Expert: Delores Beck - 9/15/2009

Question
I have a cocker spaniel, Lily, who  will be 6 in Oct.  Within the past 2 years she has been having this "foul" odor when it comes to her skin, as early as 1 day after a bath.  I try not to bathe her more than once every 7-10 days as not to take natural oils from her coat. She looks like she has the mange but the vet tested her and she doesn't.  She has balding spots on her that has thick flakes that come off her skin, almost like yeast.  My husband wants me to get rid of her because we have a baby on the way and the smell is horrible.  What can I do???  FYI..i do get her groomed regularly...please help.

Answer
I'd put a lot of money on Lily having seborrhea.  Very controllable.  Do not worry about the oils in her skin.  Get some Malaseb Shampoo from your vet OR just buy some Nizoral (the vet Dermatologists love this).  Shake bottle well - lather her up and leave on for 15 minutes.
Then rinse really, really well.  Hope you have a hand-held shower attachment?  Use just warm water and finish with a final rinse of cool water.

You're going to have to bath her every 2nd day for a week to get this under control and then you see what she needs to manage it.  But the initial topical therapy is a must.

Nizoral is sold at most drugstores/supermarkets.

I'd also change her food to a no grains - no carbs formula.  Innova EVO is the best.  Go to Naturapet.com to locate a dealer near you.

Your vet has been really incompetent.
Delores