Expert: Delores Beck - 2/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Are the proud owners of 4 cocker spaniels - Baylee 2 yrs old, Sandy 2 yrs old,
Polly 5 yrs old and Cody is 1. Have been feeding them Solid Gold dry
w/canned food mixed in at night twice a day.All 4 of them have dry flaky skin
with scratching and itching. Cody is losing his hair on his back shoulder
blades. Went to the vet and are waiting for the results of a scraping test. Is 2
weeks a normal turn around time for lab work? Vet gave a topical spray
Malasab twice a day.  Cody was diagnosed with poly immune arthritis in Nov.
after a joint tap (And many other expensive tests!) He was on an antibiotic
and long term prednisone ....He is back to normal physically -thank
goodness! Could this new issue of skin/hair loss be an after effect due to
medication? They are all bathed with Earth Bath herbal shampoos. Also just
invested in a humidifier.  For treat we use Mother Hubbard treats only. We
love our dogs to death and they are combed and brushed every day! We
would welcome any advice/suggestions you could send our way.

ANSWER: My first question would be "where do you live?"

A vet should be able to do a simple skin scrape analysis in the office in a few minutes.  And no, two weeks is silly.

If all 4 have dry, flaky skin - something's up :)

What do you use for fleas/heartworm?  If it's Revolution we can rule out mites.

Right off, my first suggestion would be a high fat, high protein food with few, if any carbs and most definitely add some salmon oil to their diet.  I like Carlson's (not fish oil - salmon oil).  It comes in a gelcap - snip the end and squeeze on their food.  Start with one.
For food - I'd go to Innova EVO - more canned than kibble.

I'd also use a medicated shampoo and do a colloidal oatmeal soak.
Aveeno makes one.  Comes in a box with packets of powder, which is pure colloidal oatmeal.  Mix one packet in full bathtub and soak dog for 10 minutes (take a timer - it feels like an hour).

Malaseb also makes a very good medicated shampoo which needs to be left on for 10 minutes.  Far more effective than a spray.

I'd also like to know what else is going on with their skin.
Redness?  Any rash?  Bumps? Small scabs?  Or is it just "dandruff"?

Another itch relief is aloe vera gel (not juice)..from a health food store (I use Desert Lily).  Massage in after bath on damp coat.
You don't need a lot.  Doesn't matter if they lick it.

Both the oatmeal soak and the aloe can give immense relief.
Delores

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

QUESTION: We live on Long Island in NY.Heartworm - inteceptor Fleas - Advantix
We are already using Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil (pump) Did give them an
oatmeal bath today and used Nizoral shampoo. Did seem to relieve itching
and flaking with less dandruff during combing. Cody has large bald spots for
sure but it does not look red and irritated. More dandruff if you ask me.
Baylee also has stinky eye goo. No fleas on them at all. Our house temp is
never over 62 so it's not heat related. You seem to be thinking more diet
related? Are table scraps permissable? Usually scrape off dinner leftovers -
nothing over the top though....





ANSWER: Your vet should have been able to either "tape or scrape" and tell you immediately if there was bacteria or yeast.  If the Nizoral helped (and that's a favorite with vet Dermatologists - it kills both)
then it may well be yeast.

Please stop the table scraps.  There's nothing wrong with supplementing with "human" food but it all depends on how it was cooked.

Baylee definitely needs to see a vet opthalmologist.  Don't ignore this - go to a specialist.

Do please try the oatmeal soak (Aveeno) or the aloe.  This can offer days of relief.

If there is no rash - bumps, etc. and it's really just flaky skin, I'd go to Sebolux shampoo.

Actually I don't think it's diet related simply because the chances of all four being identically affected is pretty slim to non-existent.
However - mites are contagious.  If a Dermatologist even suspects mites you'd be told to use Revolution and then again in two weeks.

Also Advantix can cause skin reactions.  Revolution does fleas, mites, and heartworm.
Delores

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

QUESTION: What do you mean about how the human food is cooked? Please clarify this
answer.  I will call the Vet today and push for test results. Thanks for all your
help

Answer
Well, for instance, a roasted turkey or chicken with skin on that's been basted can create a pancreatic event.  So can roast beef.

If you want to add "bits" - plain boiled chicken (no skin-no bones) - roast beef (done in oven) without a trace of "cooked" fat.  Never, ever give a dog pan fried meat or ground meat unless it's been cooked by boiling/simmering.

A good thing to add is some fresh or frozen (never canned-loaded with sodium) green beans that have been pulped in your food processor.
A bit of apple sometimes - a bit of carrot - asparagus (broccoli or cauliflour should be cooked lightly or it can cause gas).

Plain scrambled egg - use no oil or milk.

A tbsp. of low fat, NO SALT ADDED cottage cheese.

These additions are all good for them.  We forget that our veggies usually have butter/margarine and SALT on them.

I'd ask your vet if this scrape will be tested for mites. Or simply do the Revolution treatment to rule it out (two treatments two weeks apart).  Mites can also cause the hair loss you mentioned and the fact that all four are presenting identical symptoms is highly suspicious.
Delores