Scratching

[moggy]

Lately Sophie (Chihuahua) has been scratching all the time in one spot. It is down on her tummy area and we can't see any rash etc. She is 2 years old and a longcoat. She scratches and bites at it often. Any ideas or remedies?

Thanks in advance.

[persephone]

Hi - scratching can be caused by lots of things, including fleas, allergies, pain in the area, skin infection, boredom, attention seeking.... all sorts!

detective work, and some vet help is often needed to find the exact cause ...

Hope you get an answer soon

[puggy_puggy]

If it's just been lately and it's on the tummy perhaps it's a contact allergy from a grass or plant that has seeds or pollen at this time of year.

Some antihistamines might be usefull.

[moggy]

Thanks for your replies. She has never had this problem before. I know she doesn't have fleas and she certainly gets a lot of attention. I am leaning towards an allergy. Will take her to the vet.

[Erny]

Try some Calendula Tea. You can purchase this from Health Food Stores - it is dried Marigold Flowers and the tea you make from it has some nice soothing and anti-bacterial qualities. You can use a spray bottle to spray her itchy area, or soak a flannel in tea and douse it on her that way. Or bathe her in it. I've had good results from this inside 24 hours and has saved us from needing to administer medications/shampoos etc. It also helped to stop the advent of secondary skin infection.

Edited November 6, 2009 by Erny

[Chaz]

One of my Toy Poodles use to scratch herself a lot,especially after being washed,l tried everything all types of shampoo's etc.But recently l changed their dry food to Eagle Pack Duck meal and after about a week she hardly scratches at all now.

Not sure if this pertains to your dogs problem though but l thought l may as well mention it.