Dog won't stop scratching, looking for a homeopathic remedy.?

Question

I have a bichon frise, which I have recently been told have a tendency to have allergies and skin problems. Well he scratches himself so much that he has basically caused horrible cuts, open wounds, and infections. I have had to go to the vet numerous times so they can shave the area and give him antibiotics to clear it up. Then he will be good for a time and it will start again.

I have tried teaching him that scratching is bad, and he is smart enough now to stop scratching when I come in the room.

I tried changing the food he eats and even bought allergy prone food, but that didn't stop him.

Started using the oatmeal shampoo that is for dry itchy skin from Dr. Foster & Smith, still won't stop scratching.

I bought the glue on plastic nail covers that slip over his nails, within 3 days he figured out he could chew them off or just l**k them to death until the nail glue dissolved.

The vet gave me benadryl & gave it to him up to 3 times a day to stop itching like the doctor ordered. And he was totally lazy and drugged out, but would still manage to scratch himself like crazy.

I just ordered the PediPaws nail rounder, which is supposed to round the nails instead of cut them.

But even if that works I would like to try a homeopathic remedy to help him. This has been going on for almost 2 years with no help from anything and I can just see how miserable he is. The wounds are usually on his ears or right under him & he looks like an abused dog & I can just tell he is in so much pain.

HELP!!

Answer 1

There is a health site for Bichon Frise run by nurses who are part of the Bichon Frise Club of America. There is some helpful information on skin allergies and problems. The suggestions should help you.

http://www.bichonhealth.org/

Also make sure you are using a food that contains no byproducts or artificial anything. No grains either. Go to   thepetfoodlist.com  and do some research on various foods. Try a lamb based kibble.

Answer 2

Your vet must've given you the option to do allergy tests on your dog, no?

Well, if this was offered and declined, I would suggest that you quit doing symptomatic treatments and become more aggressive in getting to the source... oatmeal shampoos, nail trimmers, reprimanding for relieving an itch, etc are not relieving the cause of the allergic reaction at all.

How long did you try a hypo-allergenic diet for?  You must realize that it can take up to 6 months for a dog to completely develop it's own antihistamines and for the allergen to completely be eliminated from the dogs' system.  The usual recommendation of a hypo diet is a minimum of 12 weeks, but sometimes it can take longer, although unusual, but not unheard of.

The most common allergens to dogs are soy, beet, wheat, corn, potato and yeast.  All foods AND treats must be completely free of all of these ingredients.

All treats are a no-no if they contain any of the above ingredients.   If you cannot find treats that do not contain one or any of these, try fresh veggies, sweet potatoes, walnuts or berries as alternatives.

Supplement a hypo or raw diet with a natural antihistamine and/or anti-inflammatory such as Flax oil or ground Flax seed (both must be refrigerated), Omega 3 and 6 fish oils/fatty acids.  You can continue to use Benadryl as prescribed by your vet for a week, then discontinue.  If a reaction begins again, try again for another 3 days, discontinue and see what happens.

Remember, you can always make a home-made diet.  It's quite simple, really!  Just remember to add the Flax and OFA's!

This regimine has never failed for any of my dogs who have allergies.

If you'd like some recipes for home-made diets, email me and I'd be happy to share.  You can also find many on the internet, or your vet may have some, as well.

Answer 3

I agree with Rocco.  A grain-free, raw diet sounds like it may just work for your dog.

I would also supplement his diet with omega-3's.  They are found in flaxseed oil, fresh fish, cod liver oil and have an amazing effect on the coat.

GL

Answer 4

The only thing that's worked to aid my dog from scratching when she has skin irritation, rashes, etc. is the blue Pet Relief Anti-Itch Spray.  This link shows you what it looks like

http://www.petmedstore.com/Merchant2/mer...

The oatmeal shampoos aren't strong enough when it gets to this point.  You'll need to purchase a "medicated" shampoo and make sure you dry the dog thoroughly otherwise the dog might get a rash.  Under these circumstances, you may need to bath him every few days with the medicated shampoo until it shows signs of getting better.  After that, don't bath a dog more than once a month.

You really shouldn't be punishing him for scratching especially since you think the problem will somehow subside.  It's terrible to make the dog think it's bad to scratch and to be purchasing products that don't actually address the issue.  Work on treating the cause and not the symptom - please, for your dogs well being.  It's reoccurring because you're not giving regular and consistent treatment, right?  You're dog may need ongoing daily treatment for allergies, which probably only then will the skin irritation stop.  One of Benadryl's side effects causes drowsiness, to call your dog lazy is straight up ignorant.  He's miserable because you're not dealing with the issue proactively, instead your annoyed which is further aggravating the dog by stressing him out on top of this skin problem!  Grow up and stop being selfish - you're not the one in agony.

I do have a book w/ homeopathic info, however, if you don't want to deal with providing allergy medication to prevent the skin problems, then have an attitude about it and make your dog suffer more, I don't think it's likely that you'll take the additional steps needed to purchase and apply homeopathic healing methods which can require additional work for you.  It seems you've reached the point beyond homeopathic aid and you need to use serious meds now - Benadryl, medicated shampoo, and the Anti-Itch Spray which will need to be applied regularly.  Be patient.

