Help Tbone. itching cobstantly...

because of the ear issues definitely see a vet. If those get out of hand you can end up with a VERY expensive surgery and a deaf dog at the end of it. He probably need antibiotics right now. I would take him in and let them look. I'd also consider a diet change to a simple novel protein he's not had before and get rid of anything corn based like treats and such. You can use Benadryl to ease itching BUT it is not a cure all and if the base underlying reason can be addressed it should be, IMO.

Add some fish oil if you can...oatmeal baths can help BUT overbathing can make things worse if dry skin is to blame.

eta: your vet should also do a skin scraping to see if there's a mite/mange issue...as well as perhaps draw some blood to check thyroid levels. These are all first steps to either rule out, or find a cause.

Gina's given you some great advice. When I switched my allergy lab to the Natural Balance Allergy formula, it ended once and for all her chronic ear infections. Unfortunately, it didn't stop all the other itching though. One thing that I found that helped more than anything else was frequent bathing with Nu Sal T. I could never find it locally but I found several places to order it online. I've wondered if one of the dandruff shampoos for humans might work as well, so give that some thought. I hope the vet visit helps give you some answers and ways to deal with this. I know how frustrating it can be.

Quick first question -- do either of YOU have an annoying itchy red rash -- maybe in an odd place but it itches like the devil but it's just a small localized sore red place on you??

Florida can be TOUGH on allergies (and frankly this is the "low allergy" time of year).  The problem is -- there are TWO kinds of ear infections.  There's a simple yesat infection OR there can be ***bacterial*** infections.  A bacterial infection can seem to come and go -- but if left, as Gina says, it can cost him his hearing.

Beejou

Callie.. Weird as it sounds I have been getting sharp itches but there apoears to be no reason or bug there when I look.

Possibly canine sarcoptic mange.  It might give you just a little trouble, but it is miserable for a dog. 

You can't see these mites.  They are too small and very difficult to test for because they move so fast.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=764

Beejou

I have been spending a lot oftime with shelter dogs...uld I have brought something?

Unfortunately, yes, but don't beat yourself up about it.  These mites are not too hard to get rid of. 

If you tell the vet you suspect sarcoptic mange because you have been around shelter dogs, you might be able to get an earlier appointment. 

It does sound like sarcops - BUT in Florida not only could you have transmitted it, but it is sometimes transmittedy by wildlife.  Raccoons, possum, squirrel - they can all carry sarcops -- but the little pustules sound like where they have bitten/put eggs altho typically it will rub off at least somewhat on you humans (typically dog sarcops may bite a human but don't try to lay eggs).

 I sent you an email -- email me back and I can try giving you some suggestions.  A vet will have LymeDip -- DON'T let them give you Revolution.  It is NOT effective on sarcops at all really -- there are other things FAR better. 

Typically if they suspect sarcops they will treat for it.  It's almost impossible to get sarcops on a skin scrape because they move so fast as Janet says.  You'll have to treat your apartment for it as well.  But it's a fair guess to be honest from what you're describing -- particularly now that you've described the little bumps. 

It could also be aggravated by contact allergy tho -- and Florida is FULL of contact allergens for dogs.  There are two tiny plants in the root system of St. Augustine sod that are major contact allergens to dogs.  Also wandering jew and night blooming jasmine BOTH are very prevalent here.  (look on your fence, creeping up walls -- wanderng jew has a kelly green leaf that has a little hooked tip  -- and you see the little tiny white flowers on the green creeper?? That's night blooming jasmine)

Those won't cause pustulres -- but they WILL take already sore itchy skin and ramp it WAY up. 

There are a lot of similar things -- one is chelyetelia (and I don't think I spelled that correctly) mites.  It's not possible that he's being bitten by red ants is it??