If the dog has fleas and they bites constantly, we can safely suggest the latest treatment in flea control plus the occasional cortisone to relieve the scratching. Atopy, food allergy and contact allergy are much harder to diagnose and treat, but here are a few clues to help you resolve the problem. Inhaled allergies are much more common in the spring and summer when all the trees and flowers bloom, with the dog absolutely biting and scratching himself 24 hours a day. Even if you don't have any fruit trees in your backyard, your neighbor's mango tree could be the culprit. If you have recently changed your carpet cleaner, shampoo, or the kids decided to paint the dog with make-up and the dog just started to scratch you could probably startthinking of a contact allergy.
Food allergies can be as subtle as scratching of the ears without the presence of ear infection.
With a recent food change or food trial you can see if your dog is allergic to the protein in your food. A change from a beef or chicken based diet to lamb and rice to any of the new diets featuring duck, rabbit, fish, or potatoes can make a world of difference. Anal Gland Disease Anal glands are two mall glandular structures found within the rectum, that can fill up with a foul smelling fluid and seem to cause some dogs distress. It has been hypothesized that these glands were evolutionarily as a way to scent the dogs feces with a specific odor so the animal can identify their own feces. Unfortunately due to inbreeding and commercially low fiber diets these glands tent to fill and not express when the dog defecates.