Itchy dogs

borderlinemeath

In the past couple of weeks my dogs have noticeably started scratching, sides and backs rather than paws. No fleas, I've gone through their coats with a fine tooth comb! One has very flaky dandruffy skin now. Diet hasn't changed, no flea or chemical treatments either. I'd be bringing them to the vet only they're only open for proper emergencies right now.

Normally my dogs would be on the beach every day, swimming, running through the dunes and have never had any skin issues. Since the lockdown on the 27th of March they haven't been on the beach as technically it's about 3km away. We've been going into the fields behind us every day, so I'm fairly sure it's something that they're reacting to there. Perhaps a crop or a fertiliser? They're used to being in there, but they would always have runs at the beach in the sea so would have perhaps washed off whatever is annoying them. From the fields they tend to just get their paws washed - which would tie in with their sides and backs being irritated.

Anyhow, is there anything I can wash them with to soothe the skin? Any particular medicated shampoo, or home remedy for Cocos dandruff? I could do a video consult with the vets, but tbh, I don't want to medicate or steroid treat yet. There's no redness or irritation, just itchy and scratchy! They'll be getting full hose downs from now on, I just want to give an extra hand to it.

mymo

borderlinemeath wrote: »

In the past couple of weeks my dogs have noticeably started scratching, sides and backs rather than paws. No fleas, I've gone through their coats with a fine tooth comb! One has very flaky dandruffy skin now. Diet hasn't changed, no flea or chemical treatments either. I'd be bringing them to the vet only they're only open for proper emergencies right now.

Normally my dogs would be on the beach every day, swimming, running through the dunes and have never had any skin issues. Since the lockdown on the 27th of March they haven't been on the beach as technically it's about 3km away. We've been going into the fields behind us every day, so I'm fairly sure it's something that they're reacting to there. Perhaps a crop or a fertiliser? They're used to being in there, but they would always have runs at the beach in the sea so would have perhaps washed off whatever is annoying them. From the fields they tend to just get their paws washed - which would tie in with their sides and backs being irritated.

Anyhow, is there anything I can wash them with to soothe the skin? Any particular medicated shampoo, or home remedy for Cocos dandruff? I could do a video consult with the vets, but tbh, I don't want to medicate or steroid treat yet. There's no redness or irritation, just itchy and scratchy! They'll be getting full hose downs from now on, I just want to give an extra hand to it.

Can you get an oaty shampoo? Or soak oats in some water and give a wash in that after shampoo, just rinse well or it gets sticky when dry.
At the very least I'd wash and condition them, add a little oil to their food (sardines in oil are always a big hit in our house), and maybe avoid the area for a week or so and see if that helps, that's assuming there's somewhere else you can walk.

borderlinemeath

mymo wrote: »

Can you get an oaty shampoo? Or soak oats in some water and give a wash in that after shampoo, just rinse well or it gets sticky when dry.
At the very least I'd wash and condition them, add a little oil to their food (sardines in oil are always a big hit in our house), and maybe avoid the area for a week or so and see if that helps, that's assuming there's somewhere else you can walk.

Walking is the problem, there's no other option at the moment with CoVid restrictions. So it's at least another 3 weeks of this. Our road is too busy and has no footpaths and going to the beach is outside the 2km zone.

Of course Coco who is the flaky one, isn't fond of sardines. That would be too easy:p

sdp

I used to use Foran Soothe & Sensitive for Toby, as he always had hot spots and itchy skin once the weather started to warm up.
Found it very good.
done a search.
https://redmillsstore.ie/products/foran-soothe-sensitive

Ms2011

Had this situation recently with our long haired Chihuahua, tried a few home remedies I found online but a course of steroids and bi weekly shampoos with a medicated shampoo was the only thing in the end that resolved it.

mymo

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Walking is the problem, there's no other option at the moment with CoVid restrictions. So it's at least another 3 weeks of this. Our road is too busy and has no footpaths and going to the beach is outside the 2km zone.

Of course Coco who is the flaky one, isn't fond of sardines. That would be too easy:p

Try scrambled egg with Oliver oil 😉

aonb

Glad you posted this - just for the past 2 weeks my dog is scratching like mad too - again, no changes to diet, no fleas - wierd. He does like sardines/oil so I'll try him with some

MissShihTzu

I used to use the Tropiclean coconut shampoo for my dog who had very sensitive skin. It was the only shampoo that agreed with him. You can buy it from Christies. They deliver here.