The Itchy And Scratchy Show

[Tracey]

Three weeks ago Reggie and foster boy Rufus made the trek from Southern Florida to the polar express, aka Connecticut. Rufus hasn't had any troubles. When Reggie first got here he had some dandruff. I've been giving him two fish oil capsules daily and the dandruff's gone. But in the past week Reggie has gotten very itchy. I've seen him chewing his sides and scratching his sides and chin more and more often. His coat and skin look good, though. I know it could be an allergy or something like that, but I'd like to see if it's something simpler, like just our cold, dry air, first. Any suggestions of what I can give him besides the fish oil?

[Sighthounds4me]

It is very possible that it's the dry air. Heated air (aka use of a furnace) is notorious for drying the air, and thus, the skin.

 

You can try using a humidifyer. That helps around here. You can also try a topical spray. It won't solve the problem, but will act like a lotion on human skin, and moisturize, reducing the itch. I like Quicker Slicker, by Nature's Specialties. http://www.naturesspecialtiesmfg.com/ It's tough to find, but VERY worth it! I use many products by this company, and have never been disappointed!

 

You can also look into a more comprehensive skin/coat supplement. We use Hair of the Dog (www.docsblend.com). This stuff is amazing! The difference it has made for our Greyhounds is fantastic!

 

Hope this helps!

[Batmom]

Assume he's been de-flea-ed and had a bath since then to remove any flea dirt? Is he shedding to any degree?

 

It can take fish oil several weeks to make a difference, so don't give up too soon on that. If he was eating track diet before he came to you and primarily kibble now, could be the lower fat content combined with some shedding that is making him itchy.

 

My angel Batman was allergic to fish oil but that showed up primarily in red itchy feet.

[greytpups]

We notice that Brooke is itchy all of the time too, although it lessened after we gave her a bath with some medicated shampoo from the vet. Our house is very moist though and she ate kibble at her foster home. Ben doesn't scratch so I'm assuming it is not fleas. I took a fuzzbuster to her and only found some dandruff. She's not shedding at all. When you find something that helps, I'd be interested in knowing what you did to see if it helps Brooke.

 

thanks

[Guest PawsDeDeux]

For almost 8 years I have used, and recommended, brewer's yeast tablets to my

greyhounds and fosters. It's natural, anti-itch, lessens scratching a lot, and

is a flea deterrent. A couple of dollars buys you a big ole bottle, and the dogs

think they taste like a treat. Soft, shiney dogs who don't scratch at themselves

here. Of course we keep them flea free with Frontline, but the real comfort for

them comes from the brewer's yeast.

[Guest mcsheltie]

Could you have picked up fleas on your trip?

[Guest MomoftheFuzzy]

Tracey, I used to put olive oil in Gino's food and that helped immensely with his dry skin/dandruff. Hey, his name was Gino; he was "Italian," so olive oil seemed natural. You can also try egg in his food. Or peanut butter. Any sort of protein with oils. Good luck! I bet it's also the northeastern winter and indoor heating -- I, myself, get affected by it.

[Tracey]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may try all of them. Does anyone know where I can get the brewers yeast tablets, what kind of store, or a place to order them online?

 

Both Reggie and Rufus were bathed with a tick shampoo after they got here. It's so cold I know they couldn't be picking up anything here. Besides, with four dogs and only one itching I know it can't be fleas or anything like that.

 

As for the fish oil, I just plan on everyone getting it all winter anyway, so I'm not going to stop giving it. Just trying to think of things to do in addition to. And Reggie is shedding minimally, which is to say that the other three don't seem to be shedding at all while Reggie is losing just a few hairs here and there.

[Guest PawsDeDeux]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may try all of them. Does anyone know where I can get the brewers yeast tablets, what kind of store, or a place to order them online?

 

I've found them online, at Wally World and at least 2 of the 3 larger chain pet supply stores.

Good luck, hope it helps

[Tracey]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may try all of them. Does anyone know where I can get the brewers yeast tablets, what kind of store, or a place to order them online?

 

I've found them online, at Wally World and at least 2 of the 3 larger chain pet supply stores.

Good luck, hope it helps

 

I found 1000 at entirelypets.com for $8.09 (after a 10% coupon I found) plus $4.95 shipping. Is that a good deal?

[Guest Energy11]

I think all of this has to do with the cold weather and heat in the house. Curfew is blowing his coat (*on thyroid meds already), but, boy, when I took off his coat this a.m., HAIR CITY! He gets supplements and sees Dr. Karen on Tues., for Thyroid profiles, but, I think it is the weather. I like "The Furminator" supplement, which I get on Amazon.com. Good Luck!

[Guest PawsDeDeux]

I found 1000 at entirelypets.com for $8.09 (after a 10% coupon I found) plus $4.95 shipping. Is that a good deal?

 

There's a mega tab that is enough of a dose with just one. If those 1,000 are the smaller ones

that you have to give one per 10# then there's better deals out there. Truly, Walmarts bottle of

smaller ones is $2.48 (my apologies for quoting retail information)

 

You are welcome to PM me if you'd like, Tracey!

Edited January 3, 2010 by PawsDeDeux

[cleptogrey]

been there, it's really frustrating!!!! it takes a while(at least 6 weeks) for anything to start working including the food you are feeding them. i tried olive oil, safflower oil(cold pressed),bacon fat, nupro suppliment, sardines, a variety of foods when i first got my late gal emily who had dandurff to beat the band. finally finding a food w/ at least 24% protien and a good fat content and cold pressed salmon oil we had a good skin and coat. every time she had a bath, even w/ oatmeal shampoo and conditioner(and that was maybe 2xs a year) her skin looked awful, but it did recover. can't go wrong w/ old fasioned brewer's yeast. i get it at the vitamin shoppe.

 

be patient and watch out, that greyhound skin is like tissue paper.

[Tracey]

I found 1000 at entirelypets.com for $8.09 (after a 10% coupon I found) plus $4.95 shipping. Is that a good deal?

 

There's a mega tab that is enough of a dose with just one. If those 1,000 are the smaller ones

that you have to give one per 10# then there's better deals out there. Truly, Walmarts bottle of

smaller ones is $2.48 (my apologies for quoting retail information)

 

You are welcome to PM me if you'd like, Tracey!

 

Ok, I'll try the ones at Wally world. Last question; are these in their pet section or the human supplement area? Thanks!

[Guest PawsDeDeux]

In the pet section, a white bottle with blue label.

 

Usually right beside the same company's adult daily vitamin supplement which I also use.

[45MPHK9]

It is very possible that it's the dry air. Heated air (aka use of a furnace) is notorious for drying the air, and thus, the skin.

 

You can try using a humidifyer. That helps around here. You can also try a topical spray. It won't solve the problem, but will act like a lotion on human skin, and moisturize, reducing the itch. I like Quicker Slicker, by Nature's Specialties. http://www.naturesspecialtiesmfg.com/ It's tough to find, but VERY worth it! I use many products by this company, and have never been disappointed!

 

You can also look into a more comprehensive skin/coat supplement. We use Hair of the Dog (www.docsblend.com). This stuff is amazing! The difference it has made for our Greyhounds is fantastic!

 

Hope this helps!

 

Hair of the Dog is fantastic for dry itchy skin. We love this product.