Hi,
I have this dog which he is a shi-tzu. He has been scratching so bad that sometimes he bleeds. He doesn't have any fleas. He eats OK. I found him on Craigslist and the person that had him said he scratches a little, but when I took him to vet they want to charge 500.00 to get a sample of his hair/skin to analyze it to see what it is. His ears are infected also. And a few more things. Does anyone know what causes the scratching/itching. Do u know of a solution. These people I got this dog from gave me a sick dog. Is that sad or what! Thanks:):)

Well your first mistake was buying a dog from Craigs List! This is most likely a puppymill dog, that was born under horrific circumstances!

There are so many reasons for the itchy, and some can be deadly. You are going to have to find a way to do the blood tests like the vet said! Your dog is SUFFERING! His condition is bad is he is scratching himself enough to make him bleed. The reason the vet ordered blood tests, is because they need to pinpoint the reason for the skin condition. Your dog could die from this if you don't get him treatment soon.

You had enough money to buy him. Now it is YOUR responsibility to take care of him! Do this ASAP! Skin conditions with dogs are VERY serious!

Definitely get the tests done!!
Maybe you could check with other vets to shop for prices, but they'll likely be very similar. However, your dog is IN PAIN! If waterboarding doesn't work, making prisoners itch is the next worst step. Get him some help.

First off, yes, it is now your responsibility to take the proper steps to get your dog the care he needs (as others have already stated). That said, $500.00 seems expensive to me as well, at least from the experience I've had working as a veterinary assistant in my area, so indeed check around your area for other reputable vets... There are numerous causes of skin irritation. It could be flea dermatitis, in which dogs with severe flea allergies can have prolonged reactions to a single flea bite even though no fleas are visibly present. It could be an allergy, either external such as detergent you wash his bedding with, shampoos, carpet cleaners, etc, or a food allergy in which he needs a special diet. There could also be the possibilities of severe reactions to intestinal parasites, sarcoptic mange, fungal, yeast, or bacterial infections, or atopy (inhalent allergies). There are many triggers, so you do need to find a reputable vet and go through the steps to narrow down what the underlying cause may be. I'm not saying to skip the vet, it certainly warrants their attention, but you could try to help narrow it down on your own in the meantime by finding a quality shampoo specially formulated for skin conditions or itchy/flakiness, by making sure there are no chemicals or detergents you may be using causing it, and switching to a high quality food formulated for dogs with food allergies. Lamb and rice is sometimes a first step, but often it too contains other added ingredients that may trigger the reaction. Common food culprits for allergic reactions in dogs are: beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, egg, corn, and soy. These are problematic because they are also the most common ingredients in most dog foods. The only way to accurately diagnose a food allergy is with a food trial, and this is best done after all other allergies are ruled out. I hope this provided you with better insight into your dog's problem and at least gave you the information you need to take with you to your vet. Good luck.

TristaNicholle,

Although I would agree with you in some circumstances, I don't agree with trying to figure this out on her own in this circumstance. The dog is suffering if it is scratching itself until he bleeds. Taking time herself to pinpoint the skin condition of this puppy right now is just not feesible. This will only prolong the suffering, and it takes time to try different shampoo's and foods. Changing foods would take a very long time, as changing up a dogs diet many times in a short period will cause other problems.

I've got a sneaking suspicion that this dog came from a puppymill, or an inexperienced backyard breeder at best. My first inclination wouldn't be a food allergy. I would want to rule out the more serious things like mange. As you likely know, if this were the condition, it needs to be taken care of immediately, or the dog could die, as some skin conditions of this type, greatly effect their immune system!

This is not a situation where you should try and diagnose this on your own. Once again Lynn209, you signed up for this responsibility when you bought a dog, and especially from Craigs List where you don't have any background on the breeder or the dogs health issues. Let this be a lesson to anyone who buys a pet from a non reputable breeder. Reputable breeders do NOT sell dogs on the internet. You may be in for a lot more than you bargained for, and this poor pup has to suffer for it!

If $500 is the cheapest you can find, then $500 it is! I bet you paid close to that for him to begin with! Please everyone, when getting a dog, plan ahead for problems like this, and don't buy from a backyard breeder, pet store, (unless they are rescue dogs) or someone who is likely getting puppies from a mill. Either adopt, or find a reputable licensed breeder.

