Why is my Lab mix SO itchy? Help, she's hurting herself!

[Woofless]

I would suggest a thyroid test in addition to any allergy approaches you decide to try.

Hypothyroidism is common in Labs and older dogs in general. Since the itching is a new development and a dietary change didn't work, it's worth getting it checked.

The possible symptoms that can be caused or made worse by a thyroid imbalance are widely varied. Skin and coat are often affected. Usually dogs lose fur & get dry, flaky skin and icky lesions, but I HAVE also seen dogs get severely itchy with hypothyroidism.

The test is relatively inexpensive (about $45 where I live) and most vets should be able to do the test in-office. The meds are dirt cheap too (Soloxine).

 

[Barbmcdon]

I would change the food, first take him to the vet. They get so used to scratching that they usually can not break the habit with out a shot. Less grains in the food and maybe some salmon oil on top. I recently purchased Taste of the wild with Salmon and I have never seen my dogs so itchless. Really worth the cost, they seem to stay full longer too. As far as the whiskers, does he have bad teeth? I had a dog once have a sore in that area and it was due to an infected tooth.

 

[bock]

Quote:
Maybe I'll ask the vet to do that. She doesn't have loose fur or dry skin though.

 

[Woofless]

Oh, and if you want to try a "natural" remedy....around my place, we swear by apple cider vinegar (ACV) & grapefruit seed extract (GSE) Has so many uses and is safe to use for animals, I've even seen posts on here of people putting ACV in their chickens' waterers which is something I'm sure to try sooner or later

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You can mix a half & half solution of ACV and water in a normal spray bottle and mist it on her coat. If you can find GSE, add 2-3 drops to the solution. GSE can be hard to find depending where you live (I'm ridiculously rural, closest health food store is 120 miles away LOL)....you generally have to go to a health food store to get it OR you can order online. The bottle I bought was $14 (but it'll last a long time- you only use a few drops and dilute it).

Anyway, even without the GSE, the water/cider mix may help her coat. You can also add a teaspoon or 2 to her water bowl.....more or less depending on how big the water bowl is, my dogs' bowl in the house has about 2 quarts in it so I add about a tablespoon. I do it every 3 days or so, giving plain water in between. One of my dogs has arthritis in her knee from an old injury before I adopted her, and ACV is supposed to help alleviate inflammation.

There is a ton of info online about the benefits of ACV and GSE if you want to do more research. Hope this helps

 

[bock]

Quote:
Gosh Taste of the Wild is really expensive though, and I JUST switched from Purina to Blue Buffalo to 4health. I would hate to switch them again. I sitched from Blue to 4health because it is cheaper, but still good quality. She actually has really good teeth for her age, I don't know what the heck is wrong with her!

 

[bock]

Today it's really nice out, like 85F with a breeze. She seems a lot less itchy now.

Maybe that has nothing to do with it, but when it's 100+ like yesterday she itches more.

 

[bock]

Quote:
That sounds like it could really help! Do they sell that at grocery stores or just health food stores? Thank you!

 

[andbab]

I am going through the same problem right now with my lab. I took her to the vet and she has a skin infection, not sure what caused it. She is on antibiotics now twice a day. I was thinking fleas and came home with a $400 dollar bill from the vet. Hope you have better luck than me.

 

[bock]

$400!!!

I REALLY hope that is not what it is. My dad just got a major pay cut, we can't afford that. Ugh!