Dry Skin on a Dog

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Last year was the first year my dog Keeper was infested by fleas. Scratch, scratch, scratch, that was all he did.<br /><br />This year we was able to dodge the flea problem with no signs of fleas anywhere. However, now he has dry skin. Its back to scratch, scratch, scratch. He chews off his fur in spots and looks pethetic.<br /><br />We have changed his food, tried conditioners, medicated shampoos etc.<br /><br />Does anyone have a home remedy for this problem? Heating season is upon us and I know that doubles the problem. I would give him a beer bath if I knew that would work. Thanks......SS

 

[Ron G]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

try the beer bath.you can try sulfadine they may help.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Keeper may have one of three types of mange - which is a tiny mite infestation. See this short description here http://www.canismajor.com/dog/mange1.html . Sulfadine may be effective for bacterial infection, but will do little for mites.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Sulfadine is what i use on my dawg...keeps her coat really soft and reduces her scratch time.

 

[KRS]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

YOu can add stuff on the outside of your dog all you want, but you need to add some oil (fat) inside too... try pouring a little oil on his food before you feed him, those oils will excrete through his skin and nourish it, just like us humans (my dad taught us this when we were kids, no scientific backing).

 

[dolluper]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Yep I second the oil thing it works,"not 10W30 though" ,a little vegetable oil mixed in their food is the ticket

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Hi SS, For minor irrations, use an oatmeal shampoo for dogs, sulfadyne can be used to spot treat areas that are sore and mildly infected due to scratching.<br /><br />Start your dog on a regiment of 2 Omega-3 fatty acid oil capsules per a day, mg should be determined according to the size and weight of your dog, Omega-3 can also be purchased in squirt bottles, 2 to 3 squirts can be mixed in with his meals.<br /><br />What food was he on? and what are you feeding him now?

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

My 13 year old dog suffered dry skin and hot spots almost every year. The vet prescribed cortizone shots plus flaxseed oil in the diet. This helped but not completely.<br /><br />Two years ago we changed from Nutro dry dog food ($29 for 40lb) to Costco's Lamb and Rice ($17 for 40lbs) and his dry skin and fur problems immediately went away. No more hotspots, no more itchy, dryskin, no more vet bills, plus his fur is extra full, soft and conditioned.<br /><br />Costco goes to great lengths to provide their membership with top quality products at a good price. Their dry dog food is great stuff and it's cheap.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

I've got Keeper on IAMS adult +1. He doesn't like to eat it though. Like every dog he is spoiled rotten. I've given him grease drippings on his food, gravy, eggs, and other greasy stuff that would clog my arteries. <br /><br />The mange mites could be the problem. He had mange when he was a pup. The vet said to put a flea and tick collar on him and change it every month. We did that and it cured his mange. We was thinking that this was the problem again. So we have been changing his collar once a month. Its been 3 months now and still has the itchy scratchy show going on. He hasn't created any open sores, but has like small scabs in areas that I know he can't reach. The scabs are about the size of pencil eraser.<br /><br />Dolluper, uh what about sythetic oil? okay we won't go there..

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

oops!

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> I've got Keeper on IAMS adult +1. He doesn't like to eat it though. Like every dog he is spoiled rotten. I've given him grease drippings on his food, gravy, eggs, and other greasy stuff that would clog my arteries. <br /><br />The mange mites could be the problem. He had mange when he was a pup. The vet said to put a flea and tick collar on him and change it every month. We did that and it cured his mange. We was thinking that this was the problem again. So we have been changing his collar once a month. Its been 3 months now and still has the itchy scratchy show going on. He hasn't created any open sores, but has like small scabs in areas that I know he can't reach. The scabs are about the size of pencil eraser.<br /><br />

Try him on Eukanuba Lamb and Rice, most dogs seems to like that one.<br /><br />I would advise you to take him back to the vet, this could well be a fungus that is immune to over the counter medication, perhaps an antibiotic prescription may be all that he needs.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

