Lab that is constantly itching

[wonder]

I have a 3 year old lab that is constantly itching himself.  He's been to the vet and they say he's very healthy and doesn't have fleas.  I've tried about 10-15 different types of dogfood thinking that maybe he's allergic to grain or something else in his food.

Been giving him human allergy pills every nite before bed that is helping.  Adding fish oil to his food on a daily basis.  Spraying him down with Hot Spot sprays that are helping but this is all just a patch.  Vet says it will cost hundreds to find out what he's allergic too.  I have never had this problem with a bird dog but was told that Lab's are prone to skin allergies more so than other breeds.  Anyone have some good advice or experienced this same problem ?

[Bigtine96]

My lab has allergies to, I changed his bed to cedar and that helped alot. Get some dog salmon or fish oil and squirt it on his food. This all helped my dog out greatly. Goodluck

[bow4elk]

You have a meth lab    Sorry, I had a lab that drove me nuts because he was so damn hyper.  I called him a meth lab.

The fish oil is a good start to keep his skin/coat healthy.  You could try a raw meat diet, which can be pricey to do, but it might be worth a try for a few weeks instead of the costly allergy testing.  If he stops itching, then you may be able to pinpoint that it is indeed diet related. 

[fishermanjoe]

Is it possible for dogs to have scabies? That might be something to look into. 

[Happy Gilmore]

If you've invested in that many different types of grain free foods you're spending alot of cash on food. Maybe call and ask the vet specifics about testing for allegies?

Try Dr. Gary Johnson in Mt. Vernon. He's right up by the hosptital and has been a field trial lab breeder for probably about 20-30 years. He knows performance dogs and especially labs.

Johnson Gary L DVM · (360) 424-7965
110 N 15th St · Mount Vernon

[Klyne3]

Tea Tree Oil has help with my dog itching, may help with yours also.

[swanny]

My lab has been itching for 8 going on 9 years...the vet hasn't been able to tell us anything and the tests all came back negative. It does change at different times of the year, typically more intense in drier weather when she is outside more often. We believe it is pretty much a grass allergy.

[sisu]

Me too, Gus has some problem in the summer months with itching. We started using Butler dermachlor shampoo seems to help. The testing is very expensive & our vet said it is not an exact science as the allergy can morph to something else so all the testing would have to be done again. On a side note he seems to love salt water swimming & that seems to relieve the itch!

Please keep posting on this subject as it may help myself & others. Gus does not itch from late fall to mid spring but after that we need to monitor him daily.

[Curly]

You might want to try Dinovite.  It worked with my lab.

[wonder]

Thank you all for the information.  I did not think I was alone with this issue and now I know I'm not.  Sorry that this many pups are suffering out there.  I will take in all this advice and put some right to work.  Some of what was said in earlier posts I have been doing, and I thank you for the feedback.  I just don't want to take him to the vet and spend $300-$400 and not give him anymore relief.  I was told by a friend that the vets out in Snohomish are pretty good too.

Enjoy your day and Happy Hunting !

[Curly]

Good luck and give us an update sometime on how the dog is doing.

[oldschool]

 Labs are outside dogs. The heat in a house makes them itch and shed.

[wildweeds]

Fisherman Joe

  Yeah they call it ...................mange, Demodectic,sarcoptic and ododectic.If you ever get the displeasure of owning a dog that gets Demodectic........ your in for quite a battle with it.I had a pointer with it and it took about 6 months to get it gone,after that every spring there was a flare up of it that wasn't as bad as the inital bout.


  As to the original posters problem...................Try Brewers yeast pills as well, promotes healthy skin and coat as well...............unless of course an allergy is at work for sure and the dog is allergic to the brewers yeast that is contained in the dog feed allready.

Is it possible for dogs to have scabies? That might be something to look into. 

[Balladeer]

People used to swear by used motor oil and/or kerosene where I grew up. I don't know if that's appropriate anymore, but it seemed to work.

[whitey]

Get a jug of Omega 3 fatty acid and feed it daily its great for the skin and hair.
Or Fish oil.

[carpsniperg2]

yeah i bet it would be somthing along the lines of a food allergy or allergic to somthing in the house or that it is around.

[ICEMAN]

People used to swear by used motor oil and/or kerosene where I grew up. I don't know if that's appropriate anymore, but it seemed to work.

What in heavens name are you talking about? 

[mjbskwim]

I have always heard not to bathe a water dog very much at all.It gets rid of the natural oils in their skin.I guess the newer shampoos are better,but unless the dog just rolled in the stinky,don't bathe it

And salt water is supposed to be good for them.That's were I bathe my dogs.
Yes without soap. Sheez,if I give them a proper bath,they are for sure to find a week old gutpile to roll in.

And I am with spending the $300+ on trying different foods.Lots of great foods out there that are made for dogs with allergies. $300-400 for a vet may not get an answers any how.
Good luck

[PolarBear]

Crabs?  Just get some of that blue ointment at the drug store and he'll be fine.

[wonder]

Been awhile since I last posted and gave some of you an update on my dog's itching problem.  Went to the vet probably 3 weeks ago and she prescribed Pyoben for him.  Lathered him up good and let it stand for about 10 minutes and he does much better now.  Reduced the itching about 80-90%.  The product in made by Virbac.  Anyone heard of this product and/or used it ?  Thanks again for all your feedback folks !