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Dog scratching, licking, red bumps: anti-itch isn't helping. Why?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 28 lbs

My dog has been scratching/licking/biting himself nonstop for more than 2 months now. I got him an anti itch shampoo and i put anti itch ointment with coconut oil on his skin but he just licks it off. It is itritated with large red bumps l.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 15th, 2017

This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. Coconut oil will not help with these causes. If Patton isn't up to date on his flea treatment, he will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It sounds like he has some allergies and may need some oral medications to help. He may need an anti-histamine, antibiotic, corticosteroid, or other medications. Have your vet take a look at him to determine the exact cause and prescribe medications to help treat. Your vet can do a skin scrape, cytology, or culture to diagnose and then determine the best medications. You could also try a hypoallergenic diet, like d/d or z/d, and see if that helps. You could also bathe him with a medicated dog shampoo, like Epi-soothe, and add Free Form Snip Tips to his diet to help keep his skin and coat healthy. Make sure you are using a monthly flea prevention, like NexGard or Frontline, to help prevent fleas and ticks.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 16th, 2017

    Scratching can be caused by various reasons such as fleas, mites ,fungal infection, bacterial infection and allergies. the first 4 needs to be ruled out before we start treating for allergies. in order to do that first de-flea Rocky with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take him to the vet in order to check for/treat the other possibilities. If everything is ruled out, then an allergy treatment can be started. Usually an hypoallergenic food is a good way to start together with anti histamines. if it doesn't help - the best solution is a medication called Apoquel which treats allergies with great success and without side effects.

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