I have a 3 year old german shepard mix and he is itching something bad, he has eaten his tail raw, he is whining and constantly wanting his back scratched, I have tried 3 different shampoos, 3 different flea meds and he is still going, my wife and I don't have money for a vet visit so any advise you could give would be great.

Thanks
Greg

I think he really does need to go to a vet. Call one in your area, and explain your dogs symptoms, and your situation. Most will offer you a payment plan, and work with you.

He is obviously in pain, and is relying on you to help him! Please don't let him be in pain. You could buy some polysporin and apply it to his tail in the meantime. It might stop the itching a little bit, and you could try a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, to clean the wound a little bit, but you really need to get advice from a vet.

He is trying to communicate with you the best he can by whining. Please don't let him suffer. He really could get a deadly infection with open wounds. Pawn something, whatever you have to do, but get him to a vet!

You really didn't need to throw the guilt like that I know he needs attention that's why I'm here trying to get help but seeing your answer makes me want to withdrawl from this site, I came here for answers not guilt trips!!

Don't get defensive, I was trying to help, not give you a guilt trip dude! I was saying it as I saw it. Take it for what it's worth okay? I do know a little bit about what I'm talking about. If you don't like it, move on. :)

I only want the best for your dog, and I was trying to convey that to you, but I guess you took it in the wrong context. If you are feeling guilt, it wasn't due to anything I said. Could it be something inside you that knows you aren't getting your innocent pup the help he needs?

I probably do more for my four dogs (ALL RESCUES) than most do for there kids, I just moved and lost my job so this is the first time in four Years he hasn't had the best of everything!! I have no guilt to feel!!

I did give you some advice for some quick fix things that you can try and use, until you get him the proper care.

I never said that you didn't care for your dog, did I! You chose to feel the guilt! I wasn't sending you on that trip. I didn't hear you say thanks for the tips on the peroxide to prevent infection, or the polysporin to relieve the pain, all you got from my advice was that I gave you a guilt trip.

You know, we do this for free here, in our spare time, because we care. If you don't like the advice given, then wait and see if someone else gives you another answer that you do agree with.

Again, I was trying to help your dog.

Gademoss, really the only thing we can tell you is to see the vet.

We cannot diagnose your dog, we haven't seen him, and only have your description to go by. It could be a lot of things.

You did state that you've tried different shampoos, is it possible he's allergic to shampoo, or an ingredient in the shampoo. It could be fleas, mites, an infection, any number of things.

We can guess, but that's not going to help your pet. I know that it's expensive to go to the vet, but most vets will work with you in order to make sure that your pet gets the help it needs.

Starbuck is a valued member of this site, and a well know animal lover, she was only trying to help. The great thing about this site, you don't have to take anyone's advice if you don't want to, just move on.

Good luck.

I just wanted to apologize I got a little defensive because I was frustrated and didn't know what to do. My baby went to the vet this morning and was given a steroid shot and some antibiotics turns out he is alergic to a flower in the garden in front of our house. So please accept my apologies and know he has been seen and will make a full recovery.

Apology absolutely accepted, and I'm so happy that your baby is fine, and it was something treatable, and you know the cause, and can get rid of the source!

Best of luck, and puppy kisses from my baby Niki! :)

No apologies necessary, you were worried about your pup, it's understandable. :)

Glad to hear that all is well. Post a pic, we'd love to see your fur babies. :)

These are my babies!! If I did it right the top is Diesel, he is our tail nibbler. Then comes Dakota which is a Wolf and Husky mix, then comes Demon he is a Doberman and Chow mix, then comes Mary Jane pure Jack Russell and my wife's little moocher, lol.

Call around different vet offices. Call the low income vets. They may not even need to see your furry friend. They might be able to tell you what you can give your guy. Or at least call around and get prices.

These are my babies!!!! if i did it right the top is Diesel, he is our tail nibbler. then comes Dakota which is a Wolf and Husky mix, then comes Demon he is a Doberman and Chow mix, then comes Mary Jane pure Jack Russell and my wife's little moocher, lol.

All so adorable. I'm glad little nibbler got the help he needed, and I hope his wounds heal soon. I guess 'lil Nibbler will have to be his nickname now hey? :D My Niki's best bud next door to me is named Diesel, and he is a Shepard cross also.

Becca, it's important to read through all of the posts first sweetie. I know you were just trying to help. :)

K, let's stick to the issue... I understand your upset and quite frankly I too have been under such duress that I have come across too aggressive on this site as well. Your apology was taken even before you gave it... because it's understood that you're freaking out.

I think your dog has "mange". It's like an allergy but at the same time it's like he has little bugs in his fur making him so itchy that he'll scratch his fur off down to the skin and even lick and scratch till he get raw. The prescription is something called Venectyl-P. It's a type of cortizone.

Call your vet. TELL THEM YOU CANNOT AFFORD A VISIT.. but you're dog is reacting to an allergy that's causing mange. Most likely you'll need to put your dog on something called "Revolution" to protect your dog from the elements. It's expensive, but it's worth the craziness your dog is going thru'. We live in the country and unless we put our dogs on "Revolution" they get nuts w/ itchyness, on top of all that they get even worse in the month of August, so they end up on Venectyl-P, (I hope I spelled it right, tho'... ).

Ask your vet if perhaps you can have them tend to your pet at a rate where you can pay them off slowly. Speak to the owner of the place. Tell them that you are not in a good financial position but you love your pet and are trying to "do right" by him. If it doesn't work at that place then try another place.

Don't give up. If no one will help you then go on line and try to get your hands on some Venectyl-P... They must have websites for any kind of medical need, in this day and age. Let us know how it goes or if we can help in any other way... Good luck.

I would also like to suggest something for future reference. I don't know where you live, but I know where I live, (Western Canada) if you are in dire need of veteranary care, and don't have the means, that the SPCA will help out if they can. They might not be able to take care of the whole treatment, but they will help out if they have the funds to do so.

I know in the past, where I was on a very limited disability income, and I had run out of food for my fur babes, that I called the SPCA, and they gave me a huge bag of kibble. In return I volunteered to make things for their fundraisers, so they would have more funding for anyone else that needed help with their pets care and health.

Just an idea. They always need dog walkers, and even temporary foster homes when they become overcrowed, and a ton of things you can do to help, and then if you happen to be unable to pay for something that is wrong with your fur babe, they are more likely to help you out.

Also, one more thing. Have you ever considered pet insurance? There are some really good policies out there. You can pay a small monthly premium, catered to your needs, and then you don't have to worry so much about a big sum of money all at once when something goes wrong.

Hope that helped! :)

Oops, I didn't read all the posts either, I'm also a bad little girl starbuck! Xo