She is small-4 lbs. and get dirty outside. I hate to continually use dog shampoos on her. Can I use human hair conditioner w/o shampooing her to keep her skin from drying out? She has gotten fleas from the outside dog-I feel so bad for her. I bathe her is warm water and conditioner to get rid of the fleas. What can I do to make her comfortable while I battle this flea problem? We have used Frontline Plus on her all summer, yet now she has fleas! What should I do? What about mineral oil to smother the fleas? I don't want to irrirate her skin, and I love to hold her. But I don't want fleas myself. I just want to make her comfortable and happy! HELP.....any advice will be appreciated!
What are the best ways to bathe %26amp; care for my Maltese dog-Her skin and coat?
I'm so sorry for you and your pup. Fleas are miserable, for both of you!
First, Frontline Plus must be used year- round. Fleas are everywhere. You can also use Advantix or Revolution- both are good as well.
Second, try getting a soap- free shampoo from your vet. You can get one that is hypoallergenic and very mild to her skin. If you bathe frequently, soap- free shampoo is a must:) My maltese/yorkie mix gets more baths than normal, we love the shampoo!
Lastly, try tying up her pretty hair, or getting her a cute shirt/sweater. She won't get a sdirty outside and when she comes in, you can simply wipe her paws, take off her shirt and she is good to cuddle with on the couch!
Best to both of you:)
Reply:Front line plus is to be used all year round. fleas get into carpets, pet bedding , and furniture. You can go to your local health store and buy pure lavender oil, spray bedding's, carpets and furniture, it will kill off fleas and their eggs. You can also spray it directly on your dog or rinse her with it after her bath and it will not irritate her skin.
snake plant
Friday, November 20, 2009
Dog is losing weight without reason?
Ok, so back in December my dog had some skin problems and I took him to the vet. He put him on an antibiotic and gave him a shot of cortisone. It cleared up the skin problem but now I have another problem. He seems to be losing weight and I'm not sure why. I can feel most of his bones which I could not do before. I mean, he was chubby before this treatment. Even on a second visit they said he only lost two pounds. Anybody else have this experience with their dog? He seems to be acting fine and not having any other problems. Could he have picked up something at the vet? One friend said to check into a tapeworm.
Dog is losing weight without reason?
Losing weight suddenly with no apparent reason can be a symptom of something serious. I would take the dog back to the vet with your concerns. they will probably draw some blood for testing and do a fecal exam.Good luck
Reply:Tape worm.
Reply:Definately talk to your vet. If you don't like the answer you get from him/her, go to another vet for a second opinion.
Reply:if you are still treating this dog with the medicine than the medicine might be doing something to his health by any chance.
Reply:Many reasons, he could just be getting old. Or if he was chubby he could just be losing some fat, which isn't bad, just watch how skinny he gets. If he dosn't seem weaker or anything I wouldn't be too worried
Reply:If yourdog is eating and is still losing weight it sounds like tape worm. If your dog is losing weight cause he is not eating it could be the food he doesn't like.
Reply:Sounds like tape worm, better have him checked, he could go downhill fast.
Reply:have you checked his thyroid?
Also my dog had cortisone and it made him wired for weeks before it finally wore off
Reply:this sounds like something can't be diagnosed over the computer. He could have something as simple as intestinal parasites or something more serious that will require bloodwork , xrays etc. Get your dog back into the vet .
Dog is losing weight without reason?
Losing weight suddenly with no apparent reason can be a symptom of something serious. I would take the dog back to the vet with your concerns. they will probably draw some blood for testing and do a fecal exam.Good luck
Reply:Tape worm.
Reply:Definately talk to your vet. If you don't like the answer you get from him/her, go to another vet for a second opinion.
Reply:if you are still treating this dog with the medicine than the medicine might be doing something to his health by any chance.
