[kathyc]

Hi doggy lovers, my dear pet Lucky, half poodle, half shih tzu has begun to bite his belly raw in the past few weeks. Fearing a secondary infection, I took him to the vet last week, and he was prescribed antibiotics, and is also on Benedryl twice a day. When I see him biting, I correct him and he stops, but five minutes later, he is back to this self destructive behavior. He has also been scratching more than usual. The vet checked him for fleas and mites. He is clear. I also had him groomed on Monday (after this all started, so its not from the grooming.) Could this be a candida type infection? I am taking him back to the vet this afternoon, and I think he is going to get a cortisone shot. The vet did not do that last week, and explained to me that it is not without risks. I respect that.

Is anyone else experiencing this? I am wondering if Lucky is just nervous, and bored. We live in an area that has been extremely hot and humid, and I have not been able to take him on his regular walks, as it is not healthy for him, he is a short muzzled dog.

His appetite is fine, and he appears fine and happy in all other ways. Any ideas? Anyone else experiencing this?

Thanks in advance. This is a great group! Kathyc and Luckydog

[angiesample]

Could be some kind of allergy. What kind of food do u feel him? One of our family dogs was biting and chewing on her tail til she literally had no hair left and she would cry everytime she licked it bc it hurt so badly but she kept on doing it. My family switched her to Solid Gold and uses a omega 3 supplement along with a solid gold seameal supplement.. it has done wonders her coat is beautiful and she never picks at her self.

Obviously the best diet for any dog is a raw or homecooked but if u are unable to do that there are some good dog foods out there u just have to do the research. I dont feed my dog Solid Gold shes on a raw diet but it is funny when i go to the pet store with my family adn they ask them what they feed them. When they say Solid Gold the representative from different dog food brands wont even try to mess with them. Its quite amusing. Good luck!

[kathyc]

Hi Angie, I feed him "moist and meaty'. i tried to feed him Wellness and Bene...whats it called? But he would not eat it at all. Strange too, as the shelter said he was eating Wellness, when he was adoped in May. However, you may have hit the nail right on the head. About two weeks ago, I had some leftover mild cheddar cheese, and for a treat, mixed it with his food. He loved it. I read some about doing that , and it seemed ok to do. But it all coincides with when the itchy stuff began. I will delete the cheddar cheese, much to his unhappiness, I am sure, but its a really good thought.

Thank you for replying. Sometimes, we miss the simplest and easiest things. I will let you know how it goes.

Kathyc

[kathyc]

Hi All, Took Lucky to the vet last evening, and he received a cortisone shot. He is much less 'bitey' today. We are continuing on our course of antibiotics. I was also given a medicated shampoo for him. Vet said he did not think it was a food allergy, a food allergy would manifest itself differently.

The vet did do a few cultures, just to rule out yeast. We are supposed to check in next week.