"I have been keeping him occupied with play and walks (as much as possible) filling his wading pool with cool water, spraying his underside with diluted apple cider vinegar, applying an icepack when we relax inside in the evening and administering chlorpheniramine maleate. I was just looking for more suggestions."


My vet has a spray called "Relief." This one is DVM brand, but there are others. It's a good and reasonably priced topical (although, like all of them, short-acting).

I would really suggest doing the white sheet test.
Just to somewhat rule fleas out of the equation.

How much fish oil are you giving him?

I don't remember reading it, but is he on any type of flea protection?

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

I would really suggest doing the white sheet test.
Just to somewhat rule fleas out of the equation.

I agree.

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=29702&page=1

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=29702&page=3#341110

we're not saying it's not an inhalant type of allergy, but best to rule out a flea allergy first.

Thank you all for your input. I value your suggestions.

I did the white sheet test. No fleas. He is up to date with Frontline treatments.

This severe itch came on about the same time I bathed him, I began a new dental health supplement, and seasonal allergies could have kicked in. Now, it looks very likely that the itch was the result of an allergic reaction to the dental health supplement.

I started the dental supplement on May 14. I bathed him on May 16 with usual shampoo. About May 20 my husband and I commented that the dog was scratching more than usual. On May 24 I noticed his armpits were raw and his eyes had mucus discharge. I immediately stopped the dental supplement, because that was the one NEW thing. On May 25, I began the antihistamine. I thought the worst was over. I never expected him to be so miserable over the next 6 days as the allergen worked through his system. We did all we could think of to make him comfortable, including asking for suggestions here.

Today is the first day he seems to feel much better. The inflammation and itch have subsided. Earlier, I gave him a soothing medicated bath (new). He is sleeping comfortably, finally.

Connie, you asked for the name and ingredients of the dental health product I suspect my dog had an allergic reaction to. As much as I want to pinpoint the cause of his severe allergic reaction. I kind of hope I'm wrong because I was enthusiastic about this product. I don't want to bad-mouth this product or company. At this time, I only suspect my dog has had an allergic reaction to it. The ingredient list is long. Some examples are natural zeolites, cranberry extract and yucca schidigera extract. The product name is Perio-Support by Vetri-Science. The product is easy to use. Just sprinkle it on food. My dog loved the taste!

"Today is the first day he seems to feel much better. The inflammation and itch have subsided. Earlier, I gave him a soothing medicated bath (new). He is sleeping comfortably, finally."

Good news!

I'm also in So Cal and we're finding Frontline is not really working here. I've only had success with Comfortis and Trifexis. IMO, just because you don't find a flea doesn't mean there aren't any. When I go out in my backyard, I don't see any ants. But I know there are ants.

Considering the weather we are having here and the breed of your pooch, I'm going to guess environmental allergies.

"The inflammation and itch have subsided. Earlier, I gave him a soothing medicated bath (new). He is sleeping comfortably, finally."


Is this still the case?