Itching Driving us All Insane

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice or hope. My 13 month old staffy has suffered with bouts of itching since we got him at 15 weeks old. It comes and lasts about 3 weeks then goes for a couple of weeks then comes back again. He's had all the tests done at the vets and everything has come back negative. He's had all the washes going and even steroid tablets but nothing seems to work. We have changed his diet to hypoallergenic for months and still no improvement. The vets seem to be at a loss but as usual want to keep going round in circles making sure the money rolls in. It's not his body, just his paws, face and ears. He keeps cutting his face off the scratching and bleeding and his paws are red raw. He's also been treated for mites but that's not worked either. I've spent many an hour looking online at other peoples experiences but just can't seem to find any new suggestions. It's terribly depressing for him and us.

Don't really know Vicki have you tried giving him half a piriton a day for so long as may be allergy or some Antihistamine cream? I know coconut oil or Aloe Vera could also help. Sorry cant help more than that xx

Inez is right about the antihistamine, it really helps it allergies. Do you wipe him down when he comes inside as pollen can stick to him, making him itchy.

We are waiting for some tests to come back for Bane as he is itchy too!
Coconut Oil seems to help soothe his skin, and his ears cleared up really well when we cleaned them with some Apple Cider Vinegar/water mix, although hasn't cured it.

Have you considered a raw diet? No guarantees but it could help x

Apart from everything else mentioned above, try giving his paws a wash down when you come in from walks, it maybe a grass allergy or a yeast infection. Please take a look at the link below:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx

ahh poor boy,i hope some of the above post suggestions work   

Hope it is sorted out soon

just a thought but could it be the washing powder you use for his bedding

Thanks everyone. Yeah I give him piriton but it makes no difference at all. I also wipe him down and clean his paws when he comes in, still no change. I haven't tried the raw diet yet, mainly because when he has soft food his poos are runny (sorry for tmi) and he's also terribly windy.

It may be worth trying   

Yeah I'm definitely going to give it a go

Have a look at these   

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/barf_and_raw_diets

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/raw_faq

We also have a raw forum

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f125-staffordshire-bull-terrier-raw-food-diets

My friends stafford has exactly the same problem except hers has come back positive to all tests done at vets and she has the highest count of allergies any vet has seen. But to help her she uses a shampoo called episoothe by virbac you can get it from your vets costs about £20. hope this helps. she also bathes her paws i salt water and puts sudacreme on them.

With the raw diet it is supposed to cut down on windiness...when introducing new meats Bane had a few bits of bad wind but since then nothing at all
I've also heard it is good for dogs who often have problems eating dry food eg. runny bums, upset tummies and lace of interest in eating. There are lots of extra natural herb additives you can give them to help with things like itchiness and skin problems too which may be worth a try?