HELP-Our Dog is Tearing out all of his hair!
 

We have a 12 year old German Shepard with no major health problems. He used to be a K9 for our local police force. He is a great dog but has recently decided to tear out ALL of the hair he can reach on his body. Resulting in large sores. His vet originally thought it was from a cheap bad flea medicine (Vectra 3D) but after several baths with a vet recommended soap we have no clues as to why he keeps ripping out his hair! We would love to avoid putting him down but he is miserable.

Is something causing your dog to be stressful ? An oatmeal bath may help if his skin is the itchy.

Nothing that we could pin point. Right now we think it may be a skin allergy to some treats but he will rip his hair out until his skin is raw. Even if we put a cone on him. I will try an oatmeal bath. Thank you.

I would try not to feed your dog any treats that come in all kinds of colors, the dyes are not good for pets.

have you changed your food recently? some dogs have allergies to chicken products? any new cleaning products?

Have you been back to the Vet to say the dog is still ripping out hair? Try the oatmeal bath (vinegar and water helps my dog, but the effect is short lived) but I'm afraid for such a severe reaction you are going to find the oatmeal bath does little good. Your Vet needs to see your dog again. So many different things could be the cause; allergies, mange, hormonal imbalance. Personally, to have my dog itchy and physically restrain him from scratching is, IMO, a kind of torture. Yes, you may have to do that but couple it with trying to find out the cause and eliminate the cause too, if you can. Good luck. It's awful to see them in such torment. My boy does have seasonal allergies and is now on Atopica, which works for him.

He is an outdoor dog and always has been. He gets agitated inside but he had never had a problem outside. His food has always been the same but the treats are new and we've decided to stop them. They were "baked treats" you can get from a pet store that look like baked goods. Our vet is at an awe as to what it could be. His blood tests come back normal he has no signs of fleas or mange. We have tried Benadryl which suppresses some of the itching but even with a protective cone he finds a way to year at his skin.

What about any non-food related allergies? plants, new carpet, etc? has there maybe been any recent changes in the family that could have trigger some stress? Sometimes even what we consider to be a "small thing" can mean a lot to them.

Does he get enough exercise? some dogs will pull their hair out if they are bored... what about parasites, has he been tested for any?

He hasn't been exposed to anything unusual that we know of and we have tried to move him inside but he just gets angry and barks at the door until he is let back out. The only thing that has changed in his life is his retirement from working but that was over a year ago and he is out every evening for 2-4 hours.

Maybe your dog is stress out from not working anymore . My hearing dog got very stress out when I took him to be groomed or if I tried to board at a kennel . He was not able to do his job for me and would keep jumping up and down on his hind leg. I was not able to take a trip as I was told my dog could end up from jumping for so long.

Thank you all so much for helping us on this matter and giving some splendid advice. My dad informed me however that Max had passed last evening and an autopsy today revealed a brain tumor which may have caused his constant digging and evidently his passing. He was a great dog and valued member of our family and our police force.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It would have been wonderful for Max to have enjoyed a longer retirement and for you too, of course, to have him with you longer. I'm very sorry.

I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful furboy. :pray::angel2::rip:

I am sorry for the lost of your dog , :rip: Max.

My condolences to you and your family for your loss, Aimee :grouphug:

:candle: Max

Please accept my deepest condolences as well.
:rip: sweet max :candle:

Thank you all so much for your condolences. It means so much to our family. We are all missing him dearly and the police department was deeply saddened as well but we know that him not being in pain anymore is better for him.

At least Max passed knowing he was loved. You guys did all you could to try to help ease his discomfort. Clearly it must have been related to the brain tumour. RIP Max, you were no doubt a true Officer and loved pet. Run pain free at the bridge.