Help! New dog sick, same symptoms as old dog.

Not a clue, but when I lived in an apartment they would come in bi-monthly and spray for bugs... maybe a reaction to something like that in the apt?

Geesh, that is interesting.  I think what I would do at this point is sit down and make a list of everything in the environment.  Cleaning supplies, laundry soaps, air fresheners, everything.  You'll probably find yourself adding to it once you start focusing on it in the next few days.  I'd do the same with food, treats, even toys they play with.  Did the friend live nearby?  Is it possible that it's something outdoors that the dog is now encountering that it didn't before?  A different type of grass, plant, etc.?  I think you're really going to have to play detective and find out what is different than the dog's previous environment.
 
I wouldn't rule out that any of this might be stress-related from the owner going away too.  In any case, have you tried using an antihistamine for the new dog?  It might be worth trying until you can figure things out. 

Thank you for the responses.
 
Kelly, 
No, the apt. hasn't been sprayed for anything in the three years I've been there.
 
Cathy,
I've done quite a bit of detective work.  Took all toys away thinking it could be plastic.  I also stopped giving my dog treats and switched to a strict diet of venison and sweet potato which did nothing.  I switched food bowl from plastic to metal. I also tried 3 or 4 other kinds of diets over the last year and a half. Changed all cleaning products to dye free allergy products, bought new sheets and comforter. 
The new dog was in FL and is now in VA so it could be grass or something, but it seems odd that he has the same thing as my old dog, so I'm leaning more towards something in my apt. 
Does anyone know of some kind of mystery mite or parasite that could be doing this?
The vet did scrapings and treated with one round of Revolution, but they can be illusive little creatures.
 
 

Does anyone know of some kind of mystery mite or parasite that could be doing this?

 
A longtime member of this forum, Callie, has some experience with Sarcops and mites in general, so hopefully she'll be along later.
 
I know just how you feel about changing anything and everything and seeing no positive changes.  It is sooooo frustrating.  I'm currently using Atopica for my allergy lab, and she's doing better than she's done in the last year.  After all the food changes, medications, etc., we finally had her allergy tested in July and she came back highly allergic to just about everything in our area, including housedust mites.  It really could be that there is a type of grass (say Bermuda, for example) that is causing the problem in both of them.  I hope that isn't the case and that you're able to find the answer.

Do you have carpeting?  If you do and if you ever use a sprinkle freshener on it and then vacuum, try not using that.  I only say that because when we moved into our house, our cat had a severe respiratory reaction to a carpet cleaner we used and died.  It was not a good feeling to think I killed my cat because I sprinkled freshener on our carpet! 
 
Since then, I"m careful of what I sprinkle where or what I spray where.  Sounds like you are doing everything in your power to narrow this down and I wish you luck as it's gotta be frustrating.  However,  I think bringing in the new dog and having the same problem tells you it's something in your apt. that they are reacting to.  Sounds environmental to me.  Good luck!   

ORIGINAL: Mastiff

Do you have carpeting?  If you do and if you ever use a sprinkle freshener on it and then vacuum, try not using that.  I only say that because when we moved into our house, our cat had a severe respiratory reaction to a carpet cleaner we used and died.  It was not a good feeling to think I killed my cat because I sprinkled freshener on our carpet!

I've been wondering if maybe that is what's contributing to my foster dogs extreme itching, do you know how long it takes for that to completely get out of the carpet so you know it's not that causing a reaction? Sigh, it's such nice stuff for keeping the dog smell down to a minimum,,but hey, if it's bad for the dog then out it goes.

 Welcome to idog; I hope Callie comes along but it sounds to me like a type of mite; Revolution isn't effective against some types.  I think sarcops can be hard to diagnose sometimes. Callie will know for sure; her username is calliecritturs and you could pm her.

Edited to add; This link discusses sarcops and Revolution;   [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=57816&mpage=1&key=sarcops%2CRevolution]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=57816&mpage=1&key=sarcops%2CRevolution[/link]

The information below is from this thread; [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=40306&mpage=1&key=sarcops%2Crevolution黈]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=40306&mpage=1&key=sarcops%2Crevolution黈[/link] ;

  Frontline will NOT kill sarcoptic mites.  The only 'topical' that will kill sarcops will be labelled that it does -- and about the only two I know of are Paramite Dip (which is an organophosphate and NOT good for small puppies) and Lyme Dip (gentler but still effective).

I don't like Revolution and it doesn't have a good track record on sarcops.  Revolution goes on the skin and then goes into the blood stream from there -- but the mites have to BITE the dog to die.  And the Revolution stays in the body for weeks. (It's systemic which is honestly why i don't like it).  But I've heard a LOT of folks telling me lately that altho the vet tried to treat with Revolution it just didn't work.

Interceptor WILL kill sarcops -- and it can be used more frequently than once a month but doesn't linger in the body. 

Thank you to everyone for trying to help me.  This is my new favorite website.
 
I hope it's some kind of mite and I can finally treat the problem.

The bumps on the belly -- AND the soreness/itching on the muzzle -- that, to ME, says CONTACT ALLERGY (yep, capital letters and maybe NEON!!!! it screams it that loud!)
 
Can I ask where you live??  There are certain things that are huge contact allergens to dogs -- and SOME of them are such severe contact allergens that I wouldn't be surprised the new dog showed the same symptoms fast. 
 
