Hi, I have a bitch, who is nearly 5 weeks in whelp, and over the past few days she has developed a seriously itchy skin. She has no rash or skin lesions of any kind, and doesn't appear to have any external parasites. The itch doesn't seem to be resricted to any specific area, more a generalised hyper-sensitivity. She has never had skin problems at all or allergies of any kind, but I am wondering if this could be a food allergy. She is on Royal Canin's HT42D at the moment, as I've used this previously on pregnant bitches and have been very happy with it. She is so itchy, that it's impossible to touch her without causing a mad spasm of frenzied scratching. With her being in pup, I am reluctant to give her medication and not keen to start changing her diet , but I clearly need to do something as she is so uncomfortable. Has anyone ever encountered a bitch developing hyper-sensitive skin when pregnant and any suggestions as to what I should do? Thanks.

Jaydee

please take her to the vet - trying to second guess what is wrong is often OK with very minor ailments but you describe your bitch to be in extreme discomfort and IMO that necessitates an examination by a professional - even were she not in whelp!

It may be nothing but there is a serious condition in pregnancy which is characterised by itchy skin, your vet would be able to put your mind at rest ;)

Hi

I have a bitch who went a bit sensitive to the touch during pregnancy, I put it down to food as I had moved her onto Royal Canin starter.
Again same as yourself couldn't find any parasite and neither could the vet they suggested monotoring her she didn't get any worse but didn't get better either.  She had four pups of her own and when they were 10days old she took on another two foster pups for 5 days, by the time her pups were 5 weeks she was bald and  had developed little scabs/spots on her body.  When I took her to the vet she was diagnosed with pyoderma as a secondary infection which affected the hair folicles as well.  It was all due to her being run down giving her all to her pups and keeping nothing for herself.

She was given a two week course of antibiotics and now almost four weeks on I can feel the new hair growth, she no longer ripples her skin when you touch her and most importantly she is playing with her pups and the other dogs in the house again.

Hope your girl is better soon.

Thanks for your replies. Will have a word with the vet first thing tomorrow morning. "sensitive to the touch" is exactly how I would describe my girl. She is perfectly fine when she is resting or just sitting there, but the itch is triggered by petting her, or if my other girl brushes or knocks against her. At the moment we are trying to avoid any physical contact with her, which is such a shame as she loves a cuddle. She finishes on this food next week, so it will be interesting to see if she improves with a change of diet.

Jaydee,

regardless of you not having this investigated so far (which I've given my views on) if you think it's the food why would you even contemplate keeping her on it for another week

As others have said it's always easier to have your vet check your girl than for people here to try and guess, your vet will have hands on where we can't.  Hope it turns out to be something so simple as change of diet.  Let us know how she gets on at the vet.

The condition in pregnancy (humans) is called Cholestasis and is very serious if not treated (can cause stillbirth) . Normally picked up in women who become very itchy without a cause and its diagnosed by doing Liver function test and bile acids.

Not sure if dogs can it so def needs vet check. Not to able to touch her at all sounds more than just sensitive.

Hi Lorripop

Thanks for the info, not something I had heard of.

Just back from the vet, who has had a look at my girl, but couldn't find any evident cause for such itchiness. She confirmed that there is a serious condition occurs in pregnancy, characterised by an itchy skin (of which I was unaware), but that my girl would appear unwell in herself, off her food and subdued. Whereas, my girl is eating for England, and appears in excellent health and condition. Vet suggested it may be that she has developed an allergy, or a hormonally triggered sensitivity to something in her environment, or possibly cheyletiella, tho' can't see anything, but apparantly the dandruffy appearance doesn't show early on. Have now got Stronghold to treat her, and anti-histamine, and will try to work out what she could be allergic to. I'd be very surprised if it was the food, as I have been using it for several years and never had a problem. The only unusual thing I can think of that she's been in contact with physically was when she had a scan last weekend she had her tummy clipped and smeared with gel, but I sponged her down as soon as we got home. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions, and I'll keep her condition monitored, and hope that this itch soon settles down.

Hi Jaydee

Glad the vet found nothing alarming.

My girl was treated with stronghold as well, and I was going in circles after the first week trying to
find anything that had changed in her enviroment that could have triggered it all off. 

Look forward to hearing the news in four weeks that she has kept you busy and has a lovely litter of pups.

one of my girls was itchy around her head during pregnancy as soon as puppies were born it disappeared , vet was happy with her at the time, my breed has long hair and she did thin out her fringe with the scratching.

Glad to hear its nothing to be concerned about good luck for the next few weeks .

Roni