Tierce has been scratching… Scratching… SCRATCHING! It started when the serious heat of summer began, so we were thinking that this has something to do with the heat.
We took him to the vet for his annual checkup and he got his rabies shots. The vet said that the scratching was probably an allergy or the heat and to add some fish oil and coat boosters to his food.
However, Tierce has started to scratch at his eyes! Some of the hair has been worn away… I’m hoping that this is a food allergy and a switch to GO! Grain Free will accomplish some improvement. I’m hoping that it’s not demodectic mange or some other real big nasty. However, only a trip back to the vet will tell for sure.
My trainer and Shassi’s breeder say it could be a reaction to the 3 yr rabies shot and to just wait for his immune system to get back up and running. I’m still worried about him. We’re going to try to get him in on Saturday, but it depends on whether I can get an appointment. Otherwise, I’ll probably have to take some time off of work to haul his furry ass into the office.
Wish us luck… 🙁
We have a female (2 1/2), also from Susan in Cobble Hill. She also gets itchy every late spring/summer and trys to chew on her legs. We originally, in discusion with the vet, thought it was an allergy to milk-related products. Cut them out last year, and it seemed to clear up, however, the itch has returned this year even though she doesnt get any milk/chees products! This year, the vet thought it might actually be a pollen allergy, but we cant confirm without a whole battery of tests. things seem to have cleared up as the winter fur shed finished, plus we have been rubbing her down with Earthbath hot spot & itch relief spray. She is not happy about the treatment!!! but, it does seem to sooth the itching.
Make sure you keep a tab on his eye! If there is ANY swelling at all, get your vet to do an eye pressure test to make sure Tierce isn’t developing glaucoma. A good friend of mine just went through a heartwrenching incident with her beloved Shiba, and now her lil’ bitch is blind in one eye!! This dreaded eye problem is now becoming more and more common in the breed and it tends to manifest itself around the age of 4 or 5. I don’t wanna scare the bejesus out of you, but please be aware of this potential problem. I wouldn’t want you to go through what she did!! Blessings to you all.
I am allergic to my shots from my vet. They have to give me Benadryl prior to my shots otherwise I either a). puff up like a balloon or b). lose fur on my legs and face because I will insanely try to scratch my body. I was not allergic to shots prior to coming to live with These People but sometimes we Shibas are just sensitive to what chemicals accompany our shots.
Sometimes, when I am shedding badly, (like now- I decided to lose a 3rd coat of fur this year), The Woman gives me Benadryl because I will scratch, get myself worked up on an area that gets sore, and continue to scratch more. The Benadryl does not make me sleepy but it does help with the itching.
The Woman has tried a number of bath products and itch spray reliefs when I am irritated by my coat, but the best thing seems to be brush, brush, brush and the Benadryl– however, like all good medical advice– even though I am smarter than most, you need to ask the vet if this is okay first because they get grumpy if you try to play doctor with your Shiba.
P.S. It’s expensive but helps. Sometimes, also when its bad, we get from the grocery store leftover salmon skins, tails, or fish heads (you can call in advance and get them to hold some for you) and make a thick smelly soup. Take out heads before you serve but let him eat the skins and tails- the omega oils seem to help too, but beware of FISH FARTS! You don’t want him sleeping on the bed with you that night!
I’ve heard of people using Listerine on their dogs’ hot spots. DISCLAIMER: I haven’t done this myself, don’t know if it’s safe, and don’t know anyone who’s done it.
SitStay.com has dried fish skins from Iceland — Pepper gets two of them every night. They are her absolute favorite snack – I figured they were helping her brain (omega-3) and teeth, but hasn’t thought about her skin — she’s never had any problems at all with her skin (of course, she’s Border Collie as well as Shiba).
I would think any dog would like the fish soup better, but if you want a drier version, the Islandic fish skins might help. I haven’t noticed any gas afterwards.
Dorene