Scratching and biting himself

by Elizabeth
(Fortson, Georgia USA)

Our 5 month old Great Pyr has been biting and scratching himself since we brought him home. I've had him on Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula dry food for Puppies and he hated eating it, often leaving most uneaten. I changed to a grain free, GO! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. I felt like it was working because he ate every bit and seemed to stop itching so much. But now it seems to be getting back the same. I bathe him in dawn soap. I've tried sensitive shampoos for puppies but nothing seems to give him any relief. Do I need to give him a supplement or some sort of oil for his skin? I've also tried pineapple and papaya as they are suppose to soothe inflammation - he liked it at first but not so much now.
Also, our vet gives him a monthly flee control and they changed it up to one they know has no side effects but I wonder if that may be the problem. They don't want to give him any allergy shots because he is so young but I feel so bad for him. I give him Benadryl occasionally but do not see where it has helped either. Thanks for your advice!

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Aug 03, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Uncomfortable
by: Donna

Please research the food you feed. Food is what sustains us. Here are some articles on some of the kibbles out there.

Kibble.

More on kibble.

You might consider feeding raw. It cured a multitude of issues in my dogs.

Feeding raw.

You might consider a wholistic vet who can help you with getting your dog onto a good raw diet if you're not comfortable with that or find a good raw nutritionist.

Flea control can also be an issue. Consider natural options if fleas are a problem in your area.

I hope this helps.
Aug 04, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Suggestion
by: Anonymous

Join a Pyr Facebook group. They will be of help also. I did when I adopted my newf as I had never had that breed before. Have learned a lot. They discuss all types of issues.
Not everyone wants or can feed raw. It can be expensive and you have to know what you are doing to get the right supplements in. The therapy dog org I belong to doesn't allow their members to feed raw food.
FB group can tell you what shampoos to use, fish oil, etc. to use for diet, etc.
They say puppies are too young to have allergies but I don't know. Mine is 3 and I had him tested and he is allergic to chicken and grains.
See if you can find a holistic vet to help.
Aug 07, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		FB group for health
by: Donna

Here's a good fb group.

Life with Dogs and Cats
Aug 11, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Allergy scratching and biting
by: Marianne

You definitely have an allergic reaction there. Yes, a pup can have allergies. It might be in your environment. It might be the food. it might be a tick. Fleas? Well, I would suggest you wash the pup regularly with an anti-flea soap or shampoo. Or, get an anti-flea thing like Revolution or Advantage if nothing else works.

I have fed raw all my dogs' lives but my old 9 - 10 year old lady just developed an allergy to her food. I went through the whole bit of testing each ingredient of her food and it turns out she is has 'suddenly' developed an allergy to chicken and several other proteins. I have not been able to find any way of continuing raw and she is presently on a vegetarian dry diet.

I really don't understand why this has happened. Possibly something else in her metabolism is at work. She is happy and healthy with this dry food but i am flummoxed since i have been feeding my dogs raw, and often chicken for almost 20 yeas. I am aware that other people have come up against chicken allergies over the last 3 or so years. I rather wonder if there has not been something different added to the poultry feed in that time? In the grain they are fed?

Aug 11, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Allergy -- scrathing and biting
by: Marianne

I forgot to add this in my previous comment.

You might give him a squirt of fish oil or even extra virgin olive oil if he doesn't like the taste of the fish oil.

Check the vitamin for skin health. I believe it's D?
Jul 28, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		We had the same problem and it had nothing to do with his skin
by: Anonymous

Our puppy is 7 months old and all of 90+ pounds already. I’m just in awe at his growth rate. He too kept itching and licking and it was driving me nuts because I did everything he was on Semperica so no fleas. Side note when we got him he was only 7weeks and just covered with sucking lice so I was concerned did he still have some, was it phantom itching, but he had no fleas, no lice, we too put him on Purina pro plan, also tried Royal canin, and 3 others and just when we think it would stop and we got it figured out he would do it again and it would get really bad he just seemed miserable. Until one day I’m watching him and he was always itching and biting the same general area and it dawned on me he’s not itching because of anything external he’s doing that at his hips and so after a couple vet (more I should say) it’s determined he has arthritis essentially from his extreme growth rate and he’s been scratching because his joints hurt. I mean this boy literally gained 30 lbs in less than 30 days and he was still skinny and I couldn’t keep weight on him. But the vet assured me that actually the fact that he’s thin will help him. Also I stopped the semperica he was very lethargic and just looked miserable and one month his appt to start a new one got cancelled and he started to look better he was smiling and playing. The one thing I have learned with our big guy is puppy naps are crucial with this guy. And no rough playing only therapeutic exercise short walks. Trying to keep an 80-90lb puppy from wanting to run and play has not been easy. Also the arthritis will go away and he has good days and bad days. When his growth spurts start again it’s lots of naps, pain meds if it’s too bad, glucosamine supplements, and therapeutic walks.
Hope this helps!
Aug 10, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Compromised Immune System
by: Donna

Issues arise from compromised immune systems just as in humans. A dog on a species-appropriate diet flourishes, and that gives him an immune system that allows him to have a healthy mind and body.

This podcast will give you much information to get your dog healthy.

Holiraw Nutrition

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