Dog Is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair

by Susan Bennett
(Florence, KY)

I have an approx 3 yr old Puggle I got from a shelter. The first year I had him, we had some allergy issues, but they cleared up. Now, it's never ending.

It's little bumps that fill up with pustules (vet said?), then they dry up and scab over and flake off... I have to scratch him nonstop, as he is always super itchy.

We walk every night, and I also have a cat, but have had him since before the dog. The vet has put my dog on steroids for a year or better and he gained a lot of weight, but never really got rid of he itchiness.

I had the vet take him off of the steroids and I put him on a non-allergy dog food diet in mid May. He cleared up week one really nice, and then went right back to where he was before.

His diet is salmon, duck, turkey, lamb. No beef, no chicken, very little turkey really, and snacks, but all non-allergy stuff. It was very expensive buying all new food and snacks, however I love this chubby guy and I want him to be happy.

I always used oatmeal shampoo and he really does seem to feel a little better right after the weekly bath, but it doesn't last long. Just that night or so, and then we're back where we were.

He loses hair, has some bald spots and everyone has so much advice, but none of it works. He has dropped some weight since I took him off the steroids.

His bowel movements did get sorta solid there for awhile too, but are back to a runny mess again. I feed him Blue Buffalo now, and all snacks are within the vet guidelines for the non-allergy stuff.

I still give him the allergy pills each morning (2 pink pills crushed up). Can't think of the name, but they are for humans...Vet said ok for his weight...I am unemployed and do not have the money I am spending now...This new food thing about broke me and it's not helping? What can I do next?

Sometimes I rub baby oil on him all over since he appears to be so dry? Can't tell if it helps or not?

I do use the oil on the back of his neck for fleas and he gets a Heartguard Heartworm pill each month. I've read about using fish oil, rubbing it on him, but that would take forever, as he's pretty big... also, something called Atopica? It sounded expensive?

Also, Calendula extract, salmon oil to rub on him, tea tree oil but diluted, bio-coat by Nickers, and Vit E?

I am desperate and out of money as I have invested it all this food that's not working. Right now, his bumps are almost gone, but he's still itchy and super dry... I think I may bath him tonight, as it's been a week and a half. I have a new shampoo from Petsmart, lavender something, but it's for itchy skin, dry skin dogs, etc...

Also, he's not so hungry since he's not taking the steroid. He was driving me nuts wanting food, and he even ate the cat poop a time or two when he got there before I did.

I have not seen one flea on him, but one time last year I saw one...actually it was on me, but I assume it was from him. So, no fleas, and he sleeps on my bed with me, we walk every night a few blocks and he lives for that part of the day.

He does get treats, but non allergy, which he really doesn't like, but it's better than nothing. I have a fenced yard, but he's not outside a lot.

His ears right now smell bad and they look dirty inside... I will clean them really well when I bath him. They are not usually this way?

I also never gave him much human food, but when I started this new food diet, I quit giving him anything human, however it has not made a big difference.

All the scarring on his belly from the scabs are gone now, but they were there at one time. I feel so sorry for him, as he doesn't understand and I feel like I'm really letting him down, but I don't know what else to do.

The whole point of the new non-allergy foods were so I could take him off of all the steroids and allergy medicines, and he's still taking the 2 pink pills (allergy pills) every morning, but I can't quit as he's still so itchy...What can I try next?

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Dog Is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair

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My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
The main symptom of your three year old Puggle is severe itchiness. It does not seem to be relieved by diet, steroids, or the 'allergy pills'.

When I see a dog that is scratching non-stop, I am always concerned about scabies. See our page on How to Treat Dog Mange. To diagnose this disease, your veterinarian must do a skin scraping, and in some cases they can be difficult to find.

Although, you mentioned when you first adopted him that he initially had some 'allergies', then it cleared up, and now it is non-stop. That can be common for inhaled allergies. That will be seasonal at first, in the spring or fall only, and then as the dog matures, will become year round. But I would advise that you have a skin scraping done FIRST to rule out Sarcoptic Mange.

In the meantime, since the 'allergy pills' do not seem to be helping, I would suggest that you stop giving them to him. And since he had steroids for over a year, I am worried about his liver (Steroids can affect the liver, and cause other problems).

You mentioned that he has loose stool, which is a "runny mess". This may be due to the steroids, intestinal parasites or a problem with his diet.

