Hi

we hve had this problem for sometime now. Max our dog has been treated for fleas and has been on various courses of steroids to stop his constant itching. just touching him will cause spasms and the vets appear to be unable to get to the bottom of the problem.

Anyone experienced this with their dog and what treatment worked.

Spasms sound much more serious than just itching. Are you saying his muscles actually seize up and contract?

Where is he itching? If it's around the bottom, he could have worms, which can be quite serious.
http://wormpatrol.co.uk/page/tapeworm/73/221

Good luck... the poor thing doesn't sound too happy. I hope he gets better soon!

Itching is usually an allergy - including flea allergies. But can also be mites/mange.

Do the steroids help? If so, allergy seems most likely. You could try having him tested for the various common allergens, but it is expensive. Might be better to try an exclusion diet (though the allergen could be environmental rather than food)

If not, mites/mange would seem more likely - has he been tested for mange?

The spasm sound more worrying!

What breed is he?

Are the spasm just his muscles flexing as you touch a hot spot ? Duncan does that it just indicates he has sensitive itchy areas.

Sounds like allergies you can have tests done but I am not convinced how much help they are as they don't seem 100 % accurate. Diet or environment or a mixture of both can cause these problems.

hello

regarding the spasms, he wants to scratch himself if you touch an area where he itches. Mainly his stomach area affected. Has been treated with special shampoo and bathed at the vets. It's getting bloody expensive even with pet insurance. Appetite is fine. We're considering changing vets as this has been an ongoing problem. We have had a flea problem and he is upto date with the spot on treatment.

Max is a German shepherd cross aged 12.

And it has only started relatively recently?

Did the steroids help?

Hi there. I have had exactly the same problem and my vet was quite willing to continually charge me for doing absolutely nothing but selling me ludicrous ointments and bath washes, etc.

So what I did was:

1. Get some Stronghold (kills all the mites and things you might not be able to see). This is just in case there's anything he's picking up that you can't see.
2. Try him on antihistamines (I'd probably try this first as it's the cheaper option and it's far more likely to be the cause). You can get a vet to prescribe OR you can get child drugs from the chemist in the form of Piriton which works a treat for my little muttleys!

I had to change vets to get a second opinion and it worked. My dogs (brothers) appear to have grass allergies which start late early Summer and stop around October.

Hopefully that will work for you, too!

Hi Karis

only just seen your reply. Took max to the vets this evening. Now on Stronghold (bloody pricey). Also had an injection to relieve the itching and a stronger course of steroids. If this doesn't work then we will try an alternative vet.

many thanks to everyone for their advice.

Recommend antihistamine and a anti bacterial wash too, wash all bedding and in a couple of days it should make a difference,mits basically an reaction to flea bites my dog had it. She is fine now

Stronghold I think ou can get over the counter at chemists is cheaper

You can't. It's a prescription only product.
You can get a prescription from the vet and get it either from an online pet pharmacy, or from another vets that might do it cheaper. The prescription will cost though.