Itchy question!

[GreatDaneFan]

I have a situation with one of my dogs that has me befuddled!

My pit/hound mix has been biting her back right leg. I have looked at the area, it is not red nor is the skin broken. I know she does not have fleas, so I thought perhaps an allergy. I bathed her in a good quality oatmeal shampoo, but she is still itching!

I thought I might try a hydrocortisone topical from the vet. Any input or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[pung-yo]

are you sure it's from being itchy? If she is biting also, she could have some arthritis in that leg. If the skin is not damaged and there is no rash, I would tend to think some kind of pain. Just a thought.

[GreatDaneFan]

That is a good thought. Maybe she does have pain there. Oh wouldn't is be so much easier if they could talk?!

[Dignity]

Sometimes bathing (no matter the shampoo) makes them itchy - you wash their natural oils out. How often do you bathe?

It also could be a mite on your dog or it could be airborne allergens. Denali has allergies that cause her to bite the fur off all her legs.

[Luvmyjob]

The pain idea is a good thought, also, maybe a nervous reaction to something new, or chewing from boredom. Just some ideas to throw in.

[GreatDaneFan]

Originally Posted by Dignity

Sometimes bathing (no matter the shampoo) makes them itchy - you wash their natural oils out. How often do you bathe?

It also could be a mite on your dog or it could be airborne allergens. Denali has allergies that cause her to bite the fur off all her legs.

I bathe her about once every two weeks. She is an inside dog, and really does not get very dirty- unless it rains! We are experiecing a major drought so I bathe her less.

What do you do for Denali's allergies? Topical and/or internal meds?

[GreatDaneFan]

Originally Posted by Luvmyjob

The pain idea is a good thought, also, maybe a nervous reaction to something new, or chewing from boredom. Just some ideas to throw in.

If it persists, I will ask my husband to take her to the vet for an x-ray- she's due for her shots anyway. I am getting ready to go out of town for two weeks, I was hoping to get this problem resolved before I go.

When she does chew, I have witnessed it, she will be laying or sitting on the floor (or bed, more likely ) and then jumps like something bit her and then chews the offending area.

I know that there have not been any chemicals sprayed in the backyard, I have not used any new cleaning products in the house, etc. No new "stressors" I can think of, either. I do appreciate everybody's input. My dogs are like my kids, and I have a tendancy to worry excessively