Intense itching! Driving us CRAZY!!

[Heatherm4]

Our 7 year old Boarder Collie has been itching like crazy since about October. It's happened ever since he's gotten sprayed by a skunk in September. He was treated with a peroxide/baking soda mixture.
In October he was treated with antibiotics and and a shot of steriods because of itching and hotspots. His itching went away for about 2 weeks and since then he's itching all the time and has the craziest amount of dandruff. We have changed his food about a week ago to something that is corn and wheat free. We've given him a bath with special shampoo and I've been giving him omega-3's in his food for the last week.
We are at a loss of what to do. I don't think it's allergies, I think it's just dry skin. Plus it's the dead of winter and no he doesn't have fleas.
He's also shedding a lot too.

[smidlapp]

Thanks for the update! Actually the probiotics will help the body adjust to new foods. People who travel overseas take probiotics with them so as to avoid complications with new and strange foods.
Mommy and doggie time sounds great! It maybe your cure!

[Heatherm4]

Thanks so much everyone!
He has started a good quality food. It is wheat and corn free. I haven't done probiotics just yet. I started giving him extra omega 3's but realized there is some in his food as well. The probiotics I haven't tried yet. I was thinking of giving him a little bit of time with his new food first but have the probiotics on hand for when it's time to start. He had quite the gas when starting on the new food. That's passed! (Thank god, LOL)
He hasn't gotten any shots in a long time so I know that can't be the culprit either.
Indeed it did start exactly around the time that the baby came around. Seemed odd to me too. He was our first baby and it sounds terrible but he has been put on the back burner, especially since it's the dead of winter. He still goes out and gets his playtime but there's less of me out there and not as many walks as we used to have. I think maybe I should start some mommy and doggie time, just the two of us again. I feel bad and have never thought about it that way. He doesn't seem jealous or anything but I guess that doesn't mean it's not stressing him out!

[smidlapp]

So your on a quality dog food now and your adding Omega 3's. Maybe two or 3 1200mg caps? Did you start adding the probiotics?  Probiotics and fungi do not like to live in the same area. They don't get along at ALL.
No more hot spots? So thats progress, right?
Dogs are so in tuned to what is happening in the household that it is possible a part of the cause is stress. Try to make sure you give your dog just alittle more attention then he had gotten before the baby came (you do have a baby, right?). Make sure his routine is stable and that any changes are made with lots of affection and attention.
The exact cause may never be found. Stress makes everything worse, allergies make for an increase in fungal infections, which make allergies worse, which make for more stress!That's why natural treatments seem to work so well. Toxins are removed and the body heals itself.
One last question- you didn't happen to have him vaccinated at or around the time this all started, did you? Side effects from vaccines include everything you dog has. Anyway, 'can't wait to hear how things are going! Please keep us updated. Thanks!!

[Margot49]

Well, food is usually the first suspect. I just question that this stated about the same time as the new baby arrived.  Wonder if it might even be stress.
I'd try the new food but, if you are trying to figure out if it is a food allergy, you have to keep a diary and not feed anything but that food or you won't be able to know for sure.  I'd start out by using a food with no corn or wheat.  Try bathing with an oatmeal shampoo.

[Heatherm4]

I know it sounds like allergies to me too. Just not sure what he'd be allergic to. Can't be anything outside I don't think because it's the dead of winter! There hasn't been anything different in our home for a while besides baby stuff. Which he doesn't pay attention to at all.

He's actually been put on a new, all natural food a week and a half ago. Not sure how long it'll take until we really see the benefits from it.
I've given him Benadryl before. The children's kind so it doesn't contain alcohol. I just follow weight guidelines. Doesn't really work to well.
At least he hasn't had any hotspots again. It had me so worried for him when he had one before.

[Margot49]

That is odd it started about the time the baby came.  Sounds like allergies.  Did you change food?  Any new carpet or anything in the house?  Allergies can be so hard to figure out.  Could be food, environmental, contact stuff, etc.  If it were me, I'd give a bath in a mild (maybe oatmeal) shampoo.  I'd then give a vinegar rinse (let it sit on there for a while) then rinse off well. No, the dog will not smell like a salad.  I'd get a small bag of the Pro Plan Salmon for Sensitive Skin food and do a gradual food change to that.  You can give Benadryl for the itching but I'd check with your Vet on that and the dose first.  The other ideas are good ones but I'd try one at a time and they you can rule out something if it works or not.  Food is always the first suspect.  Have you gotten any new dog treats or additives for his food?  

[Heatherm4]

Thank you for your advice. I think we will see how his new, natural food goes for a few weeks and then if it persits then visit the vet to see whether it's actually allergies or not. Then we will decide about the products you have suggested! I hope for our dogs sake that it ends soon. I feel so terrible when he's itching all the time!

[Heatherm4]

You're right, I'm not sure if it's allergies. When he was on the meds from the vet, all of his itching and shedding stopped for the time he was on them. Then it was fine for a couple weeks after that and then he's been itching again.
I guess the main thing that makes me believe that it's dry skin is the amount of dandruff that accumulates around the hip area and I find it odd that it just happened to start after getting sprayed by the skunk. What types of things could dogs be allergic to? The only thing that's been introduced into his life around the time that this all started was our baby. He was born in October and that was about the time he started to get really bad.
Many people said his itching and stuff could be from nerves but I don't believe that. The vet also said that it's odd for a dog to develop an allergy so late in life too.

[ryanamartin1]

umm i dunno if im so sure it would be just dry skin , why dont you think its allergies? theres thopusands of diff allergies, this sounds like what my old jack russell had he always scratched  and had hot spots (this stuff is the worst) and he had it at very young age until he was 8 which is yong for little dog) they never could cure it he also had problems with ears and eyes, always getting sick... good luck you could be in for a long road. it turned my dog into a angry dog but i do believe it was mostly allergies but never was pinpointed to a T

[smidlapp]

Yes you could use the probiotic you have. It will work just fine. You can get all the items at a health food store, colostrum included. Use the powder form. If you like to buy stuff on line go to swansonvitamins.com They have everything at very low cost. And they will get it to you in a few days.  Good luck and let me know how things are going

[Heatherm4]

Thanks, I've never even heard of this stuff before. Well besides probiotics. I actually have some in my fridge for my infant. Think I could use that? How on earth do you get colostrum?

[smidlapp]

Omega 3's are great. But you need to add probiotics! The antibiotics wiped out your dogs natural flora. The probiotics will help the dogs overall health and immune system greatly. Also add MSM powder, Spirulina (most dogs love it!) and colostrum to your dogs food. All these things will aid in digestion and strengthen the immune system of your puppy. These agents will also detox the entire system and kill off systemic fungal infections. Use a probiotic with at least 1 billion such as Kyodophilus brand. One table spoon of spirulina daily and at least 1000mg of colostrum (use 1st milking). It's very very possible that your dog now has a chronic fungal infection secondary to antibiotic and steriod use. The above natural agents will take care of the fungal infection as well. Other easy, safe, healthy and natural treatments include raw organic apple cider vineger 1 table spoon daily and herbs such as pau de arco powder- a tea spoon daily until the problem resolves. Go to a health food store to ensure you get quality products.  Best wishes to you and your doggie!!!