I have a 7 month old GSD and he has biting and itching like crazy!!!
As a puppy he had a little belly rash-no big deal with antibiotics.
2 months later he had a hot spot on his back.
Just recently he went swimming and then started itching like hell.
I discovered two ticks on him and took him to the vet and put Gus on frontline.
Since then he has chewed his fur off his legs and is scratching like CRAZY.
It was always the theory that Gus was allergic to his food(Iams) so I switched him to Nutro Lamb and Rice two weeks before he swam.
He loved the food and didn't seem to itch or scratch.
I took him to another vet for a second opinion and he rattle off all the "could be's"
He tested negative for mites.
But the vet mentioned 3 out of 10 will test positive so were treating him for mites with shots to rule that out and keep him on the same diet with an antihystimine.
My question is Ahhhhhhhhhh....what else can I do for my poor guy? Is there something I'm missing? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I feel horrible for Gus! Has anybody had these problems and found a magic cure?
Thanks for your help
Kathy
P.S. To Andy C it was nice to meet you yesterday at the Petsmart!

I had a foster dog that had horrible allergies and did the same thing as your pup. I know alot of people on this board will recocmmend feeding him a BARF like diet- as that usually helps with allergies and over all health, I dont feed this so I cant say.

We ended up doing allergy testing on my foster and he came up allergic to numerous indoor/outdoor allergies, so the dermotologist fashioned up some allergy shots and he got those once a week and that seemed worked fairly well- if he really started going at himself the vet would give him a shot of Pred. I am not crazy of the use of steroids but it always helped.

I would look into the diet some more- I am sure people here can help you get started.

Also remember that swimming will actually dry out a coat so be careful with that- Also some dogs do not respond to all antihistamines-so if the Benadryl is not working great try another antihistamine- your vet should have more that one choice-

Thanks for that advise!
I email my breeder about everyday and we exchange stories about our pups-he kept Gus' brother.
He uses the BARF diet and had no problems at all.
If we switch his diet I think I'll try the BARF next and see what happens
Let's hope it or something works<fingers crossed>
Kathy

Good- luck- I am glad to hear you have a great relationship with the breeder- If he uses the BARF diet and has had not problems that would be the route I would take.

Hope everything works out-

Good news, this might be a little mental.

I had him out in a kept field for an hour playing fetch. He's been sleeping for two hours and I haven't heard the thumping from his scrathing.

Could it be that he's just bored and needs to work off his energy?

I'm just so happy I can cry that he's not itching!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some dogs do get a bit OCD when it come to licking and scratching- but usually it does not manifest itself in the same way- usually, if thats the case, you will get a dog that licks one area constantly, obsessively.

He is a GSD and they do need mental and physical stimulation, so excersise is a good idea, but I would not run a puppy into the ground for an hour-he still has growth plates that need to be closed-I would try 20 minute sessions and intersprece with some "thinking" work, like obedience. I think Ed says to wait until they are a year before doing strenuous excersise with them. If you are worried that he is bored I would try to have things around the house and in his crate that will occupy his mind, kong with treats stuffed into them work. If you notice him licking re-direct him to an acceptable chew thing.

Good luck-