How to stop Shadow scratching (?)

[Amy M]

Hi guys, I'm wondering if anyone can offer me any tips on this one. Shadow has a couple of large grazes on the back of his legs which are healing up. I've been cleaning and antiseptic-ing them with a tea tree ointment that we got from the vet for Leo when he had something similar. However, he's obviously very itchy as they are healing and I am a bit concerned he'll scar if he keeps on scratching at them. Any ideas will be gratefully accepted!

[Fiona]

Hi Amy

What do you feed?

[John Thomson]

Hi Amy,
did Shadow injure his legs to cause this? If so what you are doing is correct.......unfortunately as with humans as it starts to heel it gets itchy. The worry is if they scratch or bite is can get worse.
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Amy M]

yup, it's a rambling related injury i think! My best guess is he's slipped down a hill or something. I have a feeling he's going to be one of those dogs that ends up with baldy patches on their joints because he just barrels through bushes without thinking.

I thought I'd ask around in case i was missing out some really obvious step in the treatment process, but I guess I'll just have to keep watching him like a hawk! At least with Shadow he just rolls over and lets you clean him up- Leo would be fighting for the cloth and wriggling about!

[John Thomson]

Amy,
Murphy picked up a similar injury when I threw a ball for him on a tarmac surface........he skidded to a halt and took the fur off his back legs.........he was so interested in the ball he didn't even notice.
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Nicola]

If he is getting fed good quality food and you don't think that could be why he's scratching, then I was suggest giving him a bath with Malaseb shampoo. What breed is he and how old?

You could start with using the Malaseb on the affected, itchy areas to start with, however, if it's not helping, consider bathing all of him with it.