Continually Scratching Shih Tzu/Poodle Cross

[denby04]

My 14 month old shih tzu/poodle cross bitch is continually scratching under her chin. She used to do this after I had her clipped so I put it down to her whiskers starting to grow. Then it was just first thing in a morning when she woke up. She is up to date with flea debugging. I have removed her collar over the last couple of days to see if this helps but it hasn't. She scratched her chin so much today that she was sick (poor thing) and looks at me, with her gorgeous big eyes, for help. She is currently fast asleep at my side so isn't continually in discomfort. I am taking her to the vet for her annual injection and will ask for advice but I wondered if anyone else has come across this with their dogs.

[patricia53]

Hi Our airedale terrier used to scratch continually when he had been to the groomers - we have now got some shampoo from the vet which the groomer uses and he has been fine since - touch wood. The shampoo is Epi-Soothe by Virbac.
Hope you get it sorted.

[Clanad]

We have a two year old Zuchon (Shih Tzu/Bichon cross) that should be similar in coat quality. She's had skin irritability off and on but we have her trimmed about once a month. When she has started scratching, especially in just one location we, on the advice of our Vet, (he has a really nice boat, probably at our expense) use any over the counter lotion containing either Colloidal Otameal or Green Tea Extract... I'll say it works very well within just a few days.

If it continues, you may wish to have her tested for thyroid problems, however...

[yelenots]

Our Wesite continually scratched and chewed herself when she was a puppy so much so she used to bleed. Ended up having to put baby socks on her paws to stop her! After many tests etc she now has to have a desensitizing injection every 2 wks!!! Spent thousands on her!!!! When she does start itching, our vet told us to give her half a piriton tablet which does help - you could try that but not the one a day tablets just the ordinary ones from the pharmacy - hope you have got her insured????

[denby04]

Thanks for the quick responses. I must admit I wondered if Lucy is allergic to herself (being a cross). Fortunately, yes, I have her insured. A trip to the vet is looking more urgent but like Clanad I could be contributing to a nice boat (car, house etc). She is calm at the moment but has just been fed. Oh, that's another problem but the scratching is more important but, then again, could it be linked to her diet?

[yelenots]

We changed our dog food to James Wellbeloved as its totally free from everything and she loves it,.... both our dogs do!! After she had the allergy tests we found out shes allergic to 3 types of grasses, house dust/mites and feathers!!!! We also used to bathe here with calamine lotion too - didnt like that too much though! Unfortunately, she wasn't insured, and now she, this condition is an exclusion!!!