Amstaff Is Itchy

[simmy78]

OK past few weeks my staffy has got this blotchy rash all over his chest and belly with and odd occasional pimple, now I havent changed his diet and he has no fleas as I treat him for those, he is up to date with all worming and vaccinations, now I am wanting to know what I could do to help him stop scratching as it is irritating him so much, there is nothing different in the yard but he does lay in the grass a lot, we are also due to leave soon for a holiday is there anything I can do now to help soothe him......

[Erny]

We have a staffy at our classes who suffers what appears to be grass contact allergy as well. The owners informed me the use of Calendula Tea wash helped him a lot with regards to easing the itch and soothing the skin, but of course if the cause of the problem remains it will return, and it does.

I have used "The Transfer Factor" with a reasonably good degree of success - although of course my dog's issues are more complex and I had to work through a lot of other things as well, including diet etc etc. The Transfer Factor is reported to help balance the immune system (as opposed to boost the immune system) and perhaps this is something you might like to look into further for your pup.

Also, how long has your staffy actually been on the diet you say has not changed? One can eat something over a decent period of time and eventually build up to the symptoms of allergy. Maybe a change in diet would assist?

One thing I have found is that trying ONE thing at a time for a decent trial period is the best way to go, otherwise you change and try all sorts of things and you end up not know what did what. Save of course, to put something on the skin to sooth it and stop it developing to a secondary skin infection (eg Calendula Tea as aforementioned).

I'm not a Vet though - can only comment as a result of my own experiences.

Others will have suggestions as well - allergies in dogs are extraordinarily common and seemingly becoming more and more so.

Edited December 16, 2012 by Erny

[persephone]

Erny has covered most of it.. a Vet visit would be most useful, I think :)