My dog is a complete mess?

Constant itchiness and hot spots usually indicate some kind of allergy. POLLEN and FLEA SALIVA allergies are very common in dogs but aren't the only kind of allergies dogs get. I think your dog needs treatment for his allergies and you need to go to a vet about that. There is a totally new allergy drug for dogs called Apoquel which contains no steroids and is said to work amazingly well. You may want to ask your vet about it. I haven't tried it on a pet and I don't sell it so I don't personally know if it is as good as I have been told but some of my clients are having very excellent results with it.

Pollen allergies come and go and then come back again because different plant pollens that a dog (or person) may be sensitive to release pollen into the air at different times of the year and different times of day. Some release pollen several times a year. This off and on effect leads some people to think that they have "cured" their dogs' problems with a dietary change or a new shampoo when in fact the plants have simply stopped pollinating for a time and the itchiness returns. However, sometimes a dietary change or something as simple as not using fabric softener on the dog's bedding can work wonders. Go to the vet and find out what is the cause, and what to do for your dog.

If you guess about the cause and are wrong, you will only make your dog suffer longer. I have seen dogs with NO HAIR at all from their necks back, their itching got so bad (and was left untreated).

Dogs also get contact allergies, food sensitivities and more. A dog may easily be allergic to more than one thing at a time, as are people.

When you brush your dog, I suggest using the type of slicker brush made for shedding dogs. The "Vista" brush, a black handled, curved slicker with wire pins of different lengths, is very good for this. You can usually find it at Ryans Pet Supply (www.ryanspet.com) or Pet Edge (www.petedge.com). Of course, be careful around all the sore areas. Brush the dog for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time, cleaning the brush out as often as needed. Brush every day.

Deshedding shampoos make dogs shed more, faster. So does bathing in general. You may want to cut way back on the bathing. Once a month is enough for most dogs unless your vet prescribes a special shampoo which should be used more often in order to be effective. Just follow your vet's instructions on that.

Licking and biting at the skin causes the hair to break off or fall out. The dog swallows the hair and has to bring it back up so as to avoid an intestinal blockage (which can be deadly if not treated in time).

Some dogs are helped by being rinsed off with plain water once or twice a week. This helps to rinse pollen off their coats.

I wish you the very best with your dog who will hopefully be itch-free soon.

you could try some coldclear/ coat clear not sure of the name sorry shampoo from the vets as this has greatly helped our labradoodle. apparently a little viniger in their drinking water can help too

The most common reasons for skin issues (i.e. itching, skin irritation, hair loss, etc.) include:

- Allergic reactions to flea bites, food/treats, grooming or house-cleaning products, etc.

- Mites

- Fungal/Bacterial infections (ringworm, yeast, staph etc. that may cause an unpleasant odor)

- Steroid use (also called prednisone, cortisone or the so-called 'allergy shot')

- Bathing too often

Scratching opens the door to skin infections (remedy below).

ALLERGIES

Even if not visible, you can always see the debris fleas leave behind that looks like finely ground coffee. If placed in water, they will turn red. For recommendations see http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Fleas-Naturally Also, you can dust your yard where your dog roams with inexpensive diatomaceous earth. For more info see http://www.care2.com/greenliving/all-around-non-to...

The dog's digestive system is not designed to handle grains well. Discontinue any food/treat with corn, wheat, etc. Get ones with meat as a primary ingredient – chicken, lamb, salmon, etc. If possible, raw meat diet is best http://hbmag.com/healthy-pets-all-about-raw-food/

Discontinue use of potential allergens i.e. grooming or house cleaning products. For a while, use white vinegar as the cleaning agent for your floors, counters, etc. Vinegar has strong cleaning and antiseptic properties and the smell disappears quickly after use. See http://www.vinegarworkswonders.com/faqs.asp

Bathing too often strips the natural oils that protect the skin. Bathing once a month is enough.

MITES

Three types of mites attack dogs most often: demodectic (not contagious and may itch or not), sarcoptic (very contagious and extremely itchy) and cheyletiella (contagious and mildly itchy). This condition is known as mange. The typical symptoms of mange as the condition progresses include hair loss and scaly or crusty skin.

Avoid the medications most often prescribed by vets that contain toxic chemicals which will harm your dog sooner or later. These are Ivermectin (also known as Ivomec) and Amitraz (also known as Mitaban). Instead, I recommend the use of natural products. Search the Internet to find them. I prefer the spray type treatment which is effective, easy to use, and inexpensive that will kill the mites but is harmless to pets and humans. You can get it at http://www.florapetnaturals.com/online-store.html

STEROID USE

Steroids (also called prednisone, cortisone, kenalog or the nondescript “allergy shot”) are very dangerous and do not cure anything. They just mask the symptoms temporarily by suppressing the immune system's normal response and cause undesirable health complications.

As Dr. Karen Becker, DVM states - "Steroids are the least optimal treatment choice, as they work by suppressing your pet’s immune system. Not only can steroids have a negative effect on your pet’s liver, adrenal glands and kidneys, but suppressing your pet’s immune system with steroids also allows for opportunistic yeast and bacteria to grow on your pet’s skin..." Please check the link below:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/a...

SKIN INFECTION REMEDY

For many skin issues I recommend a powder called 'Flowers of Sulfur' (also known as 'brimstone' or 'sublime sulfur').

This substance has been used for thousands of years to cure all kinds of skin ailments including skin infections (fungal or bacterial) and if there is itching, it will stop within a few days. Google it to learn more about its healing properties.

Even vets have forgotten about this wonderful and inexpensive remedy but fortunately you can still purchase it at your local pharmacy for very little money. You can also buy it online at http://www.pennherb.com/search?mp=s&s=Flowers+of+S...

Flowers of sulfur is safe to apply to your pet's skin but take care not to inhale sulfur powder.

You can dust this powder and rub on your dog's skin OR mix it with an oil to rub on the skin. The dusting can be easily accomplished if you use a powdered sugar duster or an empty talcum powder bottle. Separate the hair as you go around dusting to expose the skin until you have covered it.

Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of flowers of sulfur powder with 1/4 cup of Jojoba oil and put it in a bottle. Always shake to mix well before applying to the skin as it tends to separate. This method works well for smaller skin areas. You do not need to wear gloves as it is not toxic to humans either.

Apply daily until the problem clears.