I'm sorry if I'm being harsh with you but it seems you're trying to make the symptom go away without treating the cause - I hope you didn't stop giving the Benadryl due to the effect you don't like.

Answer 5

buy professional sled dog botties to go on the feet.

Answer 6

  hi , try adding some normal sunflower oil to his food it helps to keep there skin from drying out.

or you could try a garlic oil capsule  as it stops the blood overheating  and that sometimes causes itching,also good as a  flea repellent i used to use fresh garlic a large clove a day but its a bit smelly and the capsules come in odourless form too.

worth a try anyway give both methods it a couple of weeks to take effect . just a couple of teaspoons of sunflower oil or a capsule once a day. anyway good luck

ps . dont know whether it works but try the website below

http://www.amazinghealth.co.uk/pet-itchi...

Answer 7

I'd be doing a complete diet overhaul.

Keep the food simple and raw. Stick to raw meat, chicken is good however you may need to try him on a few meats, offal, vegies, sardines, raw bones/chicken wings legs, a pinch of kelp powder, 2 fish oils caps or some cod liver oil.

No grains. Grains have a heating effect on a dogs body and can cause hot spots and itching.

There are a few homeopathic remedies you can try but you must get them prescribed by a homeopath. The reason for this is there is about 4 or 5 that can be used on the skin for allergies and you want the right one. I tried arnica, hypericum and rhus tox but none worked.

Use no shampoo's at all. Wash with only water, the skin is sensitive enough as it is and doesnt need to be shampooed to get better.

Here's a website that will give you a few tips.

http://www.claremiddle.com

Click on the articles on the top right, then read treating allergic cats and dogs, it may help you.

She also has an article called real food, you may get some tips from there.

It may be internal or external allergies but correct nutrition will help build the immune system and strenghten the bodys total defence system.

E-mail me if you need some more tips.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

my husky is the same way and airborne pollens.wet grass and weeds cause red itchy welts that drive him crazy. i got him prendisone from the vet to cool the hot stops and i give him benadryal a few times a day when there is a bad outbreak and he is feverish.medicated dog shampoo and conditioner are good but after u bathe him get him dry and rub the conditioner on his skin and let it absorb and just leave it on without rinseing it off.keep the hair short around the sores and u can soak them with warm water and about 1/2 cup of epsom salts added and keep soaking the areas for 10 minutes a couple of times a day, then dry and rub on anti itch cream like benadryal or lanacane and then sprinkle gold bond medicated powder on top.if u keep him dry and out of grass and weeds and wipe him down after he is done potty it will help keep the allergents off his skin.the vet can give u steriods to keep him comfortable along with childrens benadral since he is small. my husky is over 100 lbs and he can take a lot of the benadryal through out the day since it is usuerally 1 pill per 20 lbs of his weight but i keep him at 2 a day unless he is really miserable.i never let him in wet fields,grass or where the weeds are thick and he gets better as the cool weather comes then in the spring it starts again.ur dog needs steriods from the vet with his condition and after a week u wean him off and keep using the benadryal and the other methods and he will get better.the pour guy has to feel comforatble to get better so call ur vet and get them to give u meds to clear up his skin and keep him dry.good luck

Answer 9

I don't know why you would want to waste your time  with homeopathic remedies.  Homeopathics do not work.  They take a tiny bit of something that causes the same problem you want to get rid of and dilute it down to almost nothing.  Homeopathics were used before anyone knew any better.  There is no place for homeopathics in the modern world.  That said, you need to go back to your vet to see if you can find out why your dog is itching so much.  Follow your vet's instructions perfectly.  There are anti-itch shots and pills that can be prescribed and will really help your dog a lot.  Maybe your dog needs a stronger antihistamine.  If that is the answer then your vet will know.  Cutting the hair won't make any difference unless it is matted hair and fleas, ticks, mites or lice that are causing your dog to itch so badly.  If you can't get treatment for your dog and/or you will only go partway, such as getting the shots but not the pills, you ought to have the dog put out of his misery.

Answer 10

Personally, my dog went through something similar. With the guidance of our holistic vet, we shifted diet and tried some of the other things mentioned. The only thing to help was a constitutional homeopathic remedy, without the necessity of dietary changes or added supplements (not to mention, the need for any meds). You'll have to work with a vet trained in classical homeopathy. The largest directory of which I know is http://drpitcairn.com. If you don't find someone nearby, homeopaths who treat animals can also be found at http://nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org and http://ewildagain.org. Best wishes.

Answer 11

And the vet didn't say the cause? Well, maybe you could try having him shaved....maybe the coat is causing some irritation. So maybe try some lotion or conditioner that would stop the scratching.

Another thing, does he have his shots up to date and tests for like parasites and stuff? (the routine testing) Also, fleas/ticks?? Does he have anti-flea/tick med?

OmiGosh I am so sorry...poor thing!  :(

Good luck! And try googling it too...something I found:

http://www.orangepopdesign.com/pepperswo...

Yup, I think keeping the hair on the shorter end helps :)