1.  My first biggest guess would be Wandering Jew.  Up North folks use it as a lovely houseplant/hanging plant -- small leaves with a pointed tip, usually varigated between kelly green and white in stripes.  Down South, not only is the houseplant common, but it's found outside in several different varieities -- there's an all green variety that is a 'creeper' that attaches to fences, other bushes, etc.  There's also a red/green variety that is often cultivated to be ground cover -- like at the edge of gardens, around the base of trees, etc. -- it's carefree and hardy but man NASTY on the skin -- even for humans, it can cause intense itching, and even swelling if you are whacking away at it outside and flecks of the oil get on your skin.
 
2.  Others -- Night blooming jasmine, poison oak, and again in the South -- St. Augustine Sod!!  Most apartments, homes, businesses ALL have St. Augustine sod -- even as far west as San Francisco -- it's got this huge root system that stores water BUT two weeds in that root system (doveweed and day flower) are mega contact allergens for dogs.
 
3.  Less common -- chemicals -- fertilizers and particularly stuff sprayed on lawns to kill dog diseases (there are lawns at some vets Billy just plain will NOT step on because of this). 
 
Contact allergens generally -- they are passed from 'oil' -- when a leaf gets bruised the oil clings to shoes, feet, etc. -- so you walk across your own lawn and walk inside -- the oil on your own shoes will transfer it to the carpet, dog lays on carpet and CONTACT is made. 
 
Poison ivy is a human contact allergen (doesn't usually bother dogs amazingly) -- but if you've ever known anyone to go camping and maybe they did or didn't get poison ivy -- but they went home and tossed their boots in a closet -- come spring cleaning they wind up with poison ivy on their hands from handling the same boots months later!!!
 
The other thing -- but I would think YOU would be scratching -- would be sarcoptic mites - as long as this has gone on, YOU would be showing symptoms (small rashy itchy spot -- you might even think you've been scratching in sympathy). 
 
But because this is on the belly AND face (dog licks belly and it gets on the muzzle = "contact" again) I'm thinking contact allergy.
 
There IS a way for ***YOU*** to do your own contact test.
 
If you identify a plant you think is suspect pick some of the green and in a small glass dish cut it up with a very sharp knife (like an Xacto knife) as fine as you can.
 
Try to find two spots on the dog that are not broken out.  Take a Sharpie (permanent marker) and draw two separate circles on the skin.
 
Take some KY Jelly and just smear a bit inside one of the circles (this is your 'control' spot -- to make sure the dog isn't allergic to KY, in fact).  Then put a small blop of KY in the cut up plant matter and mix well.  Paint some of THAT on the other circle.
 
If it's a contact reaction it will react fast usually -- within 15 minutes to 2 hours. 
 
good luck  = Callie
 
 

I try to use as little spot cleaner as possblbe on my carpet.
 
I saw a heartbreaking show on TV where the woman gave birth to 2 deformed kids.  It finally was linked to the carpet cleaner,,,she would lay on the carpet while pregnant. 
 
I read to clean with natural vinegar adn avoid toxins,,,and remember the scare about swiffer which was ruled out by ASPCA,still chemicals and pets don't mix.
 
How about the grass outside,,,fertilizers? 

Callie,
Thank you for your response.  My poor little guy has gotten a lot worse in the last couple of days.  His little red bumps have turned into awful red blotches on his belly and his paws and face have a red rash on them.  I live in Northern VA so I will look into possible vegetation allergies (Wandering Jew, Grass).  Ive noticed both dogs seem to itch more in the bedroom .  I'm going to try buying a new bedspread, steam cleaning my floors and buying an air purifier.  I'm running out of ideas.  Hopefully the derm vet will be able to figure it out next week. 

Hollysmom,
I've used Resolve cleaner on my floor before.  I'll also look into that.  Thank you for the idea.

Ive noticed both dogs seem to itch more in the bedroom . I'm going to try buying a new bedspread, steam cleaning my floors and buying an air purifier. I'm running out of ideas. Hopefully the derm vet will be able to figure it out next week. /quote]
 
  I'd wait before spending money on an air purifier; this sounds like a parasite like fleas or mites or an allergy to plants like Callie said. You said they itch more in the bedroom; is there a plant in there like Wandering Jew? If you read what I posted above, Revolution doesn't eliminate mites and your new dog could easily catch them from your other dog. Your babies are beautiful; I hope you find the answer very soon.

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

Ive noticed both dogs seem to itch more in the bedroom . I'm going to try buying a new bedspread, steam cleaning my floors and buying an air purifier. I'm running out of ideas. Hopefully the derm vet will be able to figure it out next week. /quote]

I'd wait before spending money on an air purifier; this sounds like a parasite like fleas or mites or an allergy to plants like Callie said. You said they itch more in the bedroom; is there a plant in there like Wandering Jew? If you read what I posted above, Revolution doesn't eliminate mites and your new dog could easily catch them from your other dog. Your babies are beautiful; I hope you find the answer very soon.

 
I already got rid of all my house plants thinking that could be the problem. No Wandering Jew though.  I'm quickly running out of ideas.  My vet derm appt. can't come soon enough.

 I'll keep my fingers crossed that the derm vet finds the cause of this very quickly; poor babies.[]