Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am adopted a 10mo neut labx about a month ago. I noticed he was biting/nibbling/licking his rump/tail/hind legs and licking his inner thighs alot but thought a change from the kibble he was on to a raw diet (I am avoiding chicken/lamb which was in his kibble)no grains or root veggies plus salmon oil/borage oil/VitB/C/E/cod liver oil/zinc would do the trick. But if anything he seems to be worse the last 24 hours. I did have him checked at vet when I got him and no fleas/worms/mites etc. I have an appt with our holistic vet next week but desperately need some ideas to help him in the meantime. I have been swabbing areas he seems to get at with different herbal teas plus some Lily of Desert aloe gel (for internal use but I use it externally). I am also giving some herbal licorice glycerite. He has no sore places or loss of fur (so far). Any help for him is so appreciated, I don't like to think he is suffering when he has to itch. It seems worse first thing in the early morning for some reason. He sleeps on my bed but cover is cotton and we sleep with windows open. I use no chemicals in my house plus he had this problem before he came here. I guess I am disappointed that I am not getting him better. Thanks
Brit

I'm sorry to hear your dog is itching so much. Have you tried DermCaps or an oatmeal bath? I'm sure others who have had more experience with this problem will post advice soon.

If you are using sufficient quantities of the various supplements, they should be helping, provided:
it is not due to low thyroid output, and,
you are not using DGL licorice.
So determine if the quantities you are giving are sufficient and you are using the right licorice extract, and if all that is in order, have a thyroid panel run.

thank you for responses. I am using a regular licorice glycerite, been using a dropperful 2xday, he weighs 50lbs. Have been giving total 4 1,000mg salmon oil caps/1 500mg borage oil cap/400IU vitamin E/1/2tsp Carlsons cod liver oil (500IU A/200D). today for breakfast had canned salmon (I rinsed off salt) and for dinner raw ground turkey/zuccini. I also make a strong nettle tea (heaping tsp dried nettles/1/4 cup boiling water)over each meal. A total (split into two servings)50mg B complex/500mg Ester C. I bathed him today with a new pure shampoo with essential oils and left a final rinse on that contained oatmeal water/calendula and plantain tea/dropperful Neem. He did have a sore looking area in his groin last night from licking. I put some pure aloe gel mixed with neem on it. Btw is ok if he licks the neem? I think his itching had worsened since he came here and we do have the holistic vet appt next week so hopefully it won't get worse (for instance he has been sleeping for several hours and no itching as I don't want him to suffer and not sure when one might assume he is. I feel if he has many hours between itching its ok? Thank you for helping him. I think I mentioned in original post that the poor dog got a huge vax package in May prior to my adopting him which probably did a number on his immune system plus he was dumped at shelter at a few months old apparently
Brit

Licking Neem is not harmful, but the licking itself might irritate the area. Calendula ointment or diluted calendula tincture might calm down the itching more than the aloe and neem. You might try increasing the fish oil, giving 1 tsp twice a day. I prefer the liquid, as that is the equivalent of 10 of the softgels you are giving. I think you should have a thyroid panel run when youm see the holistic vet.