Here is what I would suggest:

1. Feed the canned Blue Buffalo, NO DRY DOG FOOD. Two meals daily.
2. Because of his loose stool, he has flushed out all of the beneficial bacteria in his GI tract. Therefore, you will need to add acidophilus (Open one capsule and add it to his food two times daily.) Once he has a stool that has more 'form', take in a sample to get it tested for parasites.
3. For treats, you can give him baby carrots, steamed green beans, pieces of cantaloupe, or pieces of apple. This would be in between his two meals daily. Fruits and vegetable are considered NON Allergenic, since they do not contain any proteins that would trigger an allergic reaction.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2

My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair PART 2
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
Here is the continuation of my answer:

4. Bathe him with the oatmeal shampoo, two times per week. Before each shampoo, massage him with coconut oil, into all of the dry areas. Let it soak in first, for 2-3 hours, or overnight. (Although, you may not want him on your bed if his skin is still greasy!)
5. Stop the Frontline or Advantage (whatever topical flea oil you are using) - it is too toxic for him. See our page on Natural Dog Flea Medicine for effective alternatives.
And the fleas may be from the cat, but if you keep your cat inside, then it would be more important than ever to control the fleas in your home, by following the suggestions on our page for Natural Flea Control.
6. Give him the Heartgard every 45 days, not every 30 days. You will still provide protection from heartworm, but he will be exposed to less 'drug'.

Now let's see how he will do after the next 2-3 weeks. If you are able to take him to a holistic veterinarian for the skin scraping, and fecal, they will also be able to guide you in more natural treatment plan, using homeopathic remedies, and NO MORE VACCINATIONS for him.

His immune system is too fragile at this point to handle ANY vaccinations. If he is due for Rabies, then PLEASE see a holistic veterinarian for an exemption form, to exempt him from a vaccination. In fact, at 3 years old, he has all of the vaccinations that he will need. Any more vaccination will make it even harder for him to become healthy.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

My Pugle has dry/itchy skin
by: Susan

First, money is huge right now, as I am unemployed. Where do you find coconut oil, grocery or health food store? Would baby oil do the same thing?

The cat does not have fleas. He goes outside rarely, & only in my fenced yard. Sam goes for a walk every night, but I have kept the flea stuff on him.

His poop is solid sometimes, like last night? And, when I say runny mess, I mean I'm picking it up quickly, as we are in someone's yard...If I could leave it longer, it would take a bit of form..It's soft, let's say?

He is super flaky, when I brush him and lots of dry skin/hair fly off.

Why no hard food?

The shampoo I just bought is by Top Paw, Itch Ease Medicated Shampoo w/Lidocaine, Hydrocotisone & Wheat Germ Oil. He does seem to feel better after a bath for a day or two... he had one last night and right now, no real bumps but lately his new place is inside of back legs, lots of small little bumps, not the pus filled ones? Now, the bumps seem to be gone again, and just scaly, itchy skin.

When we get to the end of a week, w/the bumps/etc, his hind end sorta has a smell to it... unpleasant odor... I assumed it was the pus/dried up? Most of his bumps are under fur on back, hind end, tail, top of hind legs.

Lately, two spots on neck and top of head and now a few inside of back legs, but more like a rash. He has had a few always on the belly area too, around his penis. Wouldn't two baths dry him out more or would the coconut oil balance that out?

The canned food I feed him is Nature's Recipe, different flavors, but like Lamb & Rice, etc. How much do I feed him? 1/2 can twice a day or 1 whole can 2 x a day? How long? This will get expensive fast...

How would he have gotten the sarcoptic mange? The only animals he is in touch with are one neighbor dog who just was put to sleep (very old) and occasionally touches noses w/ a couple of dogs another neighbor has down the street and a couple of other cats another neighbor has...Not a lot of contact.

I sure thought the new food would help, and that first week, it seemed like all my problems were over? The vet said it could take months for the food allergy things to clear up, even w/ the new food, but in 1 week, he was acting great.

When you pet him, his back didn't hunch up like it was itching him. That's what is so sad..You can't just pet him and rub him like a normal dog, as it acts as a vehicle to get him going and then he's all itchy and rubbing on everything.

He does better it seems, if you don't rub him or touch him, which I cannot do. He needs love too.

