Itchy lab.

[Ste eibar]

Can anyone recommend a shampoo or treatment for my 10 year old lab.
He's licking and scratching mostly on his stomach and around his bits but also on his legs. I know its probably going to be a trip to the vets that I'll be able to do on Monday. Just wondering if it's a common problem that might have an easy cure.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Have you checked for the usual suspects (fleas harvest mites etc) ours started scratching recently (we have 4) one of whom had been to the vets and I suspect at that point picked up some followers…. Sent our older lab mad scratching her neck, now all treated along with the house, only ever actually saw one despite checking them all carefully but there is no such thing as one flea.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Equally if it’s tender on its undercarriage do you walk it in areas with lots of stinging nettles? They’re very potent at this time of year.

 

[Ste eibar]

Have you checked for the usual suspects (fleas harvest mites etc) ours started scratching recently (we have 4) one of whom had been to the vets and I suspect at that point picked up some followers…. Sent our older lab mad scratching her neck, now all treated along with the house, only ever actually saw one despite checking them all carefully but there is no such thing as one flea.

I’ve checked him for fleas and mites can’t see anything. It seems to be more of an allergy issue.

 

[Ste eibar]

Equally if it’s tender on its undercarriage do you walk it in areas with lots of stinging nettles? They’re very potent at this time of year.

He has trouble with being itchy every summer that I put down to pollen so I’ve kept him off the field’s so I don’t think it’s nettles. He usually has about 3-4 days of being itchy but this time it’s different.

 

[Buchan]

Get a piece of white paper, make it damp. Ruffle through the fur so that any bits fall on to the paper. One bit of black that goes slowly red is flea dirt.

Or, if you've not treated for fleas, do so!

If his coat is a bit greasy then a bath might help as the grease tend to lead to yeast infection in the skin folds.

 

[old 30-06]

When I had my last lab she went "itchy". The vet said that feeding dry food can lead to a dry coat, which is itchy. The solution was cheap and simple, a small can of oily fish every couple of days. We also used to put a splash of rape seed oil on her dinner once or twice a week. It worked well, and she died just short of her 15th birthday.

 

[Tim.243]

When I had my last lab she went "itchy". The vet said that feeding dry food can lead to a dry coat, which is itchy. The solution was cheap and simple, a small can of oily fish every couple of days. We also used to put a splash of rape seed oil on her dinner once or twice a week. It worked well, and she died just short of her 15th birthday.

Mine have sunflower/veg oil on their dry food also a good mix of fresh veg and muntjac

 

[rooster]

Try hibiscrub

 

[long_range_rob]

Try half a piriton antihistamine. If it’s an allergic reaction this will help the symptoms

 

[Ste eibar]

Thanks for the reply’s I’ve been trying to avoid the vet and sort it out myself but it isn’t getting better so I’ll have to take him in I’ve got insurance money isn’t an issue I just want him to be comfortable.

 

[Buchan]

When I had my last lab she went "itchy". The vet said that feeding dry food can lead to a dry coat, which is itchy. The solution was cheap and simple, a small can of oily fish every couple of days. We also used to put a splash of rape seed oil on her dinner once or twice a week. It worked well, and she died just short of her 15th birthday.

The consistency of the food will make no difference. Sunflower oil is cheaper and as effective as tuna (not sure on the unsaturated oil content of rape, but probably OK)

 

[Oracle]

A couple of years ago my eldest lab, now 10, started, literally ripping herself apart scratching. Happens twice a year and seems to coincide with the seasons and the change from winter/summer coat & vice versa. Tried all sorts of ‘cures‘ and tests without success. Quick consultation with the vet and she is now prescribed a course of mild steroids over a very short period, as and when the problem occurs. She now has a much better quality of life and little distress at the time of year this normally is prone to happen.

 

[LuckyB]

Try hibiscrub

Hibiscus does help