Reply:Many reasons, he could just be getting old. Or if he was chubby he could just be losing some fat, which isn't bad, just watch how skinny he gets. If he dosn't seem weaker or anything I wouldn't be too worried
Reply:If yourdog is eating and is still losing weight it sounds like tape worm. If your dog is losing weight cause he is not eating it could be the food he doesn't like.
Reply:Sounds like tape worm, better have him checked, he could go downhill fast.
Reply:have you checked his thyroid?
Also my dog had cortisone and it made him wired for weeks before it finally wore off
Reply:this sounds like something can't be diagnosed over the computer. He could have something as simple as intestinal parasites or something more serious that will require bloodwork , xrays etc. Get your dog back into the vet .
Our dog has skin allergies, any holistic remedies?
we have a pitt mix who get little bumps all over his back every so often. they are itchy, he chews them, loses his fur, the skin gets infected, he ends up wearing an e-collar, what a pain!! the vet said it's skin allergies and when he breaks out we wash him with a special shampoo that keeps it from getting infected but it still itches and he still chews. we can't figure what the trigger is, it happens every few days to twice a month. has anyone with pitt-mixes had this problem and what did you do to solve it? i'm not keen on the idea of steroid shots so are there any more natural things to try? (the vet wants to give him steroid shots, that's her solution)
my itchy dog thanks you for any suggestions...
Our dog has skin allergies, any holistic remedies?
Does the dog food contain corn or corn meal? Canines are generally allergic to corn. You see it in dry patches on the elbows.
Have you tried a different dog food? One more natrual, with no rice or fillers?
I have been feeding my dog a brand called Hundenflocken (I love the name, eh). I also make homemade beef soup with celery, carrots and sweet potatoes for her.
Steriods are very hard on their liver.
Have you tried putting aloe vera (pure) on the bad spots? This will moisturize and sooth. But I would try a new diet first before steriods.
Reply:Make a pyramid out of clothes hangars and sit him under it for 20 minutes. Turn and repeat.
Reply:Try changing his diet. Corn (corn meal) is a common dog allergy. Find a food that does not contain it and try to feed him that. Nature's Recipe is a good one as is Innova. Good luck
Reply:What kind of food do you feed? Treats? Is this happening year round or certain times of the year? Has your dog been allergy tested? Have you moved? Do you have carpet? Wood floors? When did it start? How old is your pet? I have seen a lot of allergy problems in my life so far and my own dog has severe allergies. I may be able to help you but I need more info. I don't prefer steroid shots either and I believe and have seen many pets be helped without it. Allergies is a VERY controversial subject with vets and owners so you will not get answers that very many people agree with eachother on. However, there are a lot of things to try out there before steroids. Don't give up yet.
Reply:Do you know what your dog is allergic to? Removing that from his environment will help tremendously. I don't blame you for not being thrilled about giving your dog steroid shots.
Now, my parents have a beagle who is allergic to a lot of the additives in dog foods such as Gravy Train. So they have to get him another dog food- Not Beniful, but one like it. As long as he eats that and not the other, he is fine.
Good luck!
Reply:I'll bet that your vet also gives annual vaccinations too.
Dogs have been over vaccinated for many years now. Dr. Ron Schultz of Wisconsin University published his duration of immunity on vaccines in 1999.
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/6...
There's a lot on the net about this, so do some research! Vaccines can cause skin problems and a whole lot more. Food allergies usually cause the dog to lick his feet until raw, but this could also be your problem. The first ingredient in a good dog food is meat, not corn.
If you are looking for natural things, there is a Pets 4 Homeopathy group at yahoo.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pet...
Reply:It could be as simple as a flea allergy. If he does not wear a good flea collar get one. We took my daughters dog last year, she was bald and sore on her rear end. We bought her advantage..no fles, and hair grew back. She is now a beautiful dog.
sorrel
my itchy dog thanks you for any suggestions...
Our dog has skin allergies, any holistic remedies?
Does the dog food contain corn or corn meal? Canines are generally allergic to corn. You see it in dry patches on the elbows.
