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.
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.
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 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.