My new dog is scratching and biting. What can I do before the vet?

Question

I adopted a Beagle (I think he's a mix) about two days ago. Although I have given him a bath, he's been scracthing ever since I brought him home. He tends to scratch at his collar, as well as bite his paws and bite/lick his groin area. He seems to have lost a lot of fur around his penis, and when I was bathing him, he would not let me touch his paws that much. Is he in pain? What can I do to soothe him until we see the vet tomorrow?

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Congrats on your new dog, but I'm sorry that he's not doing well! You can give him an oatmeal bath, as this will temporarily help with his itchiness. He may not be in pain, but he does sound very itchy. This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he 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. During your visit 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.

My new dog is scratching and biting. What can I do before the vet?

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