itchy butt?

[annistonsmommy]

Quick question that maybe somebody could answer for me. Lately my dog is itching his butt wherever and however he can. Its not the normal once in awhile itch, he pretty much is going to extremes to itch it!! :( Could he have caught something? Or is this normal?

[chriserb]

Annistonsmommy,

I am no vet, but a couple of questions. Has he been wormed? Is he protected from fleas and tics (I use frontline in the woods in northern NJ, a tic haven, and it works very well) Is he losing hair? Have you looked at the skin in the area? I assume it is irritated, but is there flaking of skin? How much do you bathe him?

This should help everyone to postulate what it could be. Rotts are prone to having very sensative skin, so it could have something to do with that.

Hope this helps,
Chris

[Mojave's Mom]

Is he rubbing his behind on the floor/ground? It may be due to his anal glands being full....how is his bowel movements? Has he been "runny" or constipated lately? I'd check with the vet, if I were you. Good luck!

[Judi W]

Are you talking about the anal area or above the tail? Above the tail, it is usually fleas. Anal area, see the vet.

[gparcels]

I was just wondering the same thing about mine he does not have fleas or any other problems he'll just go outside and pick a pine tree or an evergreen and just go to work is this normal behavior he has always been this way so I just assumed that it is normal..?

[annistonsmommy]

Anniston has been wormed, he is also on revolution from the vet for ticks, fleas, mites and heartworm. He is not losing hair, he just recovered with three negatives from dermadectic mange ( I think I spelled that right)I did look at the skin it was fine, he does have some sort of rash by his "little man" I am not sure if he got biten by red ants or a spider, but I called the vet on that and they told me to apply neosporin,if it didnt go away in a couple of day s to bring him in. he does have dry skin, i give him a bath once a week, but for the past 2 weeks i gave him a bath every 3 days because it has been raining and he smelled bad from it. He does rub his butt on the floor and ground, he also is licking his anal area alot, but there is no irritation there. His stool is normal. I will take him to the vet soon if it continues,

Renee

[Rockys Mom]

Just a suggestion, but if it's fleas itching him, then I've heard that frequent baths can strip the Rottie of its natural skin oil, which helps to hold in those flea/tick treatments like Frontline. I know the "wet dog" smell isn't all that great, but I've tried to keep myself from bathing as often. Now I just groom him frequently which helps a lot. Maybe that will help. :)

[southerncomfort]

Glad the vet trip worked out...an itchy butt is never fun. ;)

[annistonsmommy]

I ended up taking anniston to the vet because the itching was getting worse, he ended up having dermatitis, they gave him some antibiotics and he is doing great!!! They told me not to wash him but only once every 2 weeks if i have to, and once a month if I could hold out which would be better!!! At least its not hotspots!!!!

Renee