frustrated!!

[jbaker11]

I have a lab/hound mix that will be a year at the end of this month and she has a whole array of issues. I work in a veterinary hospital so i'm no dummy when it comes to dogs, however, after bringing her in several times I feel that I need a second opinion. First off, she smells awful all the time, her skin and fur has this odor that just smells like infection. her breath always smells metallic, and she scratches herself to death 24/7. I've done almost everything to help stop her from being itchy, she's on a very expensive hypoallergenic food, i do not give her any treats/human food/rawhides. she also has an infection in her right eye from scratching it so much. shes been on triple antibiotic steroids for 2 weeks now and it hasn't helped AT ALL. shes absolutely miserable and I don't know to get her some relief.  ive given her benedryl and medicated baths also. the vet says its just allergies and it's not a big deal, well to me it is and I think there is more going on and the doctor wont take it seriously. any suggestions??

[Misfits4Me]

Sounds like a systematic Yeast Infection to me.......Karla

[furmomof5]

I feel for you!!!  

My lab/pitbull mix is exactly the same way, itchy and smelly!  I have the itching slightly under control with a food change.  I took him off the expensive hypo allergenic vet food and put him on Wellness Core.  It seems to be helping a great deal.  I also bath him in Selson Blue (yes, the stuff for people) but only in his itchy areas (which is all over).  He also gets a Zertec in the morning and the evening.  All of this is just a temporary fix until I can save up the money for allergy testing, which is what I recommend you try looking into because of your dogs young age.  You have along road ahead of you with itching and finding out what is causing it is really the best thing to do.  

[Jerry_NJ]

Sounds familiar - but I am surprised to read about this type of problems with a mixed breed, they are usually "bullet proof".. or are in my past experience with many  mixed breed dogs.

You didn't mention yeast infection, sounds like that could be one aspect.  We use ketoconozole (sp?) medicated shampoo and our do is now also taking a keto tablet and an antibiotic (we I went for the expensive slow release antibiotic shot as he is he-- to get a pill down and he doesn't care much for his prescription dog vood Hills Z/D)  yes we too are looking for a food allergy, maybe protein based. He has been on "grain free" Kibble for months and sitll had problems.

He is responding well to the current treatment, but who knows what will happen when we take him off prescription meds.

I have tried benedryl to no effect.