Have you tried a different dog food? One more natrual, with no rice or fillers?
I have been feeding my dog a brand called Hundenflocken (I love the name, eh). I also make homemade beef soup with celery, carrots and sweet potatoes for her.
Steriods are very hard on their liver.
Have you tried putting aloe vera (pure) on the bad spots? This will moisturize and sooth. But I would try a new diet first before steriods.
Reply:Make a pyramid out of clothes hangars and sit him under it for 20 minutes. Turn and repeat.
Reply:Try changing his diet. Corn (corn meal) is a common dog allergy. Find a food that does not contain it and try to feed him that. Nature's Recipe is a good one as is Innova. Good luck
Reply:What kind of food do you feed? Treats? Is this happening year round or certain times of the year? Has your dog been allergy tested? Have you moved? Do you have carpet? Wood floors? When did it start? How old is your pet? I have seen a lot of allergy problems in my life so far and my own dog has severe allergies. I may be able to help you but I need more info. I don't prefer steroid shots either and I believe and have seen many pets be helped without it. Allergies is a VERY controversial subject with vets and owners so you will not get answers that very many people agree with eachother on. However, there are a lot of things to try out there before steroids. Don't give up yet.
Reply:Do you know what your dog is allergic to? Removing that from his environment will help tremendously. I don't blame you for not being thrilled about giving your dog steroid shots.
Now, my parents have a beagle who is allergic to a lot of the additives in dog foods such as Gravy Train. So they have to get him another dog food- Not Beniful, but one like it. As long as he eats that and not the other, he is fine.
Good luck!
Reply:I'll bet that your vet also gives annual vaccinations too.
Dogs have been over vaccinated for many years now. Dr. Ron Schultz of Wisconsin University published his duration of immunity on vaccines in 1999.
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/6...
There's a lot on the net about this, so do some research! Vaccines can cause skin problems and a whole lot more. Food allergies usually cause the dog to lick his feet until raw, but this could also be your problem. The first ingredient in a good dog food is meat, not corn.
If you are looking for natural things, there is a Pets 4 Homeopathy group at yahoo.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pet...
Reply:It could be as simple as a flea allergy. If he does not wear a good flea collar get one. We took my daughters dog last year, she was bald and sore on her rear end. We bought her advantage..no fles, and hair grew back. She is now a beautiful dog.
sorrel
Skin problems with boxer, thinking about changing his food.?
Our dog is almost 9 months we noticed he had some bumps on his head because they look white, its not bald up there (yet) so we took him to the vet and i asked if he had mange mites or something of that sort and she said no she said he had some other kind of allergic reaction. i have been thinking about giving him canidae and i have read some reviews how it helps the skin and the eyes when dogs have problems. so i asked the vet if she would suggest changing his food (we give him science diet) she said that we were giving him good food and she wouldnt suggest canidae for they havent really done studies on the food. i have been reading about science diet and see that their main ingredient is corn and all this other stuff that doesnt seem so healthy. I want to feed my dog something that will provide more nutrients and is better for him. Anyones opinion? suggestions? should i just keep giving him science diet? she said to buy him science diet for sensitive skin. oh yeah they gave him
Skin problems with boxer, thinking about changing his food.?
