Expert: Delores Beck - 3/9/2011

Question
I have adopted a dog that I believe is cocker spaniel and either a poodle or some think Lhasa Apso, but his curly hair leads me to think a cockapoo. His name is Shiloh. When I received him, he was matted, had hair missing, scaly skin with dark undertone. After many vets visits he was diagnosed with a thyroid problem and was prescribed thyroxine and prednisone. The prednisone was for the itching. Its been almost a year since I have had him and even with the prednisone he still scratches. He gets ear infections, prescribed medicine, it clears up and comes back again. The ear infection is usually in one ear and there is no outer discharge just reddish/brown wax from the inner ear. I use Blue Ear Cleaner and it seems to work. Right now, I am not sure what to feed him. I desperately want to help him relieve his itching and occasional hot spots. Foods that are high in protein constipate him. I was giving a fished based food from Orijen he loved it, but it seems like he was itching more. I would prefer a food that I can purchase locally. I know about Life's Abundance but I would prefer another recommendation. I considered Stella and Chewy's freeze dried patties, I did a little research on Sojos. I don't mind preparing homemade meals I just need to know what direction to head in. My dachshund was raised on Advanced Pet Diet and she is healthy with a beautiful coat and skin. She is 7 years old. What would you recommend for Shiloh? The vet estimate his age at about 3 years old. Is grain free or low grain best?

Answer
First of all, for him to be on a steroid (Prednisone) for a year is quite dangerous and it obviously hasn't worked anyway.  You can't just suddenly stop - you need to wean him off it.

What are you doing topically (shampoos, etc) for the itching AND have you tried an antihistimine?

I very much like Sojo's Complete for itchy dogs but since it's a bit low in protein I add some.
It's easily ordered online (I use OnlyNaturalPets.com) but you may well find it in a local store.
If you decide to switch to raw - go very slowly.

A lot of dogs react to an all fish diet and, in fact, it's not good to feed more than once a week.

I'd like to know if his thyroid levels were checked a few months after he started the meds?

I've heard the Blue Power ear cleaner works well but I'd also try the Zymox line of ear products.
I can tell you where to order and how to use - they're not expensive and they WORK!

But the first thing I'd do is try an antihistimine.  You can buy Zyrtec (not Zyrtec-D - it has a decongestant - plain Zyrtec - read the label - one active ingredient only "Ceterizine".)

The first day I'd cut a tablet in half and give 1/2 in the a.m. and see if all is well - if so, give the other half at night.  Then go to one 10mg. tablet daily.