Boxer Dogs Skin Folds Itching

[Sollilly]

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Hi Everyone,

We are after some advice for one of our female boxers that has very bad itching in the skin folds on her face and underneath her chin. She also chews her paws when she can. We have had tests at the vets and they say pollen is the main cause. She is on Apoquel at the moment and we have tried everyting and spent a fortune. We have tried Apple Cider Vinegar, Oatmeal Shampoo, Tea Tree Shampoo. You name it we have tried it. We have two other boxers that are not affecte at all.

We are just hoping that someone may have seen a similar problem and used something that actually works. We would try anything to help our little girl. She is 9 years old and had these issues now for about 2 years.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Inka]

Dogs might come into direct contact with pollen simply by touching pollen-packed plants with their face or feet....so logical to the area where she is being affected.

I had a dog in the past that was pollen allergic, used face and paw wipes.... mixed teasp local honey into the dogs drinking water ( honey has both anti biotic/anti infammatory properties)

• Coconut oil: its antibacterial properties reduce the sensation of itchy skin. Used in combination with fish oil, it can decrease allergic responses your dog might have to pollen.
• Aloe vera: 100% gel form. Due to its anti-inflammatory characteristics, it is just right for treating hot spots and itches.
• Thyme infusion: calms down the skin infections, suitable for the toes and paws
• Oatmeal: Plain simple oatmeal tied into a muslim cloth, soaked in a warm water bath or old washing up bowl and used like you would do a soap to wipe her down ( dip in water wipe, dip in water, wipe so you are not spreading any pollen). I used to do it outside in an old washing up bowl she stood in the 'oatmeal' water. while I wiped her face/body and rinsed her off with the water.

All above in about managing the issue and if it is just pollen activated then it is short term and making her comfortable. As it is caused by an over active immune system I also use 100% pure neem bark powder as the side affect of neem is to regulated the immune system so her immune system is working correctly at optimum levels. I use neem powder added to their food which enables me not to have to use chemical parasite 'preventatives' as it kills/protects from fleas, ticks, mites, worms and means my dogs don't have these additional chemicals in them that can also cause their immune system to over work 'fighting' chemicals instead of looking after and protecting what it should.

 

[JudyN]

I've no experience of this, but could you try walking her in different areas, e.g. woods/lanes rather than grass? You might have to introduce some new entertainments to replace sticking her head into plants. And could booties help with her paws?

 

[Sollilly]

Dogs might come into direct contact with pollen simply by touching pollen-packed plants with their face or feet....so logical to the area where she is being affected.

I had a dog in the past that was pollen allergic, used face and paw wipes.... mixed teasp local honey into the dogs drinking water ( honey has both anti biotic/anti infammatory properties)

• Coconut oil: its antibacterial properties reduce the sensation of itchy skin. Used in combination with fish oil, it can decrease allergic responses your dog might have to pollen.
• Aloe vera: 100% gel form. Due to its anti-inflammatory characteristics, it is just right for treating hot spots and itches.
• Thyme infusion: calms down the skin infections, suitable for the toes and paws
• Oatmeal: Plain simple oatmeal tied into a muslim cloth, soaked in a warm water bath or old washing up bowl and used like you would do a soap to wipe her down ( dip in water wipe, dip in water, wipe so you are not spreading any pollen). I used to do it outside in an old washing up bowl she stood in the 'oatmeal' water. while I wiped her face/body and rinsed her off with the water.

All above in about managing the issue and if it is just pollen activated then it is short term and making her comfortable. As it is caused by an over active immune system I also use 100% pure neem bark powder as the side affect of neem is to regulated the immune system so her immune system is working correctly at optimum levels. I use neem powder added to their food which enables me not to have to use chemical parasite 'preventatives' as it kills/protects from fleas, ticks, mites, worms and means my dogs don't have these additional chemicals in them that can also cause their immune system to over work 'fighting' chemicals instead of looking after and protecting what it should.

 

[Sollilly]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice we will honestly try anything to help he as its just awful to see he so itchy. Some of that stuff I had already tried but the other stuff I have ordered so will try soon and let you know how we get on.

We appreciate your help.

 

[Sollilly]

I've no experience of this, but could you try walking her in different areas, e.g. woods/lanes rather than grass? You might have to introduce some new entertainments to replace sticking her head into plants. And could booties help with her paws?

Hi, We have tried keeping her off the grass and always washing her feet with Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix and some days she can be great and the next day could be really bad even when you get two days with very similar weather conditions. We do live in an area with alot of trees which won't help I was just hoping to be able to do something to counter-act the issues. We have tried different boots and she won't keep them on or she just won't walk. She is a stubborn litle Boxer!

Thanks for your advice

 

[excuseme]

Have you thought of changing her diet.
The itchyness that you mention and chewing of feet sounds familiar , it is often resolved by changing to a raw diet.

 

[Inka]

Have you thought of changing her diet.
The itchyness that you mention and chewing of feet sounds familiar , it is often resolved by changing to a raw diet.

Agree!
OP says the vet has tested and says it is pollen, 'however' the 'symptoms' sound more like 'ingredients in kibble' allergies and raw is more than likely to resolve that.

 

[Sollilly]

Agree!
OP says the vet has tested and says it is pollen, 'however' the 'symptoms' sound more like 'ingredients in kibble' allergies and raw is more than likely to resolve that.

She has been on the diet trials being on raw food and also tried on Hypoallergenic dog food and seen no change at all. I would love to stop or lessen the itch and that is why we are trying on here really just hoping that someone may have seen something similar and been able to resove it.