Intense scratching by beagle- environmental allergies?

[Anonymous]

We recently got a 7 year old beagle. He started NexGard and a flea chewable with us; the NexGard is because he has a history of seizures and he had never been on flea meds prior because his previous locale was flea-free due to it being a cold weather location. His food remained the same from what his previous owners gave although we also added FortiFlora probiotics since he was having diarrhea issues due to being on an antibiotic.

Unfortunately, the poor guy has been besieged by intense itching. He did get groomed once, but the itching was already an issue. While on spring break, my sister (who was watching him) thought the scratching really worsened so she took him to the vet. They said they didn't see traditional signs of mange and that they suspected it could be environmental allergies. He's not an outside dog, but does spend much more time outside in our yard than he did previously. She gave him an anti-itch pill but said she didn't want him on it long-term.

Has anyone dealt with itchiness like this and if so, what did you do? Before he got into to see the vet, my sister gave him a Benadryl (the previous owner said he'd taken it before with no adverse reactions) but even the 1/3 of a pill he got apparently knocked him out.

[Anonymous]

When I rescued a hound who had lived outside her whole life, she scratched for the first 6 months...could not figure out what it was.

To help tho, I make sure the food doesn't have corn or soy in it, and she ate a fish oil pill (loved it).

Keep trying Benadryl but yes it does make them tired. or vet might even suggest stronger allergy meds humans take for allergies.

My vet tried steroids a few times and that would help but hound wanted to drink tons of water and thus pee a lot, so she would have accidents, and I needed to be around constantly to monitor her. not a good situation if dog owners work outside of the home.

It def. might be allergies. It was a frustrating time, but my hound grew out of it.

[Anonymous]

Gave you tried adding brewers yeast to his food?

Our beagles also gets super itchy. The vet said sometimes dogs get these random dry spots that get irritated, similar to eczema, which flare up from time to time.

It's not clear from your post, but did the itchiness start with the medications?

[Anonymous]

We regularly put a pump or two of salmon oil on our dog's food to help with dry skin and itchiness and we also groom her with emu oil.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The vet did recommend giving him fish oil, so we'll definitely try that.

This poor fella has been on a variety of meds since coming home. First, he was on the previously mentioned abx for a burst cyst when we picked him up. This gave him diarrhea, so the vet gave him an anti-diarrheal med. Then he hurt his leg and was put on painkillers, which we stopped after a couple of days because it gave him another round of diarrhea, and he went back on AD meds. He also is taking cosequin chewables. Then, my sister took him to the vet for the scratching and the still persistent diarrhea, so now he's on the anti-itching meds and a different type of anti-diarrheal.

All this to say that the scratching/itching was present as soon as we brought him home and preceded all meds except for the initial antibiotics for the burst cyst. It had definitely worsened, but was present immediately upon bringing him into our house.

The only other thing I can think of is that we diffuse lavender in the bedrooms at night; he sleeps in our room. I had read that lavender should be safe for dogs, unlike other essential oils, but I just stopped using it last night to see if it makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The vet did recommend giving him fish oil, so we'll definitely try that.

This poor fella has been on a variety of meds since coming home. First, he was on the previously mentioned abx for a burst cyst when we picked him up. This gave him diarrhea, so the vet gave him an anti-diarrheal med. Then he hurt his leg and was put on painkillers, which we stopped after a couple of days because it gave him another round of diarrhea, and he went back on AD meds. He also is taking cosequin chewables. Then, my sister took him to the vet for the scratching and the still persistent diarrhea, so now he's on the anti-itching meds and a different type of anti-diarrheal.

All this to say that the scratching/itching was present as soon as we brought him home and preceded all meds except for the initial antibiotics for the burst cyst. It had definitely worsened, but was present immediately upon bringing him into our house.

The only other thing I can think of is that we diffuse lavender in the bedrooms at night; he sleeps in our room. I had read that lavender should be safe for dogs, unlike other essential oils, but I just stopped using it last night to see if it makes a difference.

Was he an outdoor dog before? I posted previously, it took my hound months to acclimate after being in a harsh living environment.

