Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 8/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: My dog has a severe skin problem. It looks like open wounds, the skin tends to get a bit raw and bleed. His paws sometimes looks swollen and then bleed. Products we've used in the past only helps for a week. What can i use to clear the problem.

ANSWER: Hi Nicci - I would be glad to help you..Please answer a few questions and then I can come up with a plan just for you... OK?

What is your dogs weight?
What foods or food are you feeding?
( brand, flavor, treats?, table foods)
Are you using any oils or supplements?


Let me know...thanks

Marie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Marie,

Thank you for your immediate response, i really appreciate that. Our dog is overweight, about 60kg. We always alternate his food, every month will be a different brand.He is currently on Waltham's PAL steak flavour. We also give him left over table foods now and then.At the moment we're not using any oils or supplements.Thanks, Nicci(Cape Town,SA)

Answer
Hi again:  The problem is with you alternating foods every month or so. Also, no more table foods unless it is chicken or pork... Try to stick to dog food.
As for brands - Are there any holistic foods that are low grain and 99 % meat?  Such as Innova EVO, Wellness Formula CORE, Natural Balance, Chicken Soup for the Dog's Soul...
Can you find something like the brands above.  You can do a search and look a the ingredients in the Innova Evo, that way you know what to look for in a good quality dog food.

You can give your boy some Acidophilus ( 1 billion  CFUs ) - give him one per day - hide in some cheese...
This is good for yeast and his skin.  ( he may have a bunch of yeast bacteria)


Good luck looking for a quality food.


Marie Peppers