Help, my dog scratches too much!

dodgenthrutown · Feb 15, 2006, 05:03 PM

Hello. I have a cocker spaniel who constantly chews at herself. So much sometimes that she causes herself to bleed. I've had her since a pup and she's 10 now. Any suggestion's??

lilfyre · Feb 16, 2006, 05:38 PM

Have you taken your dog to the vet for a healthy check up, as your dog get older things tend to change, you vet can check for the simple things first like external parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, or mites. Your veterinarian will evaluate the health of the skin and coat of your dog. Special shampoos, additional grooming, supplements, or certain diagnostic tests may be recommended. Dry skin can be a problem for older dogs, and again, fatty acid supplements may be beneficial. Your vet may also check for allergies. I did a lot of research on your question an obtained my information from a site called Pet Education.com. I hope that this was in some way helpful to you. (O:

cgg0002 · Feb 17, 2006, 06:47 AM

You can try adding a little cooking oil to food and also give a benedryl in the food - not too much, you will have to keep adjusting the dosage.

fredg · Feb 17, 2006, 08:05 AM

Hi,
It could be allergies, but hard to tell.
I also suggest taking her to your Vet. He/she can diagnose the problem. Some dogs are also allergic to fleas, causing irritations and scratching. I'm not saying she has fleas, but just for information. I do wish you and she the best of luck.

lilfyre · Feb 17, 2006, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by cgg0002

You can try adding a little cooking oil to food and also give a benedryl in the food - not too much, you will have to keep adjusting the dosage.

You need to be very careful, do not give your pet any over the counter drugs many contain acetaminophen which can be deadly to your pet, do not give OTC’s with out direct direction of your veterinarian. And not knowing the dosage could be lethal as well.

dodgenthrutown · Feb 17, 2006, 07:38 PM

Yes, and Thanks. She has been to the vet. She goes regularly and has alway's had this condition. Her vet has in the past prescribed different things, and they usually help however, I just hate continually giving meds to her. I guess I am looking for a more "natural" alternative.

labman · Feb 21, 2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by lilfyre

You need to be very careful, do not give your pet any over the counter drugs many contain acetaminophen which can be deadly to your pet, do not give OTC’s with out direct direction of your veterinarian. And not knowing the dosage could be lethal as well.

Very good point. Acetophen and Ibroprufen both will both kill dogs. Many OTC products have been reformulated recently and now contain the Acetophen that didn't before.

There is a very limited number of problems I would ever suggest medicating a dog yourself. I will not say which ones unless there is a specific question. A laxative for a constipated dog is not one of them.