I have a 3 mo old heeler mix. He's constantly itching himself all over. We took him to the vet and he has no mites or fleas. Could it be his food? He's currently on nutro ultra puppy. Should we switch him to a lamb and rice or duck and sweet potato formula? How much of that would I feed him of one of those since he's a pup?
Itchy puppy
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I would definitely try a different food. You could start with the duck and potato and see how he does on that. If his scratching is better but he's having loose stool (sometimes duck with do that... sometimes there's no problem at all) try a fish and sweet potato food. Natural Balance makes both these allergy formulas.
As for how much to feed him, start with the same amount you're feeding now. You might find you need to feed less of a higher quality food. so you can then adjust up or down accordingly.
As for how much to feed him, start with the same amount you're feeding now. You might find you need to feed less of a higher quality food. so you can then adjust up or down accordingly.
I had the same problem with my 10 week old pup. She itches didnt find any mites or fleas but scabes mites are hard to find our vet is treating her for it with Revolution low dose of anti biotics and antihestimine to help the itching and so far she is doing great! Scabes will be severe itching arounf ears and ear tips elbows and back of hind legs....look for that and ask your vet if it is whats the worst that can happen? If it is and they treat for it. At least you can help ease the constant itching a little bit. It could be food allergies too like some of the other posters said...I feed my dog natural balance and the pup will start on it soon. It is one of the best in the market. (my pups mouth is too small for the pellets she can only eat 2 to 3 and very slowly so I have to wait till she is bigger to regimentally give her that.
I can only tell you about my experience. So far it has been working for me. Good Luck with your pup.
I can only tell you about my experience. So far it has been working for me. Good Luck with your pup.
We picked up some of the natural balance potato and duck formula to try for Jax.
How should we begin switching his new food? The natural balance suggest about 2 cups per day for a puppy his weight (10-20 lbs).... Right now he's getting 1 cup a day of the nutro ultra.
How should I work this? I know you're supposed to start with making 25% of each meal his new food, and slowly work up, but how do I do that and adjust the new amount of food at the same time?
How should we begin switching his new food? The natural balance suggest about 2 cups per day for a puppy his weight (10-20 lbs).... Right now he's getting 1 cup a day of the nutro ultra.
How should I work this? I know you're supposed to start with making 25% of each meal his new food, and slowly work up, but how do I do that and adjust the new amount of food at the same time?
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You want to start the transition slowly. For example...you're feeding your puppy 1 cup of food, you want to feed 3/4 cup of the old food and 1/4 cup of the new.. you gradually increase the new and decrease the old so you're still feeding a total of 2 cups. It should take you about 4-5 days maybe longer to complete the transition to the new food.
You want to take it slowly so that at the first sign of tummy trouble you can back off and take it even slower.
The amount on the bag is a suggestion. You can judge whether you need to increase or decrease the amount by whether or not your pup is looking too thin or too pudgy.
How many times a day do you feed Jax?
You want to take it slowly so that at the first sign of tummy trouble you can back off and take it even slower.
The amount on the bag is a suggestion. You can judge whether you need to increase or decrease the amount by whether or not your pup is looking too thin or too pudgy.
How many times a day do you feed Jax?
I'm honestly not sure how to know if he looks too thin or too pudgy.
Right now, since he's around three months, we're feeding him 3 times a day.
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Ok, can you see his ribs? If you can, he's probably too thin.
3 times a day is good for a 3 month old.
ETA: sometimes with a puppy it's hard to determine if he's too thin since they are ever changing creatures. ...
Nah, you can't see his ribsOk, can you see his ribs? If you can, he's probably too thin.
3 times a day is good for a 3 month old.
So basically just start slow, and work up to 100% of the new food and full 2 cups?
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My vet said that there is no such thing as the puppy itchys but I wonder. My breeder says that out of every litter, one of two get them and they are gone before they are 1.
Both of my puppies had the itchys and new food, different shampoo etc didn't help. It's good you are trying a different food but I am hoping that this will go away on its own like my pups did. I can't remember when exactly but maybe around 6 months.
Good luck!
Both of my puppies had the itchys and new food, different shampoo etc didn't help. It's good you are trying a different food but I am hoping that this will go away on its own like my pups did. I can't remember when exactly but maybe around 6 months.
Good luck!
I wouldn't be concerned if it wasn't the fact that he's itching so much in certain spots that he's losing hair.
The vet prescribed some antihistamines to try out, and he's been on them since saturday, and it hasn't helped at all, he's itching just as bad as he has been before.
We put in another call to the vet to let him know about that.
I had the same problem with my pup. She itched certain spots and was going bald in those spots and breaking skin and wouldnt let it heal. We took her to the vet and though she couldnt find the mites and didnt find Demodex she prescribed "revolution" for Scabes (sarcoptic Mange) She was also given antibiotics and antihestimine and she has been on it for exactly a week today and is doing GRRRREAT! She hardly itches anymore her fur is growing back and we take all the precautions with out other dog and ourselves because Scabes is contagious to humand and animals. I vacuum and steam vac every 3 days and wash her bedding and toys at the same time with hypoallergenic baby detergent. I couldnt have said for sure this was the solution last week this time but I am believer that it is now. The vet sadi we should see improvement in as soon as a week but we saw it almost in 3 days!
I cant say this could help your pup but it might be the way to go and maybe you should ask your vet what else you could give your pup along with an antihestimine...I mean antihestimine eases the symptom but isnt the solution. Pups arent supposed itch till they rip skin or bald in spots! This is not normal for any pup.
My pup was itching around his ears base and tips elbows back of legs and had bright pink skin under his white coat which was shedding in chunks (shedding is normal in pups but not chunks of fur). The brught pink irritated skin and her constant itching was a major concern for us and we are glad to have found a solution. I would also like to add that although Scabes is contagious to humans the kited do not live long on our bodies so washing hands and keeping home clean will do the job just fine. If you want to go further(we have not) there are some home remedies also listed.
http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com/home-remedies-for-scabies.html
Godd luck.
I cant say this could help your pup but it might be the way to go and maybe you should ask your vet what else you could give your pup along with an antihestimine...I mean antihestimine eases the symptom but isnt the solution. Pups arent supposed itch till they rip skin or bald in spots! This is not normal for any pup.
My pup was itching around his ears base and tips elbows back of legs and had bright pink skin under his white coat which was shedding in chunks (shedding is normal in pups but not chunks of fur). The brught pink irritated skin and her constant itching was a major concern for us and we are glad to have found a solution. I would also like to add that although Scabes is contagious to humans the kited do not live long on our bodies so washing hands and keeping home clean will do the job just fine. If you want to go further(we have not) there are some home remedies also listed.
http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com/home-remedies-for-scabies.html
Godd luck.
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What did the vet say?
Quick update:
Talked to the vet today, and he's having us up his antihistamine dosage for the next couple days.
He said if the dog doesn't respond and continues to itch, that we'll go ahead and treat the dog for scabes as a precautionary action.
Talked to the vet today, and he's having us up his antihistamine dosage for the next couple days.
He said if the dog doesn't respond and continues to itch, that we'll go ahead and treat the dog for scabes as a precautionary action.
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