Need Help for Endless Scratching/Chewing/Licking

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Jul 19, 2005 7:32 am

Yi, yi, yi!

I've had enough! Our Norwegian Elkhound, Nikki, started licking her paws and scratching/chewing herself about a month ago and some of the places turned into hotspots and she is STILL chewing/scratching/licking.

Need more suggestions to try before I haul her off to U of I to get all of us some relief! Here are the things we've tried so far.

Applied flea medicine.
Changed diet to Iams.
Confined (still) to house in air conditioning as she gets horribly hot in this weather.
Local vet visit and given antibiotic and steriods.
Constantly drawing her attention to something else (I think this is more for us than her).

Another vet visit this last Saturday and more antibiotic and steriods.

The vet said we could try Benadryl after she's finished with the steriods.

None of these things have helped although the hotspots have now healed. She is up to date on all shots/heartworm.

Can you HELP me help her? Thanks guys!

Doris_J · Post by **Doris_J** » Jul 19, 2005 8:07 am

Peg, I've had the same problem year after year with one of my guys, and Benedryl did help. You just have to be careful about the dosage (my dog is small). If the vet told you how much you can give her, I'd try the Benedryl.

janet · Post by **janet** » Jul 19, 2005 11:02 am

Peg, I thought for SURE this was going to be about your Sheltie! Mine used to lick her front feet (always crossed at the ankles like a proper lady) to distraction. Benadryl got rid of whatever the physical problem was in short order, but the licking had become a habit in itself. That's when distraction and more exercise (frisbee in her case) worked wonders. I'd definitely try the Benadryl, but watch out for the habit factor.

I hope one of our groomers will check in and offer some skin/coat ideas for you, too. Good luck to both you and Nikki.

outtahand · Post by **outtahand** » Jul 19, 2005 2:04 pm

well, it sounds like a food allergy to me...
I work with dogs, and we see food allergies all the time-
I think lots of vets are starting to come around to the idea
of feeding raw foods, to solve allergy problems.
I have to run to work, but here is a link to a distributor for raw food,
also do a google for BARF ,
it stands for bones and raw food or
biologically appropriate raw food
you can find some info there,
there are also forums that discuss nothing but raw foods for dogs

http://naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1305

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Jul 19, 2005 4:51 pm

One of my Boxers does that all the time. Only on one foot. She will chew it raw, she does not have problem with hot spots from heat etc. I have taken her to the vet numerous times and the only thing they can figure out is it is nerves. I do notice when the other two are playing and leaving her out,or she gets in trouble for something she will go off alone and chew her foot.
I have to go love on her and make her stop and get her attention on something else. I could give her medicine for her nerves, but I don't want a dopped up dog. I can only imagine what a dog on prozac or valium or something like that would be like

Ginger

patsue53 · Post by **patsue53** » Jul 19, 2005 6:24 pm

My poodle used to do the foot chewing thing. It turned out he was allergic to GRASS!! Steroids did help him immensly. Sorry I don't have any other advice.

Squash Blossom · Post by **Squash Blossom** » Jul 19, 2005 6:46 pm

I was going to suggest food or grass/weeds/dew allergies. My Jimbo has a time every Spring when lawn grasses and weeds emerge but later, when the summertime heat has killed most of the weeds, he'll be fine.

I've tried just about everything for Bo and find it helps or seems to help to pop him in a shallow warm bath after his afternoon walks during "allergy season" and gently wash his feet and legs with either Nova Pearls shampoo or a good oatmeal shampoo. I really like Nova Pearls, the formula contains coal tar and is very much like Tegrin or Head & Shoulders human shampoo. It lathers easily, rinses clean, and does give some instant relief. Of course pampering a Pug's feet every afternoon is a lot easier than a Norwegian Elkhound!!

My sister used to have a Beagle who was so allergic to dew that they eventually had to have her euthanized. For at least 3-4 summers Rebel would be in such intense pain with her feet and legs and my sister and brother-in-law took her to several veterinarians and then out of state to a specialist, but the older Rebel got, the most stubborn the problem became and eventually nothing helped.

I honestly think we've seen more discussions about seasonal/food allergies causing scratching/itching problems at PugVillage this summer than I can ever remember and, to me at least, this summer's weather has been unusually hot and humid.

Good luck! I do hope Nikki can get some serious relief. It's tough to know your companion is suffering and you can't seem to find relief for their discomfort.

Ann

jmboyer · Post by **jmboyer** » Jul 19, 2005 8:27 pm

Peg, I feel for you because my Chelsea has the same problem. Here is the link to an excellent article that indicates the six main causes for canine dermatitis:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/itch.html

According to the author of the article, T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM, the six main reasons for the itch-scratch-bite-lick syndrome in dogs are: Environmental, Nutritional, Parasitic, Allergic, Neurogenic, and Infectious. Dr. Dunn gives a full explanation of each, with photos (some difficult to look at) showing the various conditions, and offers treatment possibilities. It is a very good, informational article that I hope will help both your Nikki and my Chelsea.

outtahand · Post by **outtahand** » Jul 19, 2005 8:31 pm

my folks had a dog that the vet told them was allergic to dew...
with dew being only water, though, it turned out the dog was
allergic to the bermuda grass the dew condensed onto...

I would read up on food allergies, though- they can come on
suddenly, and are pretty common, and easy to fix...
you'll have to try a different food than Iams and such,
some of my clients are feeding meats such as fish, duck,
and rabbit, they mix them with potato, this will be a food
your dog hasnt eaten before, so you can see if theres a
decline in the allergic reaction.
these are foods commercially prepared, you can get them
thru a vet. Some vets are more progressive than others,
some want to give a dog steroids, which isnt good in the
long term.
Ask around in your area to find a vet that has a good
reputation for diagnosing allergies.

heres some links about food allergies...

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/foodallergy.html
http://www.cah.com/dr_library/fooddogs.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... ourceID=69
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/show ... cfm?id=113

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Jul 19, 2005 8:36 pm

I agree with Jim on the natural diet. I've personally seen a number of dogs with skin allergies, cronic ear infections, etc be cured going to BARF diet. Most of the skin problems are grain related. The VAST majority of commercial dog food is grain based. When a dog concentrates on one particular spot, often a foot or wrist, that's often a sign of boredome or OCD. Get a kong toy from Pass Pet, etc and put some peanutbutter inside of it. That will keep the dog from getting bored.