I'm willing to try anything I can afford, as this poor dog is miserable and his kennel (where he goes when I leave the house, as he pees on my furniture sometimes) floor will have lots of hair on it where he's been scratching/digging while I was gone. His nose is cool most of the time, but lately it's always sorta warm.. Thank you for your response. Susan

My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
You wrote,
"Most of his bumps are under fur on back, hind end, tail, top of hind legs. Lately, two spots on neck and top of head and now a few inside of back legs"

The location of his lesions do not sound like sarcoptic mange, and considering his lack of contact with other dogs, this lowers the likelihood even more. But the severity of his itching, like when you pet him, 'his back hunches up like it is itching him, and gets him all itchy and rubbing on everything', are very symptomatic of sarcoptic mange.

If you are unable to afford a vet visit and a skin scraping at this time, then we will just try to help give him some relief through diet, cleaning up the 'environment' of his skin, and improving his immune system.

Regarding coconut oil, it is available in grocery stores, and in health food stores. Online, it is sold at Target, and through Amazon.com. In fact the better prices are online. (Jarrow Coconut oil is under $10 for 16oz of organic. Virgin Coconut oil is also under $10 for 20 oz.) It usually comes in a 'tub' because it is actually a solid at room temperature.

Baby oil is NOT the same thing. It is composed of mineral oil. Mineral oil will not really absorb into the skin, and if taken internally will just pass through the GI tract and act as a laxative.

Coconut oil is highly digestible, composed of medium chain triglycerides, and is VERY healthy for the skin, hair coat and GI tract. Therefore, if he licked some of the coconut oil off his skin, and swallowed it, that would be very good for both his skin and hair coat and GI tract!

Since he has very dry skin, with lots of flaky skin, and dry skin and hair that easily fly off, he needs lots of moisture in his diet. Therefore, NO DRY DOG FOOD. And if you are able to afford adding some RAW meat to his diet (no raw pork or raw fish), that would be even better for his skin. Perhaps, one to two tsp of raw chicken, beef, lamb or turkey, to each meal.

The Top Paw shampoo with Lidocaine and Hydrocortisone would OF COURSE make him feel better for a day or two. The Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic, so his skin would be numb. The hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory. The more you suppress his symptoms, the worse he will 'bounce' back and show more symptoms. Scratching in new spots, etc. This is only a TEMPORARY fix, it is not curing him.

To BE CONTINUED ON PART TWO

My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair PART TWO
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
Here is the rest of my answer:

Using an oatmeal shampoo after a coconut oil massage, two times per week, will NOT dry out his skin. The shampoo will:
1. Clean his skin and kill surface bacteria, this is what is causing the pustules, pus, and scabs on his skin.
2. Coconut oil will moisturize from the outside.
3. Oatmeal is a natural soothing ingredient and not a detergent, so it will not dry out his skin.

FOOD - If you are feeding canned Nature's Recipe the amount you feed will depend on the calories in the food. If it is lamb, the calories will be different than if it is beef, or chicken or turkey.

You need to feed him according to the number of calories. If he weighs 15 lbs, feed about 300 calories/day or 150 calories in each meal two times daily

20 lbs, he will need about 400 calories per day. (200 calories in each meal two times daily.)

25 lbs, he needs 450 calories per day.

The calories may not be printed on the label, since the FDA does not require pet foods to list calories (it does require human food to list calories). Therefore, you may need to check on Nature's Recipe website or call the 800 number and ask them. Then you will be able to figure out HOW MUCH of a can to feed him.

You mentioned that when he was on the hypo allergenic food, he improved in one week. Usually if a dog has a food allergy, they must be off the offending food for 3-6 weeks, or a couple of months to show an improvement. If he improved that quickly, I doubt that he has a food allergy.

You also mentioned that you are unable to leave him in the house when you are gone, because he 'pees on the furniture'. Is he neutered? Is he marking his territory, or does he have increased thirst and increase in urination? If he has increased thirst and urination, it may be due to absorbing too much of the hydrocortisone from the shampoo, or it is due to the 'allergy' pills, or a residual effect from the oral cortisone that he was taking.

Lastly, it is more accurate to take his temperature with a thermometer than to judge a fever by feeling if his nose is cold or warm. A normal dog temperature is 101 degrees - 102 degrees Fahrenheit (yes, it is higher than a normal human temperature).

