thanks everybody! it's relieving to know i'm not the only one with a semi bald dog walking around!
benedryl usually works for us, it's very frustrating that it isn't this time around! maybe b/c we had to use it so much this summer b/c of his break outs. axle also started peeing upstairs. he's VERY good at telling you when he just HAS to go and it's extremely unusual for him to go. he only does that when his allergies flare up pretty bad. i'm going to try the coconut oil for our first strategy. where can i get it? in the vitamin section with the fish oil? we tried salmon oil this past summer but it didn't work either
how do i tell if it's a hot spot or if he's just plucked it completely raw? is there even a difference? he has that ONE spot on his side, right past his rib cage that he has plucked near bloody. it looks awful though it's gotten better since we turned the air down further. now we're freezing and he's feeling a little better.
i'd rather try natural remedies before medicine, too. axle shows his butt when they want to take blood. shots, they do on the floor, drawing blood? they INSIST on putting him on the table. before he even gets touched by them he's screaming.
axle is the king of flea and pine allergies. when he gets them he's horrible! he will shake the floors, rattle the dishes, etc scratching! we don't have any pine trees right here (and i think they already bloomed for the year, haven't they) though i did see ONE flea on peanut. i got it, gave him his flea stuff, and we gave axle his bath and he didn't have a single flea on him, so i'm not sure if we missed it or if it's just a new allergy.
tricia, axle gets his 3 times a day, also. i may go and get some medicated shampoo (or maybe oatmeal) and use that on him next time. we usually use baby shampoo on him, because it's easy on his skin and he smells good for longer, not to mention he reacts to some shampoos, too.
modified to put we decided not to shave axle b/c his side is tender and he's grouchy about it right now. i don't know if it's his old age, allergies or what (probably a mixture of the two) but holly cow he needs to take a chill pill!