Expert: Jannie Balliett - 8/9/2010

Question
I have a pedigreed boxer (Tyson) that had mites when he was young.  Four months worth of medicine and that problem was solved. He is now 15 months old and has terrible itching.  He has bloody scabs where he scratches himself on the neck and under the arms (legs).  The vet put him on keflex and he didn't scratch while on the medicine.  Now that he is off the medicine he is back to licking and scratching.  I don't want him on medicine all his life.  He eats good dog food without corn or wheat.   Any suggestions? He is very active and plays without scratching.

Answer
He has allergies or mites again.

Your vet has to determine the type of allergy.

You can try a particular dog food to test the food allergy.

Buy a lamb and rice (natural, no added ingredients) for allergic dogs. Or better, the sweet potato dog food.

Let him eat that to clear up the itching problem. Then slowly introduce a natural dog food with no additives, no corn, no glutens, and see how his skin does then. It can take a month.

In the meantime, ask your vet the proper dosage for Benadryl. It will help alleviate the itching while on the sweet potato dog food.