My long-haired cocker mix has been with me for five years, and has scratched right from the beginning. Some periods are more severe than others, but he never gets much relief. I have bought him allergy shots and tried various shampoos in an effort to stop his itching.

I can use hydrocortisone on his belly, where the hair is sparse, and it helps. He seems to itch less in the winter, but on several occasions he has chewed raw wounds on the end of his back and the first few inches of his tail. He is clipped short in the summer, and it makes it easier to deal with, but he still itches.

Any ideas? Thanks.

he could be allergic to fleas. if that's the case, it only takes one bite to start the itching. i had a dog that was allergic to fleas and the vet put her on steroids for the rest of her life. it did help. she lived to be about 16.

Bathing your dog with oatmeal shampoo in cool water may help relieve some of the itching. Never bathe your dog in warm or hot water since that is drying to the skin. Sometimes a change in diet can help. You could try adding an omega fatty acid supplement in your dog's food. I think you should spend a little more money and buy a high quality dog food, high in meat, fatty acid and one packed with good nutrients. Your vet will be able to tell you a good brand.

OTC antihistamines (found on the cold and flu aisle) tend to work rather well to combat the allergic reaction.

It must be an antihistamine ONLY - usually tiny pinkish/reddish pills.

We give one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening during the itchy and scratchy show season (you have a scratchy dog, you understand that).

Shampoo with Baby shampoo - follow with leave in type of conditioner. You may also try Selsun Blue and/or Head n Shoulders - they both have slightly different ingredients.

For the price of $700.00 (here at least) your dog can be given an allergy test to find out what s/he is allergic too.

Ours is allergic to wool, grass, crab grass, and other "weeds" which make up our lawn.

Since yours is seasonal it is most likely a plant that grows/blooms/seeds around this time of the year. Isolating the cause can lead to your being able to remove as much of the cause out of the environment as possible.

Oatmeal bath soak will work for the legs and the belly if you can teach your dog how to lay in the bath tub. You need to follow with a clear water rinse real good and a couple of towels to dry off (pat dry, do not rub it can scratch the itch and irritate the skin).

Garlic and omegas in the food (brewers yeast only if you can rule out that your dog is not allergic to it) and a topical vitamin E application to the belly and "nearly bare" parts helps not only to sooth the skin but to heal the raw/red areas.

NOTE: Ask the Vet on proper dosage for the weight of your dog on all of the above!

One of my cats had such a severe flea alergy that she looked like she went into a scratching frenzie that almost appeared that she was having a fit.

Have you taken your dog to a vet? You didn't mention this.

Dogs (and cats) are succeptible to many different kinds of skin conditions, sometimes but not always involving fleas.

My daughters kitten recently moved from here to Colorado, where they don't have fleas, and we thought her skin condition would go away. It didn't, but my daughter took her to the vet where it was determined the cat had a different sensitivity...she was constantly scratching at her tail and neck, completely obliterating the hair there. The vet was able to diagnose and treat the cat, and since then, she's been healthy and now has a beautiful coat

Have you given a thought to food allergies? This is a new one on me, too.
Skye.