itching... help!

madhatz · 03-20-2008, 11:40 PM

I know there's threads about constant itching, but I have somewhat of a different situation.

I have a Shih Tzu mix and he's a year and 5 months old. Lately he's been scratching himself like crazy. I checked for fleas-- nothing. I've looked at his skin to see if there's irritation and nothing. His skin looks completely normal. He's all of a sudden developed those ticklish spots (when they shake their leg like they're in heaven) and he has like 5 of them. I also noticed that he scratches those same spots.

It drives me nuts cause then he starts licking himself and his fur starts matting.

I am also strapped for cash, so I'm trying to find out if there's any way that I can help without spending hundreds.

What steps can I take to help him? I'm willing to take him to the vet if I can't find a way to relieve him myself.

I've been using this liquid that goes in his food (can't find the product online) by Nutri-Vet that helps shedding and itching, but I have a feeling that it won't work. Maybe I'm just impatient.

Any help is appreciated!

helen01 · 03-20-2008, 11:48 PM

hi, i'm new to this site,just reading through all the post's and came across your's, my parents used to breed shih-tzu's and what was common was most of them at one stage got the itch's, it was put down to dermatitis, at least that's what the vet told them. so maybe get some cream that is good for dermatitis and rub it where it's itching, i know that can be hard to do, shih-tzu's have lots of hair. good luck and i hope he stops scratching soon.

TomN · 03-21-2008, 12:07 AM

The scratching could be caused by any number of things from dry skin to fleas, to allergies, bug bites and hot spots etc.. etc.. etc.. And even too frequent bathing which dries the skin out.

Rate his/her coat/skin condition. A smooth shiny coat should be obvious. Is there dander or flaking? Lack luster coat conditions are usually a sign that there is something lacking in their diet. Supplementing with Omega fatty acids such as Fish Oil or with a quality vegetable oil like Olive oil daily for a few weeks usually does the trick.

If the coat seems fine then there may be some other underlying issue going on. If the scratching gets so bad that he starts to self mutilate himself then I would contact a vet. I have an allergy dog that I have given Benadryl tabs (antihistamine) with good success to relieve the itching that goes along with allergies. The vet actually prescribed them so they are safe in correct dosages and can be inexpensively purchased over the counter. The normal dosage is 1 mg per pound of bodyweight every 12 hours. example (10 lb dog would get 10mg). You may have to break the pills in half or possibly find a children's package for smaller tabs.

A hydrocortisone spray may also give temporary relief.

squirt1968 · 03-21-2008, 01:53 AM

I have a 2 yr old (well almost 2) shih tzu who itches and her coat is coarse and her tail is dry and has become a thin straggely thing. I have had her on many different good foods to no avail. She is now on NB venison and sweet potato and takes medication, atopica, for allergies. KIt seems to have helped some but improvement has stopped it seems. The shedding started over a year ago, she does not seem to be shedding as bad but the tail still looks BAD. Been on the med for couple mos now. I am at a loss as to what to do also.

poodleholic · 03-21-2008, 03:01 AM

I fostered a little Shih Tzu who is now with me permanently. He scratched constantly, and was chewing his rear, staining the coat. Poor thing was miserable.

I bathed him with EQyss Micro-Tek Shampoo (fabulous product that helps with skin problems including, but not limited to, yeast overgrowth, bacterial infections, ring worm, and, it is most effective in stopping the itch), followed up with Micro-Tek Spray, when necessary. In lieu of the EQyss, you can rinse the dog with 50/50 water and Listerine (yes, the mouthwash). The latter can really clear up hot spots, too. 60/40 distilled white vinegar and water as a rinse is effective as well.

Switched his food to NB Fish and Potato.

Gave him a probiotic (pill), Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, and a teaspoon twice a day of plain, live culture yogurt.

Distilled water with apple cider vinegar added.

Little Luc is doing well these days - no more itchies, and his ear infection is gone (used the formula with boric acid powder, gentian violet, and witch hazel), so we're on weekly ear cleansing with 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% witch hazel.