Expert: Delores Beck - 4/17/2008

Question
Delores,  I have a 8 year old Cocker who has developed this skin condition for about the last 5 months now.  Started on his back with hair falling out in a small quarter size area now has moved up the neck and along the shoulder area. Also the ears have alot of sores and the hair following out as well.  Treated so far with 3 weeks of antibiotic thinking it was Pyroderma even though there was never any puss pimples.  Took her to see another vet today who mentioned a possible Vitamin A deficiency and we are checking his thyroid as well.  My question to you would be since there is not really a test for the Vitamin A deficiency how much Vitamin A do you give them and is Hyperthroidism common in Cockers?  Also he is very itchy could either of the above mentioned conditions contribute to that?  Thank you for any assistance you can give.

Answer
At his age, the vet should have run a thyroid test.  Ask where they send it - the answer should be Michigan State.  That's the gold standard and I'd definitely do that first. (Your 2nd vet sounds better than #1)

Yes, you can try Vit A for 8 weeks.  It's important what you buy and must have no wheat-yeast-soy in it.  Any good health food store will have it.  Get 10,000 IU TABLETS.  No gelcaps.  One a day.

Did anyone test his skin for mites?  If he's on Revolution or Heartguard that's not likely.  If not, he should get looked at.

It could be Vit A deficiency..but in cockers it's not really a deficiency.  Actually the syndrome is called "Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis in the Cocker Spaniel".  It's one of the first things a vet Dermatologist would try.

Hypothyroidism is very common in cockers and that can cause skin issues.  It must be ruled out.

For the itching, I'd bath him in a gentle shampoo (aloe - oatmeal - neem oil) - rinse, rinse, rinse in coolish water.  When you think you've rinsed enough - rinse 10 more times.

Then soak him in colloidal oatmeal.  Buy Aveeno - comes in box with packets of powder.  One packet in the tub - tepid water and keep him in there for 10 minutes (which will seem like an hour).

This often gives a lot of relief.

I'd like to know what his skin "looks like".  Is it dry and flaky?
Or more oily and has an odor?  Is he itchy all over or in specific spots?  On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being BAD) - how much is he itching?
Delores