Itchy dog!

Question
QUESTION: I have a 6 year old desexed female Cocker Spaniel x Springer Spaniel who scratches all over constantly. So much so she has bald spots all over her body, but more concentrated around the eyes and ears, her skin is quite dry and is covered in scabs and these weird little bumps. Her eyes are usually quite weepy and red looking, and she also has a very offensive odour, even after washing and ear cleaning (we use Epi-Otic). We have seen our local vet about this many times, but nothing seems to be working. She has had skin scrapings (which all came up negative for mites), been treated for mange, treated with frontline and advantix for fleas, changed diet and hygiene routines. She usually gets a wash once a week (because she is so smelly) in a hydrobath with tea tree shampoo (maybe the water pressure and blow dry is irritating her as well?), but we have tried not washing her for 2 months to see if that helps and it didn't. She is currently on Cortisone tablets, but they aren't making any noticeable difference. We have been referred to an allergist, but it is a long way to go (12 hour drive round trip) and extremely expensive. She gets lots of exercise, 2 1.5 hour walks a day (probably not enough?), I have noticed she doesn't scratch much on the walks but as soon as we get back in the car she will scratch again. She also poops and passes gas a LOT. She doesn't eat that much, about a cup of Purina Supercoat and a few chicken necks, but she drinks heaps of water (from a water tank which has been filtered). I was thinking maybe is a behaviour thing as well, like anxiety? She gets separation anxiety occasionally, maybe it's connected with that? Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

ANSWER: I'd like to know if your vet has put her on antibiotics?  If so, which one and what was the dose and for how long?

When did this begin?  Has she had her thyroid tested?  Have you tried an antihistimine?
What shampoo are you using?  Is it medicated?  After a bath does the itching cease for a time?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First of all, thank you for your reply. There's not a lot of options for advice where I live, so once again, thank you.
Ok, so she has scratched since we got her at 14 weeks old, but it had gotten severe within the last 2 years. We had another dog in that time who we had since she was 4 weeks (not through the cocker) who also scratched (possibly learned behaviour) who by the time she was 6 months was quite dominant, this led me to think it was like a coping mechanism like chewing your fingernails. Maybe just a coincidence though. We no longer have the other dog, but that made no difference to the scratching.
She had been on antibiotics (dose and brand I have no idea) last year but suffered seizures, so I am a little wary of going down that path. I asked the vet about antihistimines, but he said if cortisone tablets don't work then neither will they. One of the downfalls of living in a small town is no second opinion I guess. Should I demand a trial on them or is that a waste? As far as I know she has never had her thyroid tested.
I think we have tried every single dog shampoo on the market, medicated ones as well. We currently use a tea-tree based one, as it doesn't seem to make her skin as angry looking afterwards and it smells better. There is no noticeable difference in the behaviour after a wash. The constant sound of her scratching and chewing and licking is driving me nuts, I can't imagine how she feels.
So you've given me plenty to ask my vet about, I will endeavour to let you know how I go.

Answer
Erin, forget about testing her thyroid...almost impossible at her age.  If she was over 3 years it's the very first thing a Dermatologist would do.

For your vet to dismiss antihistimines for the reason he did is complete nonsense.  I don't know what's available in Australia..but here (in Canada or US) there's Zyrtec (US) or Reactine (Canada)..same product, different names. (no prescription necessary).  Have a chat with your pharmacist...the ingredient is CETERIZINE..nothing else, don't get anything with a decongestant.  You want 10 mg. tablets.

Also..for an immediate try at comfort...get some colloidal oatmeal powder.  Aveeno makes one but there are generics (again, ask at drugstore).  It's box with packets of "pure colloidal oatmeal" powder...fill the tub with tepid water & mix in one packet...soak her for 10 minutes...longer if you can.  This can give relief for hours or days and it's cumulative..the more times you do it, the longer it's effective.

So talk to the pharmacist..tell him it's for a dog and see if he has it.  Give ONE 10 mg. tablet daily.  The first day I'd give 1/2 tablet in a.m. and if all is well, give the other half at night.  The rare dog can get drowsy... most don't.  Give it a week - dogs don't react to antihistimines as fast as we do.

When you go to the drugstore..take a notebook and write down a list of what they have.
I can look up the various products and give you dosages.

Do you have a health food store there?  Another safe product is pure Aloe Gel...not juice :)...gel.  I use Desert Lily and it's totally safe if they lick it.  Not a drugstore aloe with chemicals, etc. in it.

If you're up to demanding something from your vet you can just tell him you want to try the antihistimine "HYDROXYZINE"...25mg. twice daily.  You can increase if it's helping but not quite enough.  This is a prescription...have no clue why.
Delores