My dog (miniature Poodle) keeps chewing his hair off his hine quarters, how do I

1. 72

   R.Cochranposted 14 years ago

   My dog (miniature Poodle) keeps chewing his hair off his hine quarters, how do I stop this?
   
   We have tried Dinovite, which my dog won't eat, sulfodine which only give him temporary relief and even bathing him once every other day. Anyone have a better way to remedy this?
   
   

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2. 60

   FrugalGalposted 14 years ago

   Could be a food allergy. We found out after watching our dog suffer for 12 years that she is gluten intolerant. Removed wheat from her diet and her skin cleared up within three weeks.

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3. 67

   heavenbound5511posted 14 years ago

   My friend's dog kept doing this and he gave her 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and with in about 3 wks her fur grew back and her skin isn't bothering her anymore.
   For a miniature poodle I'd only give 1 teaspoon of oil on it's food. Any type of cooking oil can be used in your dogs food.
   
   *Too many baths can irritate the skin even more assuming it's not fleas.
   
   Also look at natural medicines for animals online http://www.wolfcreekranch.net/animalhealth.html

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4. 72

   R.Cochranposted 14 years ago

   thank you all for your suggestions, I will take the advise well and do what I can.

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5. 60

   Glosheiposted 14 years ago

   Hi,
   Have you tried putting one of those funnels on him, you know the ones the vet uses to stop them biting their stitches.
   Don't keep it on all the time, but each time he starts biting put the collar on with a sharp NO! then when he calms down take it off.
   It won't happen over night but I tried this with are half Poodle half Bijon which was a rescue but eventully she got to recognise the NO!. and did stop.
   I hope this has helped it may be better then trying different stuff for him to eat.
   
   Good Luck,
   Gloshei

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6. 68

   psycheskinnerposted 14 years ago

   You need to diagnose the underlying cause which can be anything from a flea alergy to an environmental poison or neurological disorder.  Get thee to a veterinarian.

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7. 60

   Tirzah Laughsposted 14 years ago

   The dog has another issue going on that has to be treated.
   
   First, check for fleas.  Even clean dogs sometimes get fleas and if a dog has a bad allergy to flea bites then a SINGLE flea bite can cause horrible itching and eventual hair loss.
   
   Second, harder to diagnose is food allergies.  Easiest way is to wean them off their dog food (it takes two to four weeks).  Change their food to something non-wheat/non-corn based for a month. If you have a Dollar General Store nearby, you can switch the dog to canned chicken in water for a few weeks.  Costs about a dollar a day.   If in a month, her skin starts to heal, you know the problem and can buy a allergy dog food.  Unless you believe it's a chicken allegy.  My one dog has a pork allergy.   Then you will need an allergy dog food like duck/potato or rice/turkey.  Check for bi-products.  NO WHEAT.  That is usually an issue.
   
   Third, mold, wool, grass or other odd allergies.    I had a dog allergic to grass.  Laying in the yard, he'd dig his belly raw.   Go figure.  If that's the issue, see if the itching is only certain times of the year.  If it disappears in the winter, then it may be something in the yard.   Chloraphenamine (spelling?) ...the little yellow allergy pill may help during the height of the season.
   
   Fourth, hot spots.  Harder to treat but also usually reaction based to something she's exposed too.
   
   Fifth,  mental issue.  She licks and chews out of boredom or nervousness.   Depends on your dog's temperment.  Usually an anti-anxiety med and more exercise help.
   
   Sixth, skin mites.  Only a vet can diagnose this and only a vet can treat this.  You can't see them, they get under the skin and cause irritation.
   
   As for the e-collar, could you imagine itching incessantly and not being able to scratch?
   
   Try the food first, it's the easiest to diagnose (although harder to treat).
   
   Treatments:  Allergy pills, steroids (don't work well), change her diet, run an antibotic after clearing up the cause.   For dry skin, supplement with Vitamin E capsules.
   
   Try changing her diet, see if after a month that helped.

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8. 0

   Lynn S. Murphyposted 14 years ago

   i had a dog we rescued from a drainage ditch and was chomping her skin off. we gave her cod liver oil and that stopped the itching and gave her a new and improved coat. if you bath a dog too much you mess w/the natural oils in their coat and cause dryness as well.

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