I have a shitzu dog, about a week ago I noticed that he had been scratching himself on his side bad enough to cut himself (2 inchx1 inch). Should I be worried? He has scratched himself again tonight badly, and I don't know if he needs the vet or not?

Your dog has sustained an open wound that was self inflected. Such an event would be best attended to by a Vet. There could be allergies, it could be something under the skin, or it could be ringworm...you don't know, and we can't see the dog...most assuredly...you need to call your Vet. An open wound can also become infected and then you can add that to the problem...!

If it is allergies, be aware, while there are allergy tests for animals, they can be both expensive AND as inconclusive as the ones for humans! They can also be WRONG, just like the one's for humans.

Allergies can include: Foods, cleaning products used in the house, lawn chemicals used on the grass, the grass its self or other plant life. Negative reactions to yearly vaccines, flea and tick poisons used on the dog, the shampoo or other types of products used on the dog.

Note: Neems Oil will also rid your dog of fleas, ticks and skeeters...it is NON Toxic and can also be safely used on both children and adult humans. I've used it on horses (West Nile preventative) Hunting dogs (tick magnates in the brush and by streams/creeks) Household pets...dogs and cats, human kids, pregnant women (keeping skeeters off) with fantastic success across the boards and NO negative reactions. You can google it for on line orders or check your local Whole Foods, (where I get mine) or other health food stores. They will often order it for you if they don't currently carry it.

Allergies can also be to carpets, bedding, laundry soaps....you might need to do your own home tests if the Vet considers the problem to be an allergy, rather than spend the money on the tests. My own vet told me about the allergy tests, but advised me NOT to get them for one dog and one cat who both had allergies. He suggested I home test by making changes first...and that worked to solve the problems with both animals.

Best of luck to you and the pooch!

He should probably see the vet. He may have a skin allergy that is causing him to scratch. You should try to cover the foot he uses to scratch with a dog bootie or something so he can't do anymore damage.
Definately get him to the vet before the cut gets infected and your pup becomes ill.