SYNCHRONIZED SCRATCHING!

If there was an award for the most dogs that could scratch, simultaneously, for months, 

MINE WOULD WIN!

 My dogs have been experiencing horrible itching problems, since before the Olympics!  I feel that I've tried everything.

All of my papillons have been on a flea preventative program, for years.  Just in case they develop a resistance to it, I may use a different product every 4 - 6 months, for only a month.

I prefer to use Comfortis.  It's easy to mix in with their food and doesn't make a matted or oily mess, in their fur.  My vet no longer sells Frontline.  They'd had numerous complaints.  The product does not seem as effective, as it used to be. 

It was suggested that I try Vectra and I have to say that it did not work for me.  I saw a couple of fleas, returned the unused product and went back to the Comfortis.  My vet no longer sells Vectra either, so there must have been more clients that had problems.  (With the amount of liquid that you have to apply to the dog, you'd think it would work better than all topical flea fighters!)

My dogs began their itching over the summer, prior to the experiment with the Vectra.  I thought it was a  dry skin problem.  I saw no fleas on them or in the house.  I bathed them with a super rich oatmeal shampoo.  The scratching continued.

Next, I used a different oatmeal shampoo and added a moisturizing  conditioner, as well.  Each time that I bathed them, I gave them their flea preventative and cleaned the house, including their dog beds, crates and other sleeping areas.

When all of them continued to itch, I thought that perhaps I was missing the fleas, so I used some Advantage.  Of course I washed all of their bedding and vacummed all surfaces, including the couch, chairs, beds etc.

The itching continued another month, so not only did I give them their Comfortis and thoroughly clean the house, but I had the carpets professionally cleaned.  I wet the dogs and applied a moisturizing conditioner, only.  Typically, I only bathe them every six (6) weeks, at the most. 

I began to wonder about their food but not only had they been on BilJak for years but they were ALL itching.   I spoke with my vet and she agreed that it was close to impossible for ALL of them to start having a reaction to their food, at the same time.

I itch and itch!

So itchy! Back Scratch.

At any rate, I went ahead and investigated a number of different foods and decided to add an organic food that has sweet potato in it.  All of my dogs like sweet potatoes.  I needed a new treat, since I had stopped all of the chicken strip treats. (See my article about Toxic Chicken Treats from China http://topdogpicks.com/blog, look at my other blogs below, or check out Hubpages or Squidoo, authored by Top Dog Picks.)

I feel that I have thoroughly researched the chicken jerky problem and HAVE A SOLUTION!  I found a U.S. company and spoke with the owner.  He was kind enough to tell me how and where their products were produced.  I got some samples and MY DOGS LOVE KONA'S CHIPS!   These chicken treats, along with their other products are manufactured in America and I've not only placed a hefty order but I have started to sell them on http://topdogpicks.com/SnacksampSupplements

So, using the dog food with the sweet potato, as a treat, I started adding it to their diet.  I didn't want to upset their digestive system by totally changing their diet and they all like the BilJak.  (That in itself is an accomplishment, when you're feeding 6-8 Papillons.)

Since the dog food is coming from my hand and is not in a bowl, it constitutes as a treat. (That's their thinking, anyway.)  A month later, they still consider it a wonderful treat but they eat more of it.   Now, I throw it all over the floor, when we get home from work.  It's their 'Happy Hour Snack"!  They love to run around  and search for each morsel.  They leave nothing to waste!

The itching continued, so I broke down and took Holly to the vet.  When she scratches herself, she begins to whine.  My vet searched and searched and did find (1) flea.  I was horrified.  Holly could have picked it up outside and the flea medication would have killed it but I did not like the fact that she had found any fleas, ESPECIALLY since I had sworn up and down that there was NO WAY that this could be a flea problem.

What?  Vet?  Why me?

I explained everything that I had been doing to try to resolve the itching and with all of the money that I had spent on flea preventative, the possibility that it could be a flea issue is quite irritating.

The good doctor recommended that I keep them on Comfortis for (3) consecutive months and not switch to another flea medicine.  Trixie, however, has to be changed to advantage because she MAY be pregnant.  (If she is pregnant the pups would be the size of a peanut, so we're not sure.  I understand, from my vet that the studies have not shown  Comfortis to be 100% safe for pregnant dogs.)

Pregnancy Test?

My vet also advised me to apply a leave in conditioner, that they sell!  I had been searching pet stores for this EXACT thing and non of the major stores carry any (PetSmart, PetCo or Pets Plus).  I couldn't remember where I had gotten it.  I'm hoping to to sell one, very soon.  I used to always apply a leave in conditioner, but I ran out, couldn't remember where I had gotten it and went with the oatmeal shampoo.

I took this conditioner with all of the dogs to the groomer.  This is quite costly, but I wanted to make sure that they were well cleaned, that the conditioner was properly applied and the groomer could do a thorough inspection for fleas, as well.  I was hoping to be able to wait for their trimming to take place closer to the holidays, so that they'd be all 'beautified' for their Christmas pictures.  I have also tried to encourage my two (2) legged children to become vets and groomers, to no avail.

I'm happy to say that the groomer found no fleas. They dogs came home and crashed, after their long day at the salon.  There was no scratching which I was thrilled about.  I was also relieved to know that there were no signs of fleas and therefore the house was, most likely, flea free. 

Well, it's been 24 hours and a couple of the dogs have started scratching here and there.  I'm going to try to ride out the vets instructions.  That means that we continue the Comfortis for the (7) and Advantage for Trixie. 

If things get worse, I'll have to contact an exterminator to handle the yard.  If there are fleas outside, I'm hoping that the cold weather will kill them.

Does anyone have any other ideas?  Please feel free to add your recommendations.  I'm open to and and all suggestions!

 In the mean time, wish be luck!  Hopefully, we'll be itch free by Xmas!