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

My dog is itchy/losing hair
by: Susan

I got the pill and the coconut oil last night, and began the treatment you outlined. I put the coconut oil on him and left it on over night.

This morning though, he is still digging and it seems now he is digging more at his tail and even his feet lower legs? Before he was always itchy on his back, mid back and down to his rear end, and his sides, all under the hair areas and the inside of his back legs...

Also, under his tail, right at his anus, but on the underside of his tail, he will drag his butt around on the floor and make that area super red. I made sure to get the oil on there too. I guess I would have thought putting that oil on him would have given him some relief fairly quickly?

He acts like nothing is different or changed? His skin feels hot too, but to be fair, generally when I feel him and he's hot, he has also been laying down on the couch sleeping. I know he sleeps hot, breaths heavy (the pug in him, I guess) and hard, but his nose is also warm, not cool.. I just want to get him some relief and it seems everything I do makes it worse?

He is losing hair still, whereas before his hair loss was where the bumps were at. He really doesn't have any bumps right now, just itchy and had a small rash inside his back legs, where there is no hair area.

His belly, sides, down his back, no bumps? But, he's just as itchy, if not more than before? His ears also have become a little dirty inside and smell funny. I tried to clean them out when I gave him a bath two days ago now. One is doing better, and the other one needs cleaned again. I have never had trouble with his ears, legs,neck, face, just the rear end area.

I did just put the flea stuff on him a few days before, June 29 and I used Frontline Plus which kills fleas, ticks, chewing lice... This is for dogs 45-88 lbs and he was approx 50 or below.

He's been 50 for some time, but I know he's lost a little weight since I took him off the steroids in May. Maybe this is too strong for him now? He also had a dose of Heartguard last week too. Both of these remedies he's had before, the Heartguard every month, year round, and the Frontline in the summer months. I'm at a total loss, but will try to find a holistic vet close to me. Is the skin scraping painful for them?

Thank you. I'm really depending on you to free my dog from all his misery. I just can't imagine how terrible his life is when he cannot even be petted without his skin crawling and him hunching his back cause it makes his skin crawl. He's such a friendly, good dog who is miserable.

Thanks again, Susan

My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
Fast work! You wrote: "I got the pill and the coconut oil last night and began the treatment".

I am not sure what pill you are referring to, unless it is the acidophilus capsules?

Also, just one application of coconut oil will not provide immediate relief. And you need to shampoo it off after it has soaked in to his skin.

I am anticipating that you will need to do the oil/oatmeal shampoo two times per week for the next 3-6 weeks, THEN you will start to see some improvement. And in the meantime, following all of the other suggestions for diet, canned food, with raw meat, fruit and vegetable treats. Some other supplements that I recommend to boost the immune system, and to help the skin are:

1. Immuplex from Standard Process. Add one capsule to his food two times daily.
2. Mega C powder--OrthoMolecular Specialties,
http://www.belfield.com/megac226.php, add 1/4 tsp to his food two times daily.
3. Omega 3 fish oil for dogs--add about 500mg to his food two times daily.

Stop the Frontline. Yes, it claims that it will kill fleas, but actually Advantage does a better job. But it is too toxic for him. See our page on Dog Flea Medicine.

Give him the Heartgard every 45 days, not every 30 days. You will still provide protection from heartworm, but he will be exposed to less 'drug'.

Please be patient. If he has been this itchy for TWO years, he will not be cured in a few days or weeks. If it seems that he is now getting worse, then you might want to somehow get him to a veterinarian for a skin scraping. It will take at least 2-3 months if he is diagnosed with sarcotic mange, for him to get him better.

Now let's see how he will do after the next 2-3 weeks. The oil and shampoos should slowly start to give him some relief. If you are able to take him to a holistic veterinarian for the skin scraping, and fecal, they will also be able to guide you in more natural treatment plan, using homeopathic remedies, and NO MORE VACCINATIONS for him.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Pugle w/itchy skin
by: Susan

Yes, by giving him the pill, I meant the Acidophilis pill you recommended.

After putting that coconut oil on him, I left it on overnight, he could not seem to stop itching...It really seemed to make things much, much worse and I did wash him the very next morning, as he was really, really itching and couldn't seem to stop it?

I have since taken him to a holistic vet, who has ruled out the mange issue, and we took a bacterial sample he's sending it away to see what type of infection he actually has. He's been on several antibiotics over the last couple of years, with no results?