I forgot to mention a humidifer - I tried that too, LOL. Oatmeal baths, etc. I'd be skeptical the diffuser would make a difference, but let us know. And try some different anti-histamines. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Our beagle used to get itchy- benedryl definitely helped.
The vet told us the right dosage and we gave him the children’s chewable tablets and he gobbled them right down.

[Anonymous]

Ask your vet for Cytopoint injection.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

It actually got to the point where my sister, who was watching our dog over spring break, had to take him to the vet while we were gone. They gave him Apoquel, but said they don't want him on it long-term. The medication has made him a new dog- so much less scratching! He's also started fish oil pills, even though he was getting some omega 3s via his cosequin chewables.

He was not an outdoor dog, previously. He's not an outdoor dog here, either, but does spend some time in our yard sniffing around and playing with my kids.

[Anonymous]

My beagle HATES lavender, so that might be a contributor.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The vet did recommend giving him fish oil, so we'll definitely try that.

This poor fella has been on a variety of meds since coming home. First, he was on the previously mentioned abx for a burst cyst when we picked him up. This gave him diarrhea, so the vet gave him an anti-diarrheal med. Then he hurt his leg and was put on painkillers, which we stopped after a couple of days because it gave him another round of diarrhea, and he went back on AD meds. He also is taking cosequin chewables. Then, my sister took him to the vet for the scratching and the still persistent diarrhea, so now he's on the anti-itching meds and a different type of anti-diarrheal.

All this to say that the scratching/itching was present as soon as we brought him home and preceded all meds except for the initial antibiotics for the burst cyst. It had definitely worsened, but was present immediately upon bringing him into our house.

The only other thing I can think of is that we diffuse lavender in the bedrooms at night; he sleeps in our room. I had read that lavender should be safe for dogs, unlike other essential oils, but I just stopped using it last night to see if it makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

It actually got to the point where my sister, who was watching our dog over spring break, had to take him to the vet while we were gone. They gave him Apoquel, but said they don't want him on it long-term. The medication has made him a new dog- so much less scratching! He's also started fish oil pills, even though he was getting some omega 3s via his cosequin chewables.

He was not an outdoor dog, previously. He's not an outdoor dog here, either, but does spend some time in our yard sniffing around and playing with my kids.

I know this is an old post but I am curious if you were able to resolve this. I’m having the same issue with my hound and can’t get it under control. I have tried changing foods, beds, fish oil, allergy meds, oatmeal baths... nothing seems to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

It actually got to the point where my sister, who was watching our dog over spring break, had to take him to the vet while we were gone. They gave him Apoquel, but said they don't want him on it long-term. The medication has made him a new dog- so much less scratching! He's also started fish oil pills, even though he was getting some omega 3s via his cosequin chewables.

He was not an outdoor dog, previously. He's not an outdoor dog here, either, but does spend some time in our yard sniffing around and playing with my kids.

I know this is an old post but I am curious if you were able to resolve this. I’m having the same issue with my hound and can’t get it under control. I have tried changing foods, beds, fish oil, allergy meds, oatmeal baths... nothing seems to work.

We tried everything. The Vet gave her a shot of something that worked amazingly well. He said if it works, it would have to be a regular shot. Sure enough. just about 2 months later she is itching intensely again. I plan to call the Vet on Monday and will ask the name of the med. (Which, I get, I should have paid more attention when he gave it to her in the first place.)

[Anonymous]

^^^ P.S. I'm a DP then OP.

[Anonymous]

Have the foods you tried been completely grain and legume-free? My dog gets diarrhea from certain grains and legumes, and I understand it's different from itching, but humans can get eczema attacks after ingesting foods they're allergic to (ex: strawberries), so perhaps it's a food issue.

The best my dog has ever felt was on home-cooked food (once after a digestive bout, I cooked ground beef, zucchini and spinach for him). However, we often resort to a grain-free and legume-free kibble for him (it does contain lentils, which apparently he tolerates), because we can't get our act together to cook for him all the time.

Perhaps you could try chicken breast and pumpkin puree for a few days, and see what it does to his itching. Chicken breast is usually completely neutral for dogs, and pumpkin regulates their digestive system.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have tried grain free but will try chicken and pumpkin for a few days to see if helps.