We have two wonderful dogs. Our lurcher has always had an allergy to flea
bites, hence we have always tried our best to keep fleas at bay and to treat
any bites via the vet. ie anti-histamines as required etc.
However, our Rotty has suddenly started to nibble/itch and I am starting to
worry. The 'nibbling' is all over, not like the flea allergy and dispite
being treated by the vet and it helping for about 14 days, it's back. It's
not as bad as before. The vet mentioned eczema, but at 5 years old this
didn't seem to make sense to me. What is going on?
We have not changed anything, from the dog food to the furnature polish! I
am worried that this could become a long term problem (because we can't find
the trigger) and rergetably we can't afford to carry on taking the dogs to
the vet's every fortnight (£20 per consultation, per dog, plus any
drugs....)
We love our dogs dearly and I for one can't bear the thought of them being
parted with because we can't afford treatment. They are part of our family!
To be honest I could never imagine either ever settling with another family
even if they had all the money and time in the world!
Has anyone any ideas?

--
--
--
Best wishes,
Denise.
________________________________________
"667...the neighbour of the beast"
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrsnice106
________________________________________

Frustrating, isn't it?

Even though you have not changed anything, have you "replaced" anything.
Like, purchased a bag of dog food (same brand) that may be a little "old"?

It could even be something such as a dry skin. Many like flax or fish oil
or and vitamin E as a supplement. However, it can take weeks to see an
improvement.

Someone was nice enough to pass this recipe on to me. My neighbors have
seen great improvement in their older dogs' coats since using it. They were
mainly looking for a weight gainer - so watch the rottie's weight.

http://www.holisticdog.org/Nutrition...atinballs.html

"Mrs. Nice" wrote in message
...
We have two wonderful dogs. Our lurcher has always had an allergy to flea
bites, hence we have always tried our best to keep fleas at bay and to
treat
any bites via the vet. ie anti-histamines as required etc.
However, our Rotty has suddenly started to nibble/itch and I am starting
to
worry. The 'nibbling' is all over, not like the flea allergy and dispite
being treated by the vet and it helping for about 14 days, it's back. It's
not as bad as before. The vet mentioned eczema, but at 5 years old this
didn't seem to make sense to me. What is going on?
We have not changed anything, from the dog food to the furnature polish! I
am worried that this could become a long term problem (because we can't
find
the trigger) and rergetably we can't afford to carry on taking the dogs to
the vet's every fortnight (£20 per consultation, per dog, plus any
drugs....)
We love our dogs dearly and I for one can't bear the thought of them being
parted with because we can't afford treatment. They are part of our
family!
To be honest I could never imagine either ever settling with another
family
even if they had all the money and time in the world!
Has anyone any ideas?

--
--
--
Best wishes,
Denise.
________________________________________
"667...the neighbour of the beast"
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrsnice106
________________________________________

Frustrating, isn't it?

Even though you have not changed anything, have you "replaced" anything.
Like, purchased a bag of dog food (same brand) that may be a little "old"?

It could even be something such as a dry skin. Many like flax or fish oil
or and vitamin E as a supplement. However, it can take weeks to see an
improvement.

Someone was nice enough to pass this recipe on to me. My neighbors have
seen great improvement in their older dogs' coats since using it. They were
mainly looking for a weight gainer - so watch the rottie's weight.

http://www.holisticdog.org/Nutrition...atinballs.html

"Mrs. Nice" wrote in message
...
We have two wonderful dogs. Our lurcher has always had an allergy to flea
bites, hence we have always tried our best to keep fleas at bay and to
treat
any bites via the vet. ie anti-histamines as required etc.
However, our Rotty has suddenly started to nibble/itch and I am starting
to
worry. The 'nibbling' is all over, not like the flea allergy and dispite
being treated by the vet and it helping for about 14 days, it's back. It's
not as bad as before. The vet mentioned eczema, but at 5 years old this
didn't seem to make sense to me. What is going on?
We have not changed anything, from the dog food to the furnature polish! I
am worried that this could become a long term problem (because we can't
find
the trigger) and rergetably we can't afford to carry on taking the dogs to
the vet's every fortnight (£20 per consultation, per dog, plus any
drugs....)
We love our dogs dearly and I for one can't bear the thought of them being
parted with because we can't afford treatment. They are part of our
family!
To be honest I could never imagine either ever settling with another
family
even if they had all the money and time in the world!
Has anyone any ideas?

--
--
--
Best wishes,
Denise.
________________________________________
"667...the neighbour of the beast"
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrsnice106
________________________________________

It could even be something such as a dry skin. Many like flax or fish oil
or and vitamin E as a supplement. However, it can take weeks to see an
improvement.

My dog had a rather large irritated area on both sides of his back.. Began
losing hair in patches, scratching, really large flakes of skin were falling
off. Seemed to also have a lot of blisters because I felt my fingertips get
wet when I scratched him. It also began to smell bad.

The Omega Oils and vitamin E did the trick in rather short order. I could
see a marked difference within 3-4 days. It was a rather remarkable
recovery in very short order.

I gave him the oils only. I bit through the capsule's end and squirted the
contents of the two capsules onto some mini-carrots which he gets as dog
treats, otherwise he wouldn't touch the capsules alone. Only needed to give
him one capsule of each (400-600iu) once a day. His coat is much better and
shiner as a result.

Also, I quit using oatmeal shampoo. Seemed his skin was always slightly
pink after a bath (every two weeks). I went to a commercial groomer and
asked what they used for dogs with sensitive skin. They gave me some aloe
vera shampoo without oatmeal for around $8. Now, no pink skin after baths.
Odd, especially since oatmeal is often touted as a therapy for skin
problems.

