Remedies for dog's skin irritation?

My 13 year old yorkie has always had senstive skin, in fact she is allergic to fleas and breaks out in a bad rash. Now as she is getting older I am noticing her skin is dry and flaky. I am postive that she doesn't have fleas and she is clean, but she frequently scratches her back on the carpet. It looks adorable, but I'm sure she's uncomfortable.





Any suggestions on shampoos (store bought or homemade) or other products that can help her?

Remedies for dog's skin irritation?
Yeah, I've known a number of Yorkies, Westies and terriers with persistent skin problems. Very common. I've worked with groomers, bathed dogs, and owned an elderly schnauzer mix and a wire-fox terrier with the same problem. Many shampoos can really dry the skin, so look for one for sensitive skin, probably termed "medicated." Vets will often direct you to some quite pricey versions....not sure that's necessary, but if you can afford it, fine. Also, I've had the best luck with a very common product, Sulfodene-- sold in any pet store and even in supermarkets. It's an old time-tested product that's worked the best for me for all of my dogs. Also, try a benedril once a day, or a generic, (over the counter) ---does wonders for the itching, and every vet I've known says it is perfectly fine to give one daily to a dog. Also relaxes them and lets them sleep better. Bennies really help and can save your sanity. Our dog used to scratch her back relentlessly on the wooden supports under the bed, even getting splinters in her back! A bennie allowed her to sleep peacefully. You've made sure your dog doesn't have a skin infection, right? A vet can tell you. Antiobiotics might be needed in that case, But most likely your dog is simply allergic, to insect bites, grasses, pollens, whatever. (One flea and my terrier would be tormented-- allergic.) So, my suggestion is a soothing medicated shampoo, Sulfodene, and Benedril. You might check Drs. Foster and Smith enormous catalog of pet items and their site for the shampoo. DrsFosterSmith.com
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Reply:use a puppy shampoo...it's very gentle to the skin. start using linatone on her food everyday...get it at walmart or the pet store. use sulfadene on her skin until the linatone kicks in and helps her body produce subaceous skin oils. best of luck with this. oh, if you can't find linatone, ask for essential fatty acid food supplement oil. and be absolutely sure there are no fleas around...it only takes the bite of one flea to get the flea allergy kicked up again.
Reply:She may be allergic to her food. Many dogs are allergic to grains or additives in commercial dog food. I would suggest that you ask your vet or try Wysong dog food. It's high quality food made from human quality foods and has wonderful supplements. http://www.wysong.net/page/WOTTPWS/CTGY/...
Reply:I think that's a common terrier type ailment.


My westie gets rashes easy and they go away with more baths (she's white and lovesss the dirt) and I will spray some Dermoplast and rub it in to sooth the itch and it has topical anitbiotics in it...wow it heals quick! Peace.
Reply:i know it like really old fashioned but give a bath with regular ol' oatmeal (not cooked)
Reply:She may have a thyroid problem or allergies.Next time you take her to the vet ask them about that.
Reply:Your Yorkie may have an allergy of probably food or environmental allergy (atopy). Which of them is causing the problem is hard to identify. So you can only identify them by trial and elimination. With food, the most allergenic is beef. For the environment, it can be dust, carpet mites, pollen or whatever. So try first food. Dont give anything from beef origin like beef meat, or beef jerky or milk or cheese. If your dog gets well, then that is the culprit. The trial would take about 3 weeks and see if there is an improvement. If not try eliminate chicken and return the beef. Try and try until you find the cause. Because even if you go to the vet, the same advice you would get. Or the vet himself will give you a prescription diet for allergy. But don't eliminate fleas as cause because for very sensitive dog or even cat, one flea alone could cause a severe reaction. Just to avoid worrying if it is fleas or not, have him applied Frontline or Advantage, for his protection.