Hi everybody,My dog went to stay at my daughters for a week,and has come back scratching and chewing at herself.I couldnt see,or comb out any fleas,but put an advantage spot on,on,anyway(the house was treated a month ago with acclaim as a precaution,friends itchy dogs sometimes visit)However5 days later she is still as bad.Im thinking of trying diatomaceous earth as I dont want to put any more chemicals on her,.Before using it I did a bit of research and found it can irritate lungs. Just wondered if anyone else has used it,or what your thoughts are.Thankyou.

Have you tried giving her a bath with some mild shampoo (johnsons baby or similar)  It might me that she was a bit allergic to something there.  I would also be tempted to wash any bedding that went with her etc in case something is irritating her rather than it being bugs

I wonder if it is central heating linked? The cold spell means that people are leaving it on longer this year and some dogs start to 'scurf up' if they get to sweaty. One of mine has been itching like mad (she does suffer from a grass/birch pollen allergy which is normally 'gone' by this time of year). When I rechecked her yesterday I noticed that she looked like she was very 'dusty' (under her coat) and appeared to be suffering from 'cradle cap'. Her bed was a little damp from condensation (it's by a radiator). I bathed her and today she is her old self and thankfully, no scratching.

Thankyou both of you.I will try giving her a bath. Should be fun,will be the first time!Thanks again!

Rinse well!

Check the ingredients of your food.  Many seem to be changing to much cheaper recipes and still charging the same prices!  It doesn't always show a difference on the packaging either but have known two people e-mail companies and to be told that their recipe had changed recently :(

I'd say that if her food hasn't changed (check what treats your daughter might have given) then sudden itching is most likely to be caused by contact with an external irritant of some kind.

Was she scratching at your daughters house or just since she's been home?  This is important long term to establish what the cause might be, and prevent a reoccurrence, but either way I'd always suggest you quickly wash an itchy dog to remove allergens from the coat and skin.

If she has broken the skin then you might need topical treatment but otherwise I'd recommend very dilute Hibiscrub rather than any other type of shampoo, and I'd do it daily for a week or so.   You could also try Piriton too, just to help break the itch-scratch-itch cycle, but do check with your vet for dosage and compatibility with any other medication she may be on.

It's worth mentioning that the late spring has altered the hay fever season and brought trees, grasses and flowers all out together.  The very warm weather last week also didn't help and even some non hay fever sufferers have been reporting symptoms.  It could be related...

thankyou!Her skin looks clean and clear,but now I think about it,she did once sratch like mad after I used a carpet freshener.I must ask if she was scratching when she was there.Looks like more baths,then,Gwen,sorry! shes raw fed normally,but had orijen while away,but she is quite used to it. Thanks again!