Help my 12 week old puppy constantly itching

Hi everyone,
My 12 week lab keeps itching scratching and biting her legs bottom and bits it’s constant if she isn’t playing or sleeping she is biting and itching she has been checked for fleas and we kept her on the same dry feed as the breeder for 2 weeks then changed it to the food from vets for pets could this be the cause? Any help would be much appreciated thank you

 

Our 11 week old doest this a lot too, again she's just been checked over at the vets.

I think it's just something they do to amuse themselves.

She's taken to trying to eat/ steal the rug we put down for here in the front room now so that's taken her mind off other things!.

 

Hi Tlk, sorry to hear that your pup is so itchy! This isn’t normal behaviour so I’d make an appointment to take your pup to the vet to investigate this. Food allergies can be a cause, but so can things in the environment like pollen. It’s really important to try to soothe and stop the itching and biting as, if it continues, your pup can create sore, bleeding areas that are also prone to infection. The vet can help you with medication (eg antihistamines or steroids) to make your pup feel better and reduce the itching and biting. The vet should also help you work out the cause and to work out ways to manage things so exposure to the cause is minimised.

 

Thanks for the reply I was hoping it was normal until I read the other reply now I’m not so sure

 

Hi thanks so much for the reply we have a appointment with the vet on Thursday so will ask about it then .thanks again you have been very helpful

 

I definitely agree it's not normal behaviour. The occasional scratch, sure, but not constant biting and scratching at themselves. Some Labs are prone to itchiness and need medication to keep it at bay. Good luck with it, I hope it's something easy to sort out.

 

I hope so too I feel so sorry for her poor pup thanks for reply

 

I always recommend a bath as a first attempt to soothe the skin. Just as you would wash your hair if your head was itchy. Use a very mild shampoo for sensitive skin.

I also recommend washing her bedding regularly.

I find my dog is far more comfortable sleeping on cotton - we recently changed his nighttime cushion cover to thick cotton and removed the waterproof inner and he’s far more comfortable. Itchiness can also be caused from being hot.

Best of luck. I have an itchy dog and it’s a lifetime of management. Hopefully with yours it will be a simple fix and she won’t continue being itchy. If your vet does recommend cortisone, you’ll have to chat about her jabs (I presume you have one lot left?) because you shouldn’t vaccinate and give cortisone at the same time - they have the opposite effects.

 

My pup became itchy when we first brought her home (Last year! Time flies!).
Didn't know what caused it, vet said maybe something in the garden.
However antihistamine and a soap free shampoo sorted it out very quickly with no recurrence to date.

 

Hi thank you I will definitely try everything that you have advised thanks so much

 

Hi thanks you for your comment I will try the no soap shampoo and antihistamines

 

What kind of antihistamines did you use for your pup? Thanks again everyone for being so helpful

 

You can use Benadryl - but be careful that it's the "pure" version and not one with added anything (such as extra strength, fast acting etc versions). I think the antihistamine in it is diphenhydramine. I use cetirizene dihydrochloride for mine if they need antihistamines, as it's the one I have for myself. I think the branded version is Zirtek. The usual dosage is 1mg per pound of body weight, but call your vet for confirmation that this is appropriate for your dog.

 

Thanks so much snow bunny much appreciated

 

Hi just a quick message to let you know my puppy is doing good now gave her Benadryl and itching has stopped.Thank you so much to everyone who offered advice you have all been very helpful
Thank you