Expert: Delores Beck - 7/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Delores-
I am caring for my daughter's 3 yr old, unneutered male yellow cocker. He  scratches pretty constantly and has a strong doggy smell. The scratching is not focussed on anything in particular. She feeds him on some sort (sorry - can't do better at the moment)of kibble from the vet for allergic animals. If it helps, I hate to think what he'd be like without it! I know she bathes him regularly (weekly?) but not sure with what. I recommended Happy Jack anti itch (has tar etc in it) as it once helped my dog but don't know if she tried it. She keeps him trimmed short
So - in a nutshell, what should he eat and what shd he be bathed with?  I have him for 2 weeks and this is only day one - I'd love to help him if I can while I have him.
Final question: do you think neutering would noticeably mitigate male his smell? I don't know why she hasn't done that and maybe it isn't an option with her but I am just asking the expert!
Thank you very much-

ANSWER: If that's all her vet offered, he's one sorry vet :).  And why isn't he neutered?  Your daughter is leaving him open to two types of cancer by not neutering.

But back to the scratching...I'd try some Nizoral shampoo (available in most drugstores & supermarkets).  The Vet Dermatologists love this stuff and it kills both yeast & bacteria.
Shake the bottle well - wet him down, lather him up and leave it on for 10 minutes.  Then rinse, rinse, rinse...then rinse more with cool water.

I'd then give him a final rinse in half water/half plain white vinegar.  Yeast can't survive in an acidic environment.

To get on top of this, you're going to have to do this every other day for about a week, then taper off.

The odor tells me it's probably yeast - bacteria usually has no smell.

Food.  Well, the stuff from the vet (probably Science Diet) is the worst crap on the planet
and I'd get him off that and switch to a high protein - low or no carb - grainless dog food.
If budget allows, I'd use one of the new raw, dehydrated foods like Addiction - Sojo's Complete - or NRG.  Happy to give suggestions for other foods.

There is absolutely no point to giving an itchy dog a food "for allergies" when you don't know/haven't tested for what the allergy is and it's food only about 10% of the time anyway.
Did the vet not suggest trying an antihistimine?  And where are you? (climate)?  And how is his skin?  Red?  Ears?
Delores



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

QUESTION: Delores - Thank you! I know I must sound a total ignoramus but I actually can't answer some of yr (very good and obvious)questions. HOWEVER, that said. I will get the Nizoral in case it is yeast or bacteria. But his skin's not red so wonder if that is it - but no harm in trying, eh? Yeast is the pits! Vinegar/water is a great idea. I love things that I can make right off the shelf.
Thanks also for the food ideas. I agree most dog foods are junk but not sure what to go for. I'll look into these. I've had lots of dogs but never a "high maintenance" one like this.
I'm in Virginia. Skin looks clear, not weepy.  He has had occasional hot spots  but looks OK now. Ears in good shape. The itch just seems generalized. If vet ever suggested anything I don't know about it.  When I can contact my daughter, I'll have more info.
I'll keep nagging on the neutering - don't know why not done. Not for lack of me pushing it.
Once again - many many thanks!

Answer
Yeast "usually" doesn't make the skin red...bacteria does.  Yeast causes the odor.

Pat, I'd like you to write me directly - I have a few more suggestions along the lines of "can't hurt - might help" and now that i know you're in gorgeous Virginia (one of my fav States) I know what it's like there in the summer and this exacerbates the issue.

I'm astounded her vet hasn't pointed out the risks of not neutering but we'll get to that later :).  Right now I'd like to give this boy some comfort.
Write me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.
Delores