scratching himself like crazy!

My shitzu has been lifting his back leg to scratch for the past week... at first I thought he noticed his testicles and didnt like them (that must sound weird, but thats what it looked like) when we turn him over there is nothing like a tick/flea NOTHING... BUT there looks like it could be a smallish rash mark...

Is there anything at the pet store that you know that would help>

Anyone ever have this with their dogs before?

should I seek a vet and not bother with the 'home' remedies....

Advice please!

thanks

Norton seems to scratch under his collar all the time, I'm guessing it's from it rubbing, or just the fact that he's a dog and just like humans, they scratch.....HOWEVER

If he's scratching himself raw, he could have a rash or skin irritation. I believe it's called 'hot spots'. My old German Shepard had it and he scratched so badly sometimes, he would bleed. You may want to see how it progresses over the next few days......

When I was at the vet last week, someone had brought in their dog because he was rubbing himself raw scratching. She was talking to another guy there whose dog had the same problem and he said that it was because his dog had developed some kind of allergy - I think it was food allergies or something. Not sure if that's what's going on with your dog, but thought I'd pass it along

Our dog had the same thing! It could be an allergic reaction to the food that you're giving him. Or did you change his food to something else? IF you did, you were supposed to wean him off of the old dog food and slowly introduce the dog to the new one. Becareful majority of the dog foods on the market have by-products in them i.e. chicken feet (yes chicken feet), intestines and horrible stuff that you shouldn't be feeding your dog. We went to the vet and he injected our dog with cortisone to stop the itching TEMPORARILY (Who the hell wants TEMP relief).. and the next day he started itching all over again.. so after $200 at the vet.. we took him back to the North Shore Animal League (that's were we adopted him) and they just opened up a clinic and they were really inexpensive. They did a through exam, Vitamins (Omega Fatty 3? Acids) and antibiotics all for $55!

They told us to put Max on Natural Balance, Nutro and/or Wellness Lamb & Rice only.. and after the antibiotics were done and with the new diet, he's back to normal! And another thing that it might is that this the time of season that they start shedding (shed so much that you can make another dog with the extra hair).... Spring & Fall is their 'shedding season' I am a first time mommy to dogs and I'm learning all of this as I go.. and I feel your frustrations! IT probably bugs you not knowing what's wrong.. and the fact that something might be wrong... good luck.. take him/her to a TRUSTED vet.. and figure out what's making them itch.. it could be something around your household that your dog is allergic to? Carpet deoderizer, laudry detergent?? start the elimination process quick! hopefully this was helpful.... keep us posted.