Dog Community

Stop From Itching

Anya

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:14:36 PM

Hello everyone! [

]

Our old lady cocker/pomeranian/terrier mix brought me here today. She's 11 and resilient, although she has started 'showing signs' of her old age. A week prior she'd gotten into some ants and got the itches on her tummy & neck, so we took her in to have her groomed yesterday. We noted then how short they'd cut the hair in her underarms & belly and today they are the epitome of razor burn! Angry

Her poor little pits, especially, are bright red and bleeding.. this past week she has not itched in that area. On her tummy I can differentiate between the scratches and the razor burn.. it seems having her fur cut only irritated & exaggerated the problem we were attempting to alleviate.

She was bleeding quite badly so - don't yell at me! - I cleaned them all with alcohol. Painful, yes, but it's all we have on hand. She received lots of love and reassurances and.. treats! [

] Anyway, my question is (as we simply cannot make it to the vet until next week), does anyone have any ideas of what can I do to stop/keep her from itching in the meantime? Not asking for a diagnosis or ideas of! Any thoughts, ideas and experiences you all share are greatly appreciated! For some reason my searches on the internet aren't yielding much. Must not be typing in the right things!! [8D]

As a note.. she has no allergies, is not on any new food or medication. Her environment has not changed and is flea-free! The ant bites are also now gone & never discolored her skin.

Cheers! [

]

Jenny Stromsdorfer

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:21:27 PM

that hurts to think about it. But, there are medicated lotions and things you can get at PetSmart/PetCo. Don't know any in particular, but I'm sure someone here will definately be able to help you if you're patient.

cakana

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:36:01 PM

The first and easiest thing you can do is give her some benadryl. You can find this (or the generic) at any drugstore. You want to give 1 mg per lb of your dogs weight. It doesn't have to be exact, i.e., if the weight is 21 lbs, give a 25 mg cap or pill. Please don't use alcohol on her anymore though. It's extremely painful and serves no purpose. Honestly, other than giving the benadryl, I'd leave her skin alone. If it looks like any infection is developing or any allergic reaction to the ants, you need to get her to the vet ASAP. Good luck, it sounds like the poor girl has been through a lot.

Jenny Stromsdorfer

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:44:50 PM

I didn't even think about the Benadryl. That's a good idea. I bet that once the hair starts growing back, it will be better. Good luck.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:51:23 PM

Welcome to idog; Please follow cakana's suggestion and give her Benedryl. You can find hydrocortizone creams at PetsMart or Petco and they should help with the itching too.

Anya

Posted : 8/22/2006 10:19:21 PM

Thanks for the help everyone

That's exactly why we used it, to kill any germs that could cause an infection. Don't worry- we weren't planning on using it again.. yikes!! It's already beginning to scab over, too, so let's hope these se suggestions keep her foot on the floor.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/22/2006 10:32:38 PM

Anya -- are any of the humans itching ... like in sympathy? SERIOUS QUESTION. - my guess is that this could easily be sarcoptic mange. If so the vet visit needs to be stepped up before you have it thru your house and your other animals (AND humans) get infected. An older dog is at increased risk for sarcops and it can be gotten even from local wildlife (like squirrels or any other critter). What you are saying sounds very very like sarcoptic mange and the age makes it doubly likely.

Anya

Posted : 8/25/2006 9:14:57 AM

Maggie had gone to the vet last Wednesday, so there were no health issues to aid toward this- just a very, very bad case of razor burn.. that's now healing up quite nicely!! Been using half-dose of Benadryl whenever she's uncomfortable, trying to itch or rub. Also been applying Neosporin once-a-day.. working like a charm! She's back to being a happy girl. :]

Thanks again for your help in suggestions everyone!! :]