Hi
I have a lakeland terrier who is 10 weeks old. He has had his 1st injection and gets the next one on Tuesday.
On Monday he started scratching and I though maybe he had fleas, he had been given anti flea treatment but as it said on the lable I could do it again after 7 days I re did it. The following day he was scratching more than ever so I took him to see the vet, which was Tuesday just gone. She had a look at him and could not find any fleas but sait it could be mites, so she put some lotion on which kills fleas and mites.
He did start easing off the scratching a bit, but as I am writing here now he is scratching really bad. Its like every two minuites and to be honest its making me feel loppy lol.
He seems to be scratching in just two places which is on either side of his tummy, so if it were mites/fleas it ould be in different places wouldnt it? What frightens me is that he is going to be very sore with continually scratching. I spoke to a friend about this and she said something about getting him back to the vet and get his thyroid tested, because her dog used to scratch in the same place and that was the problem.
So what I really would like to ask is has anybody got any clues as to what could be wrong?
and does it sound as though the thyroid thing could be right?
The vet told me to take the dog back on Tuesday and she will have another look and check how he is doing and also give him his second injection. But to be honest I am phoning them tomorrow as this scratching is really bugging me.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi

From your posting it doesn't say as to when your pup had his first injection. However, it sounds very much as though he has a reaction to his vaccination. IT is extremely common for dogs to react to their vaccinations and many people that I know dont' vaccinate their dogs anymore (other than their first puppy ones, although some dont even give those) as they are experienced breeders who have seen too many reactions in their dogs caused by their vaccines. Which are typically scratching themselves stupid. The trouble is that vets don't tend to 'believe' that things like this can be caused by the jabs. As 80% of their annual income is received from giving annual boosters they're not going to admit that it could be the problem (unless you have a fabulous, 'non standard' vet).

Could this be the cause? You would probably see a reaction with 24 hours to the jabs if that's what it is? Otherwise I wouldn't say it was thyroid unless there were other symptoms - but you seem to be saying he is otherwise very healthy but just won't stop scratching, but it could be an allergy to something. How long have you had him? Has he just joined the household? IT could be the detergent you are washing his bed in, his food or literally anything.

Best wishes

Jen

Hi thanks for your reply.
He had his 1st injection over a week ago, he has his next on tuesday which is 2 weeks since his last. So going by what you said its not that.
We have had him for just over two weeks. He has had the same food, same routine etc since we got him. I did bath him on the 2nd day we got him because he was dirty as he rolled in the mud and as far as im aware I did get all the shampoo off him (it was puppy shampoo).
He has a off cut of carpet in the bottom of his bed which is hoovered daily, sometimes twice a day. I use a non bio soap powder which is a gentle type.
To be honest we have done nothing different and he just started scratching. This morning he is not as bad, although he is still having a few little scratches so when he does start scratching im trying to get him to play, just to distract him from actually scratching.
I was going to the vets this morning but seeing as he has calmed down a bit I will leave it till Tuesday as long as he does not get too bad again.
If it were thyroid what things should I be looking out for, that way I could monitor him till Tuesday and jot any things down for the vet.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Hi

Dont' discount the vaccines triggering a reaction. I have a setter who was in fabulous health until she had her boosters and a month later she developed terrible allergies to anything and everything and scratched herself stupid till she was red, raw and bald. Since then we've decided will never give any of our dogs their boosters or feed them commercial food. Can the symptoms be seasonal allergies? Can the hot weather be the cause of his itchies? Many dogs have allergies like we do to pollen. It can bring hot spots, itchies, face rubbing on the carpet or bedding and nibbling of body and feet, one or all of them. Can it be that it is wet (well it is here!) today and the pollen isn't around so much? It has been quite warm the last week or so in the UK, could it be linked to that?

Hypothyroid symptoms can be varied but typically they are lethargy, weight gain, 'depressed' looking, & skin problems or hair loss and it is most common in dogs over the age of 2.

Just some ideas...

Best wishes

Jen

It has been fairly warm here recently and today it is slightly cooler and a bit damp, so maybe that is what has been the problem. He has improved from yesterday as he has only been scratching a few times.
Im probably worrying about nothing but he is my baby lol.
I am also new to having dogs, I had a dog many years ago but I have no experience as far as puppies go. So it is going to be challenging and no doubt I will be back to ask for help/advice on a lot more things.

Thank you very much for your help, its seems as though you are a great group here and im glad I found these boards.