Scratching dog

[linedancer16]

For a few weeks my Border Collie has been scratching for no apparent reason - nothing to see. He hasn't got fleas (confirmed by vet) and he is groomed regularly using a Furminator which gets out all the undercoat. He has been for a shampoo and trim at the groomers but was still scratching! The vet said it could be a seasonal allergy and gave him some Piriton but that hasn't really worked either, slight improvement maybe. Before I take him back to the vet, has anybody any ideas what it could be? Thanks.

[ladybirder]

Did it start before or after he went to the groomers? My dog long gone had a terrible itching problem after visiting a groomer who had obviously used something that disagreed with him.

[carolegif]

I agree with ladybirder, that it sounds like an allergy to something at the groomers,
My daughter had a labrador that scratched and she was told it was dry skin and that the cure was to give the dog a lump of butter in her food. It worked a treat!

[linedancer16]

It had started before he went to the groomers-I thought it might help but it didn't! He did have a slight skin problem when got him last year due to the conditions he had been kept in before he was taken in by the RSPCA but that cleared up quickly and easily and didn't make him scratch. I'll have to try the butter!

[lankeela]

What is he fed on? He could have an allergy to something in the food, such as wheat, beef, or even chicken. Have you changed the food recently? He could be getting too much protein so check the levels compared to his activity levels.

[Kiki-frog]

It sounds like some kind of allergy, but sometimes dogs can develop a scratching habit out of stress. Has anything happened to change his routine recently, e.g. visitors, a new dog moving in next door? Just a thought, but possibly worth considering.

[Khandro]

It could be that his diet is too rich. We had the problem once with a cavalier and were advised against certain dog foods; Pedigree Chum for one. Try reducing the amount of protein by adding more veg.

[lankeela]

A lot of dogs on Bakers have skin problems, also hyperactivity problems, caused by the amount of colouring in it. When the food is changed to a more natural one they stop scratching and calm down a lot.

[linedancer16]

He has digestion problems and after some suggestions from the vet and a lot of trial and error, he has settled on James Wellbeloved dry Senior with a bit of their wet food in sachets as a tasty topper. He has Protexin Professional sprinkled on his food daily (prescribed by the vet). He cant have rawhide chews or ones like Dentastix but can have biscuit treats. he likes carrot and apple. Nothing has changed in his food or any new stressful situations and I dont really want to try changing his diet as it took a long time to find what agrees with him!

[rsvp]

haven't read through the other replies - from very respected sources!!!! - just a point - have you changed any cleaning products, had floors/carpets altered or introduced new furniture to the house?

[masma]

Coco nearly drove us, and herself, mad with her scratching - like your dog there was nothing at all to see. Vet, after changing her food etc.to no avail, said it could be that she's alergic to fox mange which they can get after running through long grass. We've stopped bathing her in flea shampoo and now use pure olive oil soap - fingers crossed she's been itch free for about 6 months now. Hope this helps xx

[linedancer16]

No, nothing like that either but I do think it's an allergy to something.He has to go back to the vet next week so I'll see what she thinks. It's looking increasingly like I'm going to have to try more process of elimination with his diet! Lankeela, the one and only meal I gave him of Bakers -well lets just say I spent much of the night out in the garden with him! Thanks everyone for your help.

[linedancer16]

Masma, I was just replying to rsvp as you posted but thanks, that might be really helpful because he runs in long grass everyday on our walks through the fields and has been known to roll in fox poo! How often do you bath her? Thanks again!

[flump1]

Hi linedancer, just a shot in the dark here, I used " shake n vac " until I realised it made my dogs itch like crazy.

[masma]

Used to bath her every 4 weeks ish but now she seems to be ok it's just when we think she needs it. I do think, when she was at her worse, I'd been bathing her too often.

[linedancer16]

Morning!Thanks Flump, I do sometimes use 'shake n vac' and also Febreze fabric spray- I'll stop and see if that helps. I am also going to bath him today while I can do it outside!

[littleja]

Is he rolling around on the grass? My dog was doing exactly the same thing last month. Vet said it was irritation from rolling around in the grass and fields when out. He gave us a solution to bathe her, it worked. She still rolls around but no reccurrance, yet.

[larrymacuk]

The same has happened to my dog People are saying Pedigree Chum has been taken over and their food has changed I have changed her food and it seams to hve stopped her scratching