail and just generally his hind area alot. I have noticed his coat in the area he scratches getting thin from where he scratches all the time. Does this sound like allergies? If it is I'm suspecting his food maybe, not that I think about it I believe it could possibly have started around when I put him on this new food, Authority Petsmart Brand(chicken for large breed puppies) He has big parents and fits the catagory for large breed based on his parents. Maybe I should try some sort of lamb and rice formula?? I hear that is good for pets with allergies. I do not notice any fleas, ticks or mites on him. Thanks ----Chris D

You might consider switching to a raw diet. At the very least add some lipids, they should help with the skin.

Also, I suggest you switch to one of the one time flea/tick treatments and dump the spray crap.


Again, this was mentioned in another thread. . .don't wash the dog with any soap unless absolutely necessary.

I wash my dogs with soap MAYBE once or twice a year. Warm water and a towel dry does wonders, unless they roll in dead animal, piss, or crap.

From where your dog is scratching and biting, behind the ear and at the base of the tail, I'd suspect fleas. As VC said, ditch the spray. I've never had much faith in them. Unless you saturate the dog , they don't do much good.

I also agree to ditch the spray. I like to use the drops between the shoulder blades, and I only use it about every six months and my dog has no fleas........you would have to use it more often if you had a tick problem, but for fleas it lasts longer.

Thanks for all the responses, I will try the advantage give him a few days and see if he gets better. I just moved into a new house, and the last owners had 2 dogs and the neighbors behind me have 2 dogs, so I am going to treat my yard, and try the advantage. If that doesn't work, then I will take him to the vet. I work for uncle sam, and he's a cheapskate, so I have to make sure there is nothing I can do for my dog first before I can take him to the vet. I will if I have to but don't want to pay $100 dollars for him to tell me to buy this advantage from his clinic. I have wasted way to much money @ vets in the past for stuff I could have done easily myself. THANKS ALOT. -----CHRIS D

Hi, my dog had dematitis to the skin I think. My vet said it wasnt mange, but they werent certain to what it was. Shes always itching under her belly and behind her ears, and is loosing hair on her rear back and tail. I was told to give her omega 3 and vitamin e. Does anyone else have any other suggestions? Also, is there a shampoo or something I could use a long with the vitamins? Thankyou so much for your help!

get some gentian violet and apply it to the spots + about 1 inch wider. It is a purple dye, that kills a wide range of fungus and bacteria and has a very low range of side effects.

This sounds to me like flea allergy dermatitis- the dog is allergic to the flea's saliva, and leads to crusty skin and bare spots...particularly at the base of the tail. You can probably assume that the previous tenants left them behind. Vacuum thoroughly,and THROW OUT the bag! Do this constanty, using premise spray as directed. Make sure to toss the bag- there's fleas in there! Using Advantage (or Sentinel, or Revolution, etc..)isn't a rip-off, it's the only way to go. Expensive, yes- but cheaper in the long run... rather that pay for an exterminator because you have a flea infestation on your hands.

Thankyou for your replies!

Cody,

Just to support VC and others that recommend the raw diet. I fed my previous GSD dry food and he had numerous skin problems (never fleas). Prior to gettting my new GSD I researched the raw diet to death and decided it was the best choice for my dogs health. He is 9 months old and has been on the raw diet since i got him at 8 weeks, his coat is the most beautiful i have ever seen on a dog and no scratching issues.

If you consider the raw diet i recommend you purchase a couple books on Ed's recommended list and read the treads in the natural diet topic. Study and prepare youself prior to moving to the raw diet and the transisiton will be much easier on you. Good luck.