I've seen excellent results with Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) Spray, an extract from a type of treee that grows in Australia. Lots of different brands available OTC at pet stores. <br /><br />I let 2 friends use it for their dogs & it worked great on bad hotspots the dogs previously wouldn't leave alone. Kept dogs from biting (must taste bad) & they quickly healed. Been years ago, but I think it may have worked for one friend after the prescription given her by the vet didn't (maybe the dog licked it off before it could provide full benefit?). I think it has some antiseptic and maybe even antifungal properties, maybe do a google search for more info. <br /><br />I'd take him to vet to rule out mites, but would be very tempted to first try the Tea Tree Oil on my dogs before a prescription (once pests were ruled out).<br /><br />A premium dog food is also a good idea. I prefer Bil-Jac or Innova. Both better for the skin and for 'clean-up' duties (doodies?) on the back end of the process.<br /><br />A great article on dog foods is linked below if anyone is interested.<br /><br /> http://www.api4animals.org/79.htm <br /><br />It's general (doesn't recommend any brands), but gives enough info that you can much better evaluate brands according to the ingredient list.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Don't use the syn either

 

[Laddies]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

A tablespoon of codliver oil on top of our dogs food worked wonders for his dry skin and even made his coat glossy

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT<br /><br />repeat<br /><br />DO NOT <br /><br />Wash him or bathe him<br /><br />Dogs need the oils on their skins and coat to keep their skin moist - washing them will remove this oil <br /><br />We used GOLD bond powder when our dog had some hot spots <br /><br />Vet gave us stuff but that did not work<br /><br />Also brush to make sure the dead hair is off of the skin<br /><br />Tomatolord

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Lakelivin,<br /><br />That was a great article link on "dog food". It makes you want to stop feeding your dog commercial pet food.

 

[rattana]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Like Tomatolord says, shampoo will dry out the dogs skin and cause the dog to scratch itself silly. All shampoos are very harsh.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Ms Mayfloat picked up some oatmeal conditioner with no soap or shampoo. His coat feels a bit more oily. Plus picked up some Omega 3 capsules.<br /><br />There have been lots of people having the same problem in the area. Usually when there is a change in the weather this time of year is when these problems crop up. Going to try this treatment for a couple of weeks. <br /><br />BTW, since he got his oatmeal, his itching and scratchy show is down by about 75% He seems to be more comfortable. <br /><br />Thanks for the tips, it is truely appreaciated a bunch!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Originally posted by EZLoader:<br /> Lakelivin,<br /><br />That was a great article link on "dog food". It makes you want to stop feeding your dog commercial pet food.

Yeah, or at least be very picky with your choice.<br /><br />If you're interested, here are links to the 2 brands I use (I switch em for variety). <br /><br /> Bil-Jac <br /><br /> Innova <br /><br />You have to go through a couple of links on the bil-jac site to get the complete low down on their food, especially the way they collect & process it. Only down side to me is that they use BLT as a preservative; some have concerns about it, but there is no firm evidence to date (that I'm aware of) showing it actually causes problems.<br /><br />My biggest issue with Innova is that alot of the ingredients seem to be there to make it more appealing to humans than for the actual benefit of the dog (apples?, cottage cheese?; and near the end of the ingredients list, so probably not much of each in there anyways). Plus it's a bit more expensive even than the Bil-Jac.<br /><br />A test you may find interesting is to put a piece of different types of dog food in a glass of water. The 'extruded' kind (which includes most brands, even many 'premium' ones) swell up to 2 or 3 times their original size and float for days. The baked kind (Bil-Jac) immediately sink to the bottom and quickly disolve.<br /><br />Probably the best meal my dogs get is when I run out of dog food (it's 1/2 hour to the nearest place I can buy either kind, & they close at 6p.m. sharp). Then I cook up the burgers or venison sausage that has been in my freezer for years along with some frozen vegetables thrown in. Real treat for the dogs, and the meat has been around a little too long for me to want to take a chance on eating it anyways.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Dry Skin on a Dog

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> BTW, since he got his oatmeal, his itching and scratchy show is down by about 75%

Can't resist. I'll bet his cholestrol is lower also.