Two out of my three dogs started scratching alot at the beginning of the week.

To be on the safe side ( no sign of fleas when I checked) I frontlined all three of them.

Three days later they are still scratching. I have checked them over and can't see any signs of a rash so at a loss why they are still scratching.

Haven't changed anything diet/ washing liquid for the beds so reall struggling to think what could be causing it ?

Are they inside more than normal? Is the heating just kicking in during the past week?

You know what struggle I've been through with mine, ended up laying on him holding his legs down to stop him scratching..

I've been at a loss too, advocate, ab's, steroids from the vets, then it dawned on me that he was fine in the summer, so started shoving him outside more during the day and have invested in dermatcon and while it's not cured he appears to be slowly getting better. I'm also trying not to turn the heating on as much.. Not sure if dust mite related as I'm sure they prob get worse when the heatings on??

Have you checked their ears too?

Drives me crazy itchy dogs

If it's sudden onset itching in dogs that haven't suffered with it before then it's most likely to be environmental.  Central heating can exacerbate an itchy dog but isn't usually the whole cause - although the heating going on usually coincides with us keeping windows and doors shut too so dust can be an issue.

Have you been walking in flood water, puddles, or mud?  Depending on your area you can find that a lot of overspill water contains excess amounts of rubbish, farm waste, and sewage at the moment.  Rinse your dogs after each walk with a mild solution of Hibiscrub and see whether that helps.  Remember to dry them as best you can as some dogs get itchy when damp.

We have had our mobile dog groomer out today and Betty has a couple of localised sore patches but the rest of her skin and coat is fine. Bales is fine with no problem at all although the first experience of having a bath then been blasted !

He was quite vocal but came in looking a rather smart !

They fell hook line and sinker in love with him as have most people that have met him :1)

Hi Sue, Which Dermacton have you tried: cream or spray? How effective do you think it is?  I need something for my scratching Cavalier. Thanks, S

Have you changed your washing powder/liquid? 

Might be worth using something hypoallergenic and non-bio, like Surcare, and seeing if that makes a difference.

Otherwise, the other thing to think about is food - what are you feeding?  Food allergies are another cause of scratching.

> Have you changed your washing powder/liquid? 

Gave up using washing powder/liquid for any dog bedding (due to itching), just put it through without on a hot wash.

Because Kai can be a bit funny with sprays I've got the cream, I can really rub it in well, however I've cut his coat right back so I can get right to the skin.
I apply it twice a day and while it's not perfect he's chewing and scratching less and reddening and lumps are going down. I'm hoping that we are now on the road to recovery :-)

Sue and G.Rets I've used the Dermacton spray and the cream.  The spray is a pump action so noiseless but it's simply a more liquid version of the same stuff and isn't that economical.  I find the cream rubs in quite well but if I put it onto my dog whilst he's damp from a wash I get much better coverage and the pot lasts a lot longer. 

One of my dogs has allergy related itching and he has to be washed after every walk (to remove mud in the winter and pollens the rest of the year) - I use a mild solution of Hibiscrub every day - but when he's particularly itchy, or showing red patches then Dermacton really helps :) 

Don't discount fleas yet!  I've had similar trouble with two of mine since about July, used capstar tablets to start with as a precaution as I couldn't find any actual fleas.  No difference.  Took River to the vet, she found a flea straight away (typical!), so they got effipro-d.  No difference.

Since then I've found a few fleas, several on me and they all got Advantage-d yesterday.  Fipronil (the insecticide in frontline and effipro) is becoming less and less effective on fleas, it's being reported more and more all over the country.  Advantage is supposed to be working well still so I'm hoping it does.

Yes my problem started with fleas that a visiting dog brought in. None of the spot-ons that I tried did any good, probably because my dogs swim every day. I bought Comfortis tablets from the vet and Bingo, dying fleas! Wonderful stuff though obviously very potent but, of course, it doesn't wash off. The fleas could be combed out, dying, within 2 hours. However, the Cavalier will not stop scratching & biting herself although it is over 4 weeks since we last had a flea, and I am certain about that.
I guess that the fleas have set up a lasting reaction. I want to try all that I can before the vet prescribes steroids. She has half a Piriton twice daily plus Yumega. We still need help. Her diet hasn't changed. She has always been a bit of an itchy girl. Any ideas please?

Perhaps there is something psychological going on:  You know, the way when we see insects on TV, we start scratching, or if we've had an infestation of (something) (headlice?), we start to think that every small itch is something more.  Perhaps it has become a learnt reaction...?

Have you tried not feeding the Yumega? I only say this because I was given a bottle as a mutual friend who has Newfs has this type of issue and this made it worse, I used it for a bit and Kai flared up but think it may of been a contributing factor.
We've gone down the route of ab's, steroids and advocate and nothing worked. I also have Camrosa but this didn't work and also Malaseb wash, again nothing.. Only this Dermacton has had any positive reaction.. Also Piriton we tried and nothing.. Also making him spend more time outside too appears to help, just wondering of the central heating was making things worse or dust mites? Who knows...

Also made sure all bedding was washed in non bio and also food back to Acana... He's costing me a fortune this boy!!'