So, we're waiting on those results, and he said the shampoo was fine for now, to feed him a mixture of human foods, meat, veggies, potatoes, etc w/a 1/2 of a Centram vitamin mixed in, continue w/the allergy medicine since it does help a little bit, and continue with the Acidolphis pills you recommended. He said to bathe him twice a week, no more coconut oil as he had a bad reaction to that stuff, no flea oil, no shots, etc.

I really liked this vet and feel like I can trust him. He was reasonable and so was the test fee, so I'm glad I went. Having just bought him all that non-allergenic food, and spending a ton of money on it, my cash flow has been a little lower lately, but this vet was very reasonable.

So, I've started to make his food myself, and he's eating it of course, as there isn't much this dog would not eat...He isn't better yet, but not worse either, so I guess we'll see how it goes.

The vet said this is one of the hardest things to figure out and takes time. So, I will try to remain patient. Thank you for your advice and response.

Susan Bennett

My Online Vet Response for Dog Itchy, has Allergies and Loss of Hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
Thank you for keeping us posted. I am glad your dog does not have mange, and that you have found a holistic vet to get your Puggle on the road to an improved immune system and healthier body!

Please continue to keep us posted.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Dog skin allergies
by: Susan

I wanted to tell you that I did go see a holistic vet, and my dog is finally cured!!

He did not think my dog had scabies, but had not ever received the correct antibiotic to cure the infection he had, and he was correct. We did take a scraping and had a culture grown, which they then tried different antibiotics to see which one cured it. It worked.

We got him on the right one, and I just finished giving him his last does. He is 100% back to my sweet, soft, not itching dog. The vet's other recommendation was to take him off of dog food entirely and to make my own. I have been doing that also, and he's not only lost quite a bit of weight, but he loves the food. It's a cup of meat, (beef, chicken, anything but pork primiarly), 2 large cooked potatoes, 2 cups of veggies, no onion, 1 boiled egg, and 1/2 a centrum vitamin. He's doing great, lost his weight, and he's super healthy now. I couldn't be happier and the culture thing only cost about $80.

After all the money I spent with those 2 other vets and all those steroids, I sure wish I had tried a holistic vet a long time before now. The expensive Blue Buffalo food never did a thing for my dog, and none of their treats either...I am going to continue to feed my dog this diet, as it works and he's happy and healthy now. I just throw the roast in a crock pot, cook the potatoes while I'm doing other things, thaw out the frozen veggies in a short time and boil a few eggs as needed. Actually cutting everything up takes the most time, but I'm adjusting and am happy to do it for my dog.

Thank you for your advice, so I had the right information to get with a holistic vet. I also now have a new vet, which I trust to take care of my dog, who is a family member to me. Thanks again for your advice.

Susan

My Online Vet Response for Dog is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Susan,
You are very welcome.

Thank you for sending us an update on your Puggle!

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Dog Itchy Skin,
- Dog Skin Rash,
- Dog Skin Allergies,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Hair Loss Section

sounds familiar!!! NEW
by: Carys

I live in the UK have a 3 yr old Shetlie whom over the past 6 months has shown basically the symptoms in the places that your dog showed.

Ive been to 3 vets now who put him on antibotics or steroids but they are obviously not working because it comes back. Me and my partner work full time yet money is very tight and vets just offereing short term therapy is not helping my poor pooch or our wallets!!

I desprately want him back to how he was before, they have not even took a skin scraping yet, which i wanted to suggest to them before, but I felt that they would think id be telling them how to do their job!!!

I will book an appointment tomorrow at my vet and ask for the scraping and see where that leads...any more advice i will be very grateful.

PS hes already on the 'special' food

Carys (5th November 2012)

My Online Vet Response for: Dog Is Itchy, Has Allergies and Loss of Hair NEW
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Carys,

November 5, 2012,

You asked for any other suggestions, and, I'm happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
Please click here to sign up and submit your question and photos. I'll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Your not alone NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi, my cocker spaniel has bad skin problems too. I have tried blue buffalo and vet food. It made her worse. She lost her hair on her neck and ears. I am now giving her dog food from Costco. It's the blue one with the husky on it. The food is made with salmon in it. It seems like it is working and around $30 instead of $80 at the vet. Good luck with your fur baby.

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