cowanbree Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I have a sheltie who after bathing is intensely itchy to the point he rips 1/2 his coat out and creates hot spots. I have tried every shampoo under the sun, soap free, fragrance free etc etc etc and the only thing he can even slightly tolerate is goats milk soap. Unfortunately being a long coated dog, he has to at times be bathed so I am looking for a way to better manage it. I am not looking for shampoo suggestions as I have spent years trialling him on different ones and none really work. Otherwise he doesn't have any skin issues. Currently the day I bath him I start him on pred, put his plastic collar on and he has to wear boots but he is still very itchy for around a week. I feel so sorry for him. He has had numerous vet and even specialist visits but they can only suggest steroids which don't seem to help to be honest. Does anyone have any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 How clean can you get him using Calendula Tea wash only? IF you really MUST, then at the very least rinse THOROUGHLY and then use the Calendula Tea as a final (leave in) rinse. I have a short-coated breed and bath very very seldomly. But when I do bath him it is using Calendula Tea only and afterwards his coat and skin feel and smell nice and fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Arcane Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Probably all things you know already but first of all use tepid to cool water, the coolest the dog can tolerate. Heat will stir up the histamines and highten any allergic issues. Rinse like you're rinsing for Australia.... with cool running water, not just water tipped over from a jug etc. I would personally not use conditioner as they can be hard to rinse out. Make sure he is thoroughly blow dried, not just left to dry out after a towel down. Don't let him rub & roll around while wet. And brush/comb thoroughly as you dry to remove as much dead shedding coat as possible, but use caution not to scratch his skin with repetitive strokes or overheat the skin. This is what I would do for a start, no guarantees with any of it though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 He is bathed very seldom, his last one was nearly 9mth ago. I have tried the calendula tea as a final rinse but he has large areas of white and it left them dirty looking which defeats the purpose of bathing him. I haven't tried altering water temperature so will do that but he is very well dried and every hair combed right down to the skin. Ultimately I will most likely have to shave him but I currently show him so would like to avoid that as long as possible. I am hoping to find some magic pill to give him to stop all the itching before it starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Probably all things you know already but first of all use tepid to cool water, the coolest the dog can tolerate. Heat will stir up the histamines and highten any allergic issues. ! I second this. HAve you tried rinsing with ACV after too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 I will definitely try changing the water temperature. I wonder if the same applies for the dryer. I currently use a dryer with heat but could swap back to my old force dryer that is only room temperature. I have tried vinegar although I think it was white vinegar and it severely affected him, worse than shampoo. I do wonder if I have used the wrong bar of soap this time as I don't remember him being this bad last time, poor dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I will definitely try changing the water temperature. I wonder if the same applies for the dryer. I currently use a dryer with heat but could swap back to my old force dryer that is only room temperature. I have tried vinegar although I think it was white vinegar and it severely affected him, worse than shampoo. I do wonder if I have used the wrong bar of soap this time as I don't remember him being this bad last time, poor dog Hot water and hot dryers will make a lot of dogs itchy so keep it cooler. Also don't comb down to the skin unless it is only with a Collie Comb. Anything finer will rip the undercoat out and irritate the skin. Let the force dryer do the work of removing dead hair and use the Collie Comb to make sure there are no tangles. I can't imagine showing a Sheltie that hasn't been bathed for 9 months. Weekly is more usual for show dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exkiwi Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 You could try using any shampoo that does not contain Laureth Sulphate.Goats Milk shampoo is one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 I can't imagine showing a Sheltie that hasn't been bathed for 9 months. Weekly is more usual for show dogs. He is one of my older show boys and hasn't been shown recently but will be in upcoming mths. He has a lovely coat and with regular brushing he looked fine until recently when he had a big coat drop at which time in my experience they really need to be bathed. Thanks everyone for their suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Do you use a hydrobath? A squirt of QV oil or Alpha Keri Oil in the bath and no shampoo, lukewarm water, is very helpful for dogs that need freshening up,and old coat shifted, then dry with a HV dryer no heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Are you on tank water or town water? Have you tested the pH of the water you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 poor dog . I would change water type ...get a proper allergy test done on soap/shampoo that you use , and have everything cool . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 We rinse with high shine. Granted we have shorted coated dogs, although most of the rescues have the itchies when they first come in. http://www.hishine.net.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 On my allergy dog i use QV wash and tepid water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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