Good luck.

Mack

It could even be something such as a dry skin. Many like flax or fish oil
or and vitamin E as a supplement. However, it can take weeks to see an
improvement.

My dog had a rather large irritated area on both sides of his back.. Began
losing hair in patches, scratching, really large flakes of skin were falling
off. Seemed to also have a lot of blisters because I felt my fingertips get
wet when I scratched him. It also began to smell bad.

The Omega Oils and vitamin E did the trick in rather short order. I could
see a marked difference within 3-4 days. It was a rather remarkable
recovery in very short order.

I gave him the oils only. I bit through the capsule's end and squirted the
contents of the two capsules onto some mini-carrots which he gets as dog
treats, otherwise he wouldn't touch the capsules alone. Only needed to give
him one capsule of each (400-600iu) once a day. His coat is much better and
shiner as a result.

Also, I quit using oatmeal shampoo. Seemed his skin was always slightly
pink after a bath (every two weeks). I went to a commercial groomer and
asked what they used for dogs with sensitive skin. They gave me some aloe
vera shampoo without oatmeal for around $8. Now, no pink skin after baths.
Odd, especially since oatmeal is often touted as a therapy for skin
problems.

Good luck.

Mack

"Mrs. Nice" wrote in message
...
We have two wonderful dogs. Our lurcher has always had an allergy to flea
bites, hence we have always tried our best to keep fleas at bay and to
treat
any bites via the vet. ie anti-histamines as required etc.
However, our Rotty has suddenly started to nibble/itch and I am starting
to
worry. The 'nibbling' is all over, not like the flea allergy and dispite
being treated by the vet and it helping for about 14 days, it's back. It's
not as bad as before. The vet mentioned eczema, but at 5 years old this
didn't seem to make sense to me. What is going on?
We have not changed anything, from the dog food to the furnature polish! I
am worried that this could become a long term problem (because we can't
find
the trigger) and rergetably we can't afford to carry on taking the dogs to
the vet's every fortnight (£20 per consultation, per dog, plus any
drugs....)
We love our dogs dearly and I for one can't bear the thought of them being
parted with because we can't afford treatment. They are part of our
family!
To be honest I could never imagine either ever settling with another
family
even if they had all the money and time in the world!
Has anyone any ideas?

inhalant allergies can cause skin conditions. you're in the UK, correct?
if so, are you in the tail end of pollen season? or the beginning of mildew
season? does mildew even have a season? :-) it could be something
environmental, rather than something in the home. you can give your dog OTC
antihistamines (ask your vet his preference on brand and dose) to provide
relief if it is allergies. if it's not allergies, it won't help the
itching, but at least you'll know what it isn't. :-)
a cool bath with oatmeal soap may also help with the symptoms, as should
adding fish oil or flax seed oil to his food.

good luck!

-kelly

"Mrs. Nice" wrote in message
...
We have two wonderful dogs. Our lurcher has always had an allergy to flea
bites, hence we have always tried our best to keep fleas at bay and to
treat
any bites via the vet. ie anti-histamines as required etc.
However, our Rotty has suddenly started to nibble/itch and I am starting
to
worry. The 'nibbling' is all over, not like the flea allergy and dispite
being treated by the vet and it helping for about 14 days, it's back. It's
not as bad as before. The vet mentioned eczema, but at 5 years old this
didn't seem to make sense to me. What is going on?
We have not changed anything, from the dog food to the furnature polish! I
am worried that this could become a long term problem (because we can't
find
the trigger) and rergetably we can't afford to carry on taking the dogs to
the vet's every fortnight (£20 per consultation, per dog, plus any
drugs....)
We love our dogs dearly and I for one can't bear the thought of them being
parted with because we can't afford treatment. They are part of our
family!
To be honest I could never imagine either ever settling with another
family
even if they had all the money and time in the world!
Has anyone any ideas?

inhalant allergies can cause skin conditions. you're in the UK, correct?
if so, are you in the tail end of pollen season? or the beginning of mildew
season? does mildew even have a season? :-) it could be something
environmental, rather than something in the home. you can give your dog OTC
antihistamines (ask your vet his preference on brand and dose) to provide
relief if it is allergies. if it's not allergies, it won't help the
itching, but at least you'll know what it isn't. :-)
a cool bath with oatmeal soap may also help with the symptoms, as should
adding fish oil or flax seed oil to his food.

good luck!

-kelly

Just thought I'd say thank you to everyone who has taken the time and
trouble to reply. It is very much appreciated.
I have got some cod liver oil tablets and some vitamin E and I have checked
thoroughly to see if there has been any change of the ingredients to the
dried dog food we use all the time. (I'm waiting for a reply).
I've been out and bought some chicken and mild treats for his Kong and our
butcher has kept a bone back for him, (I'll roast that tonight). I am
hopeful that this might serve as a distraction to the itching and grooming
he does. I'll let you know how we get on.
Thanks once again,

--
--
--
Best wishes,
Denise.
________________________________________
"667...the neighbour of the beast"
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrsnice106

Just thought I'd say thank you to everyone who has taken the time and
trouble to reply. It is very much appreciated.
I have got some cod liver oil tablets and some vitamin E and I have checked
thoroughly to see if there has been any change of the ingredients to the
dried dog food we use all the time. (I'm waiting for a reply).
I've been out and bought some chicken and mild treats for his Kong and our
butcher has kept a bone back for him, (I'll roast that tonight). I am
hopeful that this might serve as a distraction to the itching and grooming
he does. I'll let you know how we get on.
Thanks once again,

--
--
--
Best wishes,
Denise.
________________________________________
"667...the neighbour of the beast"
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrsnice106