Dog with Hot Itchy Skin & Mood Change

by Marjie A.
(Pulaski, TN)

My dog Diesel is chewing his skin to the point of drawing blood. He is acting depressed, he is not eating well, but he never had a good appetite, but now, he will go a day or two without eating.

His skin is hot and if I pet or scratch him, he itches himself with his back legs. His back legs looks like he has a thyroid problem, harden skin and swollen like, when a dog gets the rolls and swollen skin at the base of tail and fur loss but its on his legs, worse on the back legs.

Skin is hot, spotty with bloody chew marks and swollen in many areas on his legs. He scratches his ears, which are red and hot. Areas around his month and tail are itchy and red.

He chews so much that he hurts himself and he smells a like dirty dog, which is getting worse. Also I see muscle loss in the hind end.

Over the past year, I have used Benadryl {75mg}, lots of different shampoos and creams for itchy skin, dry skin, antibacterial, anti-fungal and lots of different foods. I feel it may be depression, thyroid imbalance or some hormone imbalance.

I called vet clinics, one never called back, one was not holistic and the other is a little far away!

Here’s some background and info about the mood change…

Diesel is a 4.5yo neutered male German Shepherd. At 6 months old, he had reconstructed hip surgery (60% successful). He had always been on holistic, organic dry/can dog food and sometimes raw.

First 3 yrs, he traveled the country in a semi truck and trailer with me and a 2 yo cat that has been with me since her birth (Mom was killed, so I nursed and raised her).

Diesel had been a happy go lucky with people and other dogs. I let him explore whenever possible, he gets 2-3 walks aday, he was very well mannered and trained by me, but territorial while in the truck which was praised and got between me and other people, until he felt comfortable with them.

About 1.5 yrs ago, we started going to Connecticut to see my parents. With my Mom in need of help, I took time off from driving and spent a lot of time up there.

Diesel got attached to Mom and spent a lot of time with her. Diesel also got treats from Mom and Dad that I did not like but didn’t fuss too much about. I did notice that he was not as happy go lucky, was not as happy to go trucking with me.

Diesel did hear yelling and fussing between myself and my Dad and between Mom and Dad, which I felt Diesel never had to deal with that before.

But one night, while getting dropped off at my truck and getting stuff out of the car and into my truck, I called for Diesel. He would not come to me. He sat in the backseat, and gave me a look… one that I never saw before. When I went to get him out…he growled at me.

My reaction was saying “Diesel” in a high voice. I was heartbroken. Never, ever had he done that before. I got hold of his leash, asked him to come, in a shaken voice, with a little tug and he came out. I didn’t react anymore to the situation.

After my father left, we played and ran around in the parking lot, then got in the truck with no other incidence and hit the road. My father and I did continue to argue after that, but I kept it low key, when we were there.

7 months ago, Mom, Diesel, my cat and I drove down to FL for my Mom to stay for the winter and for me to move back home. Diesel started itching and chewing. I thought it was the sandy area that is full of fungus, sand fleas and other pests.

The 2 other dogs were having problems also. Also a lot of tension there from other family members and alcohol problems! Mom finally went back home last month and I moved to TN.

My info for Diesel was lengthy, but I knew something was going on long before now. I feel that the itching and chewing is due to something emotional or hormonal, not just environmental.

I am not able to send pics due to this new program I am using and not yet familiar with. BUT I can send pics from my phone.

Thank you for this service.
Sincerely,

Marjie