Itchy Shih Tzu

Question
My 1 year old Shih Tzu, Molly, has been biting at her dew claws and her paws and rear. She has had shots at the vet for 3 months but I don't want her to have long term problems from taking steroids. She doesn't have problem with fleas and is on advantage (works well for her). I know she must have allergies but don't know where to begin and all the vet wants to do is give her shots. She eats Beneful and we bathe her in oatmeal shampoo and oatmeal rinse from pet store. Lately, also, the red tear stains have gotten worse and around her mouth and also her dew claws and paws where she licks and bites. PLEASE help me to help her. I wouldn't let my child suffer this way, I don't want her to.

Answer
Hi Beverly and Molly, yes, I have the answer for your itchy Shih Tzu.  There are a number of things you will need to do for little Molly.  You should see results in about 30 - 60 days.
Glad you did have the Vet take a look at Molly.  Let's try some Natural Options:

( ASK your VET about Giving Bendryl, rather than the shots?)
You can also ask your VET about giving (1) Benadryl 25 mg at bedtime each day.
Just until the Supplements and food takes effect:

Here is a Home-cooking recipe -
No more Beneful - NOT a good food at all...

2 pounds of ground chicken ( cook)  ( use a skillet and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil)
1  cup broccoli, ( Steamed and grated)
1/2 cup of peas - Mash after cooking
1 cup rice cooked  ( white rice is fine) ( boil then add to chicken)
1 sweet potato ( cooked and  Mashed )  
1 Teaspoon  of bone meal  ( You can get this at health food stores or On-line)
**** 1 NuVET wafer  (per day)- Dog vitamin supplement

Feed 1/2 cup in the am and 1/2 cup in the Pm  
( total of 1 cups per day)
You can give a little more if needed???  Add an x-tra 1/4 to the Am feeding.


You can also use Cooked ground Lamb in place of chicken.


NuVET wafers:
Please see my itchy dog page and NuVET:  Excellent Supplement:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html



Last - Probiotics:

Please make sure she is on some PEARLS - Probiotic....
You can buy PEARLS here or at Walgreens and CVS:  ( Give 1 PEARL per day for 90 days)
http://astore.amazon.com/asthpenu-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=53
This is NOT a drug -
You should let your VET know that you are giving Natural Supplements.


Shampoo,  the Oatmeal dog shampoos are good.  I like the one from the NuVET folks -
Just make sure you look for a Natural and Holistic Brand...
Only give her a bath every 10 days.
In between baths, use unscented Huggies BABY wipes.

HOPE this helps...

Keep me posted

Marie Peppers LPN Ma
mtnmom@gci.net