Lynn209, I have no doubt in my mind why you got an unhealthy dog from these people. They were in this for the money, and that is ALWAYS a bad sign. But you have it now. It's up to you to take the best care of him that you can. I would sell anything I owned to make sure my fur babe never had to suffer for a second, even if the vets price seemed unreasonable. He is counting on you to take care of him. If you can't, I suggest you "give" him to someone that will. The sooner people understand and stop supporting the puppymill and backyard breeder industry, the sooner that no more innocent dogs will have to die, so another can be bred.

There are many reasons for the dog to get itches,get infected its your responsibility to visit doc and put some powders or any creams they provide... I too have dog whose ears got infected due to water inside the ears while we bathing it... then it undergone a small operation now its quitte well

there are many reasons for the dog to get itches,get infected its your responsibility to visit doc and put some powders or any creams they provide ..... i too hav dog whose ears got infected due to water inside the ears while we bathing it....then it undergone a small operation now its quitte well

A skin condition in a dog, as in a human, isn't something that a cream or powder will solve in a lot of cases. Many times it is something internal that needs antibiotics or other treatments and medication. Many people seem to conclude that it's just fleas or something like water in their ears, when in fact it can be much more serious than this. Sometimes it is as simple as fleas, but when they are scratching to the point of the skin becoming raw and bleeding, this is something that needs attention from a vet.

I do accept with you

It probably has a skin condition. My boston terrier had a skin allergy and scratched her but until it would bleed. We had to give her steroids and put oil in her food. It helped but it was never cured. I just did the best I could to ail her for as long as I had her.

Skin conditions, allergies, food, detergent, poor breeding: you see it COULD be a lot of things causing this poor creature to suffer. It could even be a sensitivity to the water treatment in your area. You need to FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. Then you can do something to alleviate it.

Starbuck8:
Never in my response did I tell her to avoid going to the vet and diagnosing on her own. I simply gave her credible facts which she asked for and information she could use until a vet figured the problem out. She wanted to know what could cause the problem, so that is what I provided. If you had read and understood my answer, I specifically said that I was not telling her to avoid a vet. Indeed, the dog needs a vet's care. But arming someone with facts about the situation helps them to be a better and more responsible owner, allowingthem to take that information to their vet of choice and be able to ask and understand questions and answers with said vet. Criticizing them for making a mistake in where they purchased a dog isn't helpful. It doesn't get her to a vet, it doesn't help her understand the severity of the situation, and it doesn't cure the problem. I'm sure she is well aware now where NOT to buy a dog. And by the way, I DID say food allergies were last on the list if everything else was ruled out. Thank you for your "Relationship Expert's" advice, but I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to my stated information. I get it from the learning and hands on experience I've had as a veterinary tech. Take it or leave it, the facts are there, do what you will with them...

*To All: I don't claim to be a vet, and I certainly don't recommend or condone withholding necessary care from a suffering animal. I simply answered a question with factual information, as I believe providing that knowledge is the first step to creating a responsible pet owner. That said, I don't care to hear anyone else mouthing-off about my answers. Thanks.

Starbuck8:
Never in my response did I tell her to avoid going to the vet and diagnosing on her own. I simply gave her credible facts which she asked for and information she could use until a vet figured the problem out. She wanted to know what could cause the problem, so that is what I provided. If you had read and understood my answer, I specifically said that I was not telling her to avoid a vet. Indeed, the dog needs a vet's care. But arming someone with facts about the situation helps them to be a better and more responsible owner, allowingthem to take that information to their vet of choice and be able to ask and understand questions and answers with said vet. Criticizing them for making a mistake in where they purchased a dog isn't helpful. It doesn't get her to a vet, it doesn't help her understand the severity of the situation, and it doesn't cure the problem. I'm sure she is well aware now where NOT to buy a dog. And by the way, I DID say food allergies were last on the list if everything else was ruled out. Thank you for your "Relationship Expert's" advice, but I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to my stated information. I get it from the learning and hands on experience I've had as a veterinary tech. Take it or leave it, the facts are there, do what you will with them...

*To All: I don't claim to be a vet, and I certainly don't recommend or condone withholding necessary care from a suffering animal. I simply answered a question with factual information, as I believe providing that knowledge is the first step to creating a responsible pet owner. That said, I don't care to hear anyone else mouthing-off about my answers. Thanks.

I read AND understood your answer quite well my dear! I have had many years of experience with dogs thank you, and your comments directed towards me were unnecessary and rude. You certainly didn't call out the welcome wagon here. I would suggest getting to know this site a little better, before you try and insult an expert here, or you won't last very long. You don't come here after 8 posts and tell someone how they should or should not answer questions. You have to earn respect here, and you are off to a very bad start. I'm a fair person, so if you have further comments I will certainly read them.

Good luck!