The Boxer is 4. The first summer we had ehr she was fine and didnt scratch at all. But every summer since then she gets all red and keeps scratching herself nonstop. The Bulldog is 2, She does the same thing. She bites her paws and scratches herself til she bleeds. We live in the northeast US. And when its cold from novemver to March they are fine. We have tried everything. Different flea collars...new regular collars, shampooed all the carpets, washed all their blankets, got all new toys, changed food, cut out table scraps, put stuff on the lawn outside, then didnt put fertilizer or weed killer on the lawn, we've tried oatmeal baths, we've tried baths every 2-3 days, the vet doesnt know what to do. The only thing that works are steroids, Prednazone ( probably spelled wrong). But that isnt good for the dogs and I dont want them on the pills. I think my Boxer has allergies cuz she gets all red, but the bulldog i think has egzema. Cuz she also loses her hair, but doesnt get red
Answers:
you need to treat them for fleas properly. a collar is NOT enough. get some frontline from your local vet and treat them once a month. this will kill all fleas, flea eggs as well as ticks.
if its not fleas it coiuld be a fungal infection, your vet can do a skin scraping to determine this.
however, snce you said it only happens in summer, its more likely to be allergies - probably from plants or pollen. (could be grass, trees or flowers). This is why the prednazone helps.
if both dogs are showing similar symptoms then its probably a tree or bush or weed that is the problem.
you need to try to identify the tree or bush that might be the culprit and get rid of it. have a look around your (and neibours)garden for something that gives or spores or flowers in summer. Ivys could also be a problem. it could be some type of tree/flower that dies back in winter and grows in summer.
you say the first summer you had her, she didnt scratch - did you plant something nerw in the garden? allergies can also develop over time so this may not be the cae, but is worth thinking about.
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I used to have a lab with a flea allergy (He was allergic to everything...)and he chewed himself raw. Bag Balm (A medicated salve) really helped ease the itching and heal the sores. It's safe if the dogs lick it and available at pet stores.
The only way I found to get rid of fleas was to call an exterminator and have the house and yard treated regularly.
It could also be an allergy to something as simple as your laundry detergent that their bedding is being washed in - Try switching to a dye and perfume free detergent and fabric softener.
Has it occured to you that it may be the heat from being in the sun that makes this happen, try keeping them cool, hose them down with water, or put alittle paddling pool in your garden for them, we as people get sunburn an irritant from the sun and its the same for animals.
Such dogs as yours are suseptible to these skin problems..BEST BET in your case I would say is a PROFESSIONAL Dog groomer, especially if you can find one PRO %26 EXPERT on your kind of dogs..not just the ones you find in PetSmarts, etc...one thing I do know is wrinkly dogs, dogs with lots of skin folds, etc need to be thourougly dried, every wrinkle %26 they do make powders for wrinkly dogs... professional dog groomers, even better one who is expert on your kind of dogs...TC %26 Peace :)
I have used (used motor oil ) i know it sounds crazy but my dogs have the same sytoms and my neighbors dog has had it to they put used motor oil on the dog and it cleared it up it is some thing in the dirt that might be causing it so if you use it let set on them for a day let them rub it in on thier own. if you have dirt in your yard they will play in the dirt thats how they rub it in and at the end of the day just wash them off with dawn dishwashing liquid
MAYBE ITS ALLERGIES MY DOG DOES THAT WHEN EVER SHE EATS CHICKE SHES AN AMERICAN BULLDOG, I BATH HER IN BABY SHAMPOO AND WHEN EVER SHE TRIES TO BITE OR SCRATCH I TELL HER NO AFTER ABOUT A WEEK SHE CAUGHT ON SO WHENEVER SHE BITES I SAY NO! AND SHE STOPS
It's the fleas get advantix.
in a couple of days go through dog's fur and look 4 fleas watch when goez sum where and what she gets around pull out any plants that mite make her itch (poison ivy etc.)
Good Luck
Its allergies, not fleas. Try Benedryl its safe fairly cheap and available everywhere(for Human allergies). My friend gets her Bulldogs allergy shots from the vet.
I give my Bulldog 1 Benedryl every night (makes her sleepy).
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