Thanks so much to everyone.
I've caught up and wrote ALL the new replies down in my folder I keep for my dog.
A lot of the posts were right on the mark as to what I should try. I also need to get more aggressive in making sure i keep him bathed regularly and keep applying what does help him.
I feel bad because I sometimes tend to forget about his condition, and then when I see him rolling on the floor on his back to scratch himself like last night, I realize I need to do something.
A lot of the suggestions were perfect and on the mark.
Bernina brought up a really interesting theory. His condition did seem to develop like she was talking about. He was fine until he got a little older (maybe 8) and we had only been using Frontline for maybe 2 or 3 years, and since I probably was not using it as often as I was supposed to, he definitely did get a bad case of fleas. I think we have most of the fleas killed now off of him with his monthly worm "combo-flea-kill" medicine, but I do have to wonder about that great theory she has. The fleas themselves may have developed a resistance to the Frontline and the fleas themselves may deposit some sort of chemical into the dog and basically the dog gets allergic to that.
I dont think he has fleas anymore but he may still have the toxins from whatever the fleas put in his bloodstream or something like that. Because we inspect him real carefully after a good bath and we dont see any fleas. It basically is a skin condition.
It amazes me how close some of the posts were describing similar issues and in a weird way, it actually helps me to not feel alone. We have really tried to fight this condition for him many times.
The one thing I know I am guilty of is not staying persistant with treatments, so I definitely will ramp up my attack on this and at least keep him comfortable.
I will try to attack it on multiple fronts and try some of the suggestions for sure. I may give him a dose of benedryl tonight because I do know he gets instant relief from that. Its just hard to pill my dog. LOL
I like the 1 suggestion of the liquid, but I even tried that before and he wont let me get near him when I got a plastic syringe in hand. LOL It becomes hilarious as I try to fool my dog in giving him any kind of pill or liquid. What I find works best is to get some really good meat like a hotdog or steak chunks, and I take the time to dig out a hold and bury it in a small piece. Once he knows it is good meat, he usually will start swallowing whole to get the pill.
The funny thing is when he figures out what I am doing, he will chew his food more carefully and spit out the pill chunk. LOL
Oh...such fun we have.
AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE. I really appreciate it and I copied each and every one of the replies into my folder.
I love coming here to our Sidebar thread. There are some really caring people here and I appreciate it very much.
THANK YOU ALL!!!
