Constant Itching of our 4 dogs for months!

Hi Olga,
Interesting that all 4 dogs have the same symptoms! Perhaps your absence last August triggered some emotional effect in all of them (fear of abandonment?) and made them more susceptible to this ‘itching’ problem. You did not mention vaccinations, which is also a big stress on the immune system and can trigger a lot of chronic illness.

From your history, it sounds like you have ruled out some problems: mange, fleas, bacteria, and even food allergy (You said that they responded to the cortisone injection. If they had a food allergy, the cortisone would not have helped).

In my opinion, from the photos, I am still VERY suspicious of inhaled allergies mixed with sarcoptic mange.

Scabies mites live very deep in the skin, below the level of the hair follicles, and in some cases a skin biopsy is needed to find them. A skin scraping is usually too superficial to get deep enough. Plus scabies is contagious to other dogs, and to people too! (Although, in the majority of cases I have not seen the owners have a skin problem when the dog has scabies.)

Before rushing back to have the dogs checked for scabies via skin biopsy, there are some other basic items that should be corrected.

DIET:
ProPlan Lamb and Rice Diet
Is this a DRY Dog food? To help them heal, whatever the underlying problem may be, you should feed either a canned or RAW diet. Check our page on the 10 Best Dog food options. Dogs need to have moisture in the diet, not just adding water, to have a healthy skin, heart, joints, etc.

Vaccinations:
I am NOT knowledgeable regarding vaccination requirements for Costa Rica, but for ALL vaccines that I am aware of, they come with an insert in the box which says, ‘To be administered to healthy animals ONLY.’ Therefore, if any of the dogs are due for a vaccination, WAIT until NEXT year or as long as you can until they are ALL healthy.

Rino–prone to ear infections, dry skin, and arthritis plus severe itching
Aiko–heart murmur and enlarged heart and severe itching
Kasino and Dino–severe itching!

SUPPLEMENTS:
Fish oil capsules–all should have at least 1,000-2,000 mg TWO times daily

Osteo-3 supplement for Rino, good supplement, and contains a negligible amount of Omega 3 fish oil, so it would not hurt to give Rino some extra fish oil capsules too.

Immuplex by Standard Process–to boost the immune system. (available on Amazon.com) Give 1 capsule- in food two times daily to all dogs.

OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder – 1/4 tsp in food two times daily

Missing Link powder for dogs – 1/3-1/2 tsp in food two times daily

TO BE CONTINUED PART TWO

Hi Olga,
Here is the rest of my response.

BATHING:
The Lupol, iodine shampoo will be too drying for them. Switch to an oatmeal shampoo and bathe them 1-2 times per week in cool water, to help cool down their HOT itchy skin.

BEFORE the shampoo, massage all dogs with coconut oil, and let it soak into their skin for 2-3 hours. You may need to shampoo with Dawn Dish detergent to get the oil off if they are still ‘greasy’ after 3 hours, followed by the Oatmeal shampoo. If they are not greasy, then just use the oatmeal shampoo.

NOW, it would ALSO be best to seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to treat with homeopathic remedies. There are remedies/nosodes that are indicated for scabies. But it may be possible that with just some diet changes, and supplements that they will start to have some relief.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Thank you for all the advice. What would be the best method of treatment for sarcoptic mange? Since the scrape results came back negative, our vet is certain that it can’t be it, but I’ve read all over that it is very hard to confirm with a scraping. Could you please provide me with some possible treatment options that we could try?

Hi Olga,
Usually, for treatment of sarcoptic mange I will advise Lime Sulphur dips, one time per week for the first two weeks, then every two weeks for 3 more dips. The sarcoptic mite eggs can take 2-3 weeks to hatch, so the baths need to continue until all possible mites/eggs are gone.

It is best to have your veterinarian advise you on dilution of the dip and making sure you do NOT wear any jewelry when giving the dip. And taking precautions not to get it in your dogs’ eyes or ears.

The smell is absolutely atrocious! Have ALL windows open, and a fan blowing!

Most clients prefer to have it done at the vet clinic.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello,

I visited our vet once more and asked him about treatment for sarcoptic mange. He said that he tried treating them for this, albeit it was through oral pills Endovet. This treatment was performed after their steroid injections, and although their itching subsided, it’s right back after going without steroid treatment for 30 days.

One strange thing that I had neglected to mention, is that when my boyfriend touches the dogs – and only on the underbelly area – when he picks them up or plays with them, he instantly gets an irritation on his skin and feels itchy. It goes away after several minutes without contact. But I thought I would mention that and show you a picture. He does not get a similar reaction from petting them on the head.

Does this give any new insight? We’re desperate!

Hi Olga,
It sounds like your veterinarian did not continue for a long enough treatment plan. I am not familiar with the Endovet medication. From an online search, I believe it does contain some Ivermectin, which is a ‘conventional’ treatment for Sarcoptic mites.

Since the mites burrow deep into the skin, the eggs are also deep under the skin. It may take the eggs 4-6 weeks to hatch, therefore ANY scabies treatment plan must continue for LONGER than that. It is not unusual when treating more than one animal to continue for 3-4 months with treatment. Since one animal may clear up, and another animal still have some mites, and will give it back to the first animal!

The photo of your friend’s arm is quite dramatic with acute allergic hives! I am not knowledgeable in human dermatology, but I would be very suspicious that he may be reacting to the scabies mites.

So, you can choose to use the lime and sulfur dips for 3-4 months or the Ivermectin/Endovet medication. Which is not holistic, but is only for a temporary time, to give the dogs some ‘quick’ relief while you work on the diet, immune support, etc.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,