My 9 mo. old Labradoodle won't stop Itching/Sucking/Scratching...

[grayhawk2003]

I have a 9 mo. old male labradoodle that keeps us up at night scratching his body and licking and sucking on his legs, shaking his ears, etc. I've given him anti-histamine, brewer's yeast, fish oil, frontline, heartguard, etc. He has no open wounds, but did at one point from all the itching. It started when he had some fleas, but they've since been treated and are gone. I medicated the spots under his arms and near his testicles with hydrogen peroxide and then tea tree oil and anti-biotic ointment, and also gave him anti-biotics (amoxicillin) and sulfate 30, and they cleared up. yet, even though the wounds are gone, he continues to itch alot, flea-free, and is up through the night doing so. He sleeps in our room, so this is annoying and a problem. I tried a cortisone shot and it didn't help. Any suggestions? He's not been neutered and he's a 9 month old labradoodle. His breeder said he's not had any similar problems with any of his dogs in the past and a friend has his sister from a litter that was with the same dad, differenty female, and no problems. HELP??

[tiffers]

...have you gone to a vet? It sounds like a food allergy.

[dlaura]

I have merged your two threads as they were on same subject. We find it easier for all if one subject is kept to one thread. Hope you find some answers to your labradoodle's problem.

[lizs]

He may not be getting enough oil and nutrients in his diet. What kind of food do you give him?

[grayhawk2003]

I feed him Nutro Max Smart System large breed puppy food. but each day I give him fatty acid supplements and brewer's yeast. I also have been giving him an antihistamine each day and night.

Any food suggestions?

Or anyone ever hear of dogs getting mites under their skin? I give him heartguard each month and frontline plus. Is there anything else I should try?

[grayhawk2003]

and i havent' gone to the vet recently, b/c last time they just gave him a cortisone shot and it didn't really help. i'm trying to stay away from pumping his system with cortisone, and go the more natural approach. i heart too much steroids can not allow them to build their own immune system and also can give them cushing's disease.? Any thoughts?

[lizs]

I feed my guy Marks Formula. It's an all natural food that you can't buy in stores. I also give him a organic supplements that I mix in his food. If you would like to know these websites, just let me know and I'll get them for you. I don't give my dog any frontline or anything like that. I use diatamacious earth, food grade. It's something that is natural and kills all kinds of bugs. You just sprinkle it on him. I have never found a tick or a flea on him. Funny, but there was one on me.

[grayhawk2003]

Yes please, that would be great!!!!
Thanks so much!

[lizs]

Ok, so I misfired on the food. It's Marin's K9 Formula. I don't think I post all the sites. Send me an email and I'll send you the links.

[lizs]

I just realized that my email was wrong so I fixed it. You can email me at liz@myitv4u.com

[tiffers]

Heartgard and Frontline won't do anything for allergies.

And if I were you, I wouldn't "sprinkle" anything on him until his skin has cleared up. Once he's healed, then you can move on to other types of options.

But, being a poodle mix...you're looking at some allergy issues more than likely. Not mites. Unless of course, it's demodex mange. But, that won't itch until there's an infection...in which case, you'll need to see a vet.

[grayhawk2003]

Thanks Tiffany.
His iritations have all healed. No open wounds or bites at this point. Just itching and biting mostly at his legs and hind end.

[tiffers]

Thanks Tiffany.
His iritations have all healed. No open wounds or bites at this point. Just itching and biting mostly at his legs and hind end.

Do you know what a "hot spot" is? Perhaps he's dealing with those.

[grayhawk2003]

yep, my JRT had one of those and it didn't look like that. his rash looks like lots of bites that he'd itched alot. he now has no open sores or rashes, but still itches.

[lovecoton's]

Hi,
I was extatic to hear of someone else knowing about the Earth!!!! Thankyou for your posting. We have used it for about 4 yrs now and is wonderful. We have a few people now knowing the natural benefits of the Earth!!! I do hate chemicals.

Did you think perhaps that your companion might be sensitive to the front line? Just a thought.

Also, we have clients that have microbs in any one of the 3 layers of the skin. You cannot see anything that is in the second &/or third layer. If you were to use a product such as the Canine Relief it does go to all layers of the skin extremely quickly and relieves itching, soothes and also it kills the microbs.

The earth will do anything surface but not under the top layer.

One thing I might add is watch where your earth is from if you get some. The Texas source is good, they are sharper diatoms and thus the earth is better, if the earth comes from the middle of the continent then the diatoms tend to be more rounded thus the earth is less effective.

Do take care and think about the Canine Relief. It should relieve the itch and sooth nicely.

Once again if it is allergies have you thought of feeding raw?? We know of canines that have huge allergies do very well on the raw, no preservatives or chemicals as well.... too good!!!! Do take care ;) Peggy

[lizs]

I agree Peggy, I hate chemicals as well. My guy is now 2 1/2yrs old, but when he was old enough to have protection, I believe I used frontline and boy oh boy did he have a reaction to it. He's nuts in his own right, chocolate lab and 105lbs of muscle. I don't need him running around any more than he already does. Thank God for DE!!

I definitely take better care of my dog than I do myself. I try to keep anything that could be toxic away from him. Give him high quality food and supplements that are not sold in stores. He's a good boy and deserves the best I can give him!

[grayhawk2003]

Liz,
What did you use then besides Frontline?
We live in humid hot environment by a river, so fleas and mosquitos are very prevalent.
Megan