Skip to content

Scratching & itching like crazy!

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Can someone please help? Lewie has started scratching himself with his hind feet to right behind his shoulders… He seems to itch so much that he frequently has to scratch in mid-walk... It seems like it's really bothering him. There is nothing on his skin and no fleas (knock on wood)... We haven't changed food or treats recently, so I'm not really suspect of that. I don't really want to give him medication unless it's the last resort.

    Ideas?

  • It can take years sometimes for a food allergy to really show itself. Any shots given recently? And while he might not have any fleas that you can find, doesn't mean that he was not bitten by one or some other type of bug/spider

  • One flea is enough to cause a problem. You may never see it. And so can dry skin, a big bite and many other things. I would rub a little cortaid into the area, or give him benedryl for a couple of days. If that doesn't help, you may need to vet to check. Feel the area for heat, hardness, etc, not just look for inflammation or a sore.

  • I had a red Basenji that had that problem pop up and would scratch right behind the shoulders too and would wear the fur away. I believe I determined it to be a food allergy.

  • If all else fails, a thyroid panel might be needed– but typically that is more base of and tail area, all-over etc.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji like cats?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    1 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Make sure you give him a very late snack so his stomach isn't empty. You may also want to try an acid reducer for a few months and see if that stops it. I don't do small meals, but I do 2 regular and 2 snacks because otherwise Cara throws up, often.
  • Shedding like Crazy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    krunzerK
    Maybe Malu is just shedding his puppy coat. It will blow out then his adult coat will grow in.
  • Dogs & warts

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    BARTB
    Yes, it was. Being on the bottom of the foot, it was quite annoying, I guess. He still licks the spot occassionally but I suspect that may be 'cause its still a somewhat fresh wound more than anything else. Amazing that such a small thing could affect his behavior the way it seems to have. I just wish I could have seen something sooner. It was obviously bothering him for quite a while b4 there were any visual (to me) signs. Gosh, makes me want one of those dog tranlsater collars from the movie "UP"…..'sqirrell' :)
  • Shedding like crazy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    serenjaneS
    @barklessk9: Zak is also shedding like crazy. :D He always blows his coat in February and occassionally in the summer,but usually not until Sept. I highly recommend the Furminator - it works great! Thank you so much. I bought a Furminator and it works great. I also bought the shampoo and daily spray. I also read an article which advises useing lanolin or a bit of olive oil on the coats of dogs that shed a lot. After several days it is supposed to help with the shedding.
  • Itching and rash around the neck

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    10k Views
    AJs HumanA
    If he still wears the same collar and it is the culprit, it will irritate already raw skin and prevent complete healing. I know the holidays are usually tight for everyone, but perhaps finding a (maybe no-so-stylish) collar made of a completely different material and without dyes would stop the cycle. That's what eventually worked for Elvira, my cat. If it is confined to one spot where there an item directly touches the skin on a regular basis, it sounds more like contact dermatitis to me. Any creams may exacerbate the situation. If it was a food allergy, I would expect a more widespread problem. I would suggest, if he wears a cloth or nylon collar, get a natural leather collar with stainless steel loops rather than coated brass. Since colorful nylon and cloth seem to be the rage right now, it may be a little more difficult to find. The payoff is the leather collar will last much longer than cloth or nylon. If it is felt a cream or ointment must be used, break open a Vitamin E capsule and rub the goo on his rash. It is odorless and if Kiya feels she must be Little Miss Nursemaid, the Vitamin E will benefit her as well.
  • Hydrocortizone spray for itching?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    @jenwilson: My basenji/whippet mix scratches alot too. I give her a children's benadryl (hidden in peanut butter) daily. It seems to help. She had an allergic reaction to something the Thursday before Christmas. We went to the vet on that Friday and got a steroid shot and pills. It rash cleared up overnight and hasn't returned. We still don't know what she is allergic too. The vet did suggest the benadryl and I would rather do that daily and hopefully not have to give her anymore steroids. Food allergy perhaps? We had that problem with one and it was anything with wheat flour in it. Little skin rashes or hot spots. I guess it could be any number of things.