The American Beagler Forum

Doc S,

My 10 year old beagle suddenly began to itch two months ago. He has been to our local vet several times to relive the condition at no avail. He has been treated with predisone(injection), cortisone, antibiotics(injection and pill), ivermectin(for yeast infection). He is eating non-allergetic dog food. He has been given antihistamine and benadryl. He stayed at the vets overnight for 48 hours as a temporary change of environment. We have used all of the topical sprays and ointments. He is now one week into the tratment of ivermectin and is slated to rreturn in 10 days for his second injection. He is to remain on oral tablets of ivermectin for the next 30 days. Most of his itching is contained to the backs of his from elbows and front and rear feet. He has been doing this through both the night and day. He has been isolated from grass and weed. My local vets next course of action is to refer us to a veterinarian dermatologist. The dog has experienced mild seizures in the past but nothing current that we know of.

Any recommendations appreciated.

I would assume that the vet has checked for parasite infestations - you know those little brown hopping things? I had a keeshond that was SEVERELY allergic to flea bites - and we lived in an area that was home to MANY fleas. She would actually PULL huge patches of fur from herself to be raw and bleeding! After we isolated the cause it became a constant battle to "fog" the house - spray the yard and dip the dogs (this was BEFORE the lovely new products like Advantage). After we moved to another area that had no fleas she lived out her life in relative comfort. I might also look to your food, just because it says it's hypoallergic, doesn't mean there is not something in THERE that SHE is allergic to. I've used "hypoallergenic" make up that broke ME out severely. One of my friends had a German Shepherd that had major skin/health problems, so she did a lot of research and eventually tried the BARF diet which cleared up all the Shepherd's problems. There is lots of good information on the web about BARF - and many people use it successfully. Once you get past the idea that "I can't give my dogs RAW chicken" - it can be very good for your pets (some dogs don't do well on it, but all of mine do). I don't strictly adhere to the BARF diet - but also do some "home cooking" - as well as a good quality kibble. Just throwing out a few ideas. Hope you find what's wrong with your baby.

might be dust or carpet mites.....anyone in the house itchin???

Could be as simple as "seasonal allergies". You can set your watch/calander to one of Beagles...every summer, just after our hayfever subsides, good ol' Buddy begins itching and scratching (not the cartoon ). The only real signs are his scratching, his coat seems a little "duller", and his skin gets "flakey". Our vet has tried several medications, pills and/or shots, but they make him lethargic and paranoid. He seems happier being left alone...the only real problem for us (he's a family pet) is cleaning up the additional hair he sheds off. About the time we start getting concerned again, fall rolls around and he's goes back to being his normal self.

Good luck!

If your vet is treating your dog with ivermectin then again after 10 days then the dog is being treated for a parasite infection,,,,,most likely for mange...my dogs are being treated for the same thing the same way...treated 6 of my pups as well....had 1 pup die the other day..most likely due to the ivermectin...this is a strong insecticide and it is a very thin line when treating pups with it.....pups have to be very strong and healthy to survive the treatment...good luck withyour old friend.....


joe t