if your Vet says you are giving him good food by feeding him Science Diet, i would change Vets immediately, very SERIOUSLY !!!....SD is garbage, especially if corn is the first ingredient, like Purina, LOTS OF CORN, despite major advertising, is junk also !!!....Canidae has been rated as a 5 star dry dog food, out of a possible 6 stars, as best !! canidae also has rated 112 points or an A+, out of a possible 100 points, on another dry dog food survey !!! this proves that your Vet is uninformed, and biased, because she sells Science Diet, and is therefore BIASED, BIG TIME !!!.......i am a retired CPA %26amp; CFP, and researched the HECK OUT OF DRY DOG FOODS, AFTER ALL THE RECALLS STARTED, and in my OPINION, CANIDAE DRY DOG FOOD, ALL LIFE STAGES, IS THE BEST DRY DOG FOOD AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, AND IT IS AFFORDABLE FOR ALL DOG OWNER'S !!!!......CANIDAE DRY DOG FOOD, ALL LIFE STAGES, is terrific because it is an ALL NATURAL, ALL HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS, NO BY-PRODUCTS OR CHEMICALS, NO CORN OR WHEAT OR FILLERS, NO SALT OR BEET PULP, ALL USA INGREDIENTS, and Canidae has lots of vitamins and enzymes that are good for dogs !!!!!.......go to Canidae.com for more information, and dog owner's testimonials, and a list of dealers near you, by Zip code !!.......MANY BREEDERS RECOMMEND CANIDAE, and many Yahoo answer people, HAVE USED CANIDAE, FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WITH MUCH SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION !!!!!.......Canidae has a money back guarantee, if you are unhappy, for ANY reason !!.....so try it, you will like it, what have you got to lose !!!......my 2 dogs, a JRTerrier mix, and a Great Pyrenees mix, have loved switching to Canidae !!.....my daughter in law, switched her 3 BIG dogs, a Golden Retriever, a Great Pyrenees, %26amp; an English Mastiff, all to Canidae, and they ALL love Canidae also !!!....MANY dog owners have said that Canidae has relieved their dogs of allergies %26amp; skin problems !! go to Canidae.com, and read the dog owner's testimonials !!!....if i can be of further help, with questions about Canidae, or the research i did, please email me !!...good luck to you, and your Boxer !!!...best wishes to y'all, from Fort Worth, Texas, USA !!!
Reply:science diets main ingredient is corn, the #1 food allergen in dogs.
vets get paid to push specific brands. sci-die is simply ut a terrible food and similar in terms of nutritional value to us eating a diet of mc donalds and cardboard.
canidea or timberwolf would be GREAT foods for a boxer, avoid anything with corn in and see if that mkaes a difference.
Reply:buy holistic dog food.
Reply:They have allergy shampoos and vitamins to help with the skin. Give him stuff with OMEGA 3 Fatty Acids. They help with the skin and coat. I wouldn't change the food. It really is one of the best out there. But if you do I would try Royal Canin it's also another good one. Also you might want to try allergy food too.
Reply:You need a new vet, your old one is really clueless about nutrition -hope she knows more about vetting.
Lots of money hungry vets sell Science Diet, which is why they recommend and defend it.
Read the ingredients for yourself, corn meal and ground meat meal (bones, beaks, feet, yuck)
terrible stuff, no better than supermarket or Walmart junk.
Try Canidae chicken and rice - it has done wonders for the skin and coat of 2 of my dogs, major improvement over when I too believed my old vet and fed science diet.
Reply:I have two boxers currently - one who I rescued from a family in NH she is deaf and they stated they didn't have time for her.
She is also white which made it easier for me to spot the 'hotspots' she had when we got her. As soon as I took her off the purina they sent her home with her stools tightened up and her fur grew in soft and shiny, she was so bad, it took about a month for complete restoration of her coat. But with in a day or two the constant itching and licking had slowed down.
We free feed Nutro Natural not sure if your pup is gettin better but a small bag of Nutro will only put you out 10 dollars and as long as it isn't an 'environmental' allergy you should notice a difference pretty quick.
By environmental I mean, changing your laundry soap, shampooing the carpets ect.
Reply:Soooo many people think Science Diet is healthy food. It's NOT! Don't ever base your opinions on dog food according to what other people say or what the "brand" advertises, like "#1 dog food recommended by Veterinarians." First of all, vets make their money by fixing what health problems the pets have. They're not nutritionists.
I've done TONS of research on dog foods and which is the most healthy. Here are my top picks...
1) Evo made by Natura
2) Innova made by Natura
3) Solid Gold
The important thing is to read the first few ingredients on the packaging. There SHOULD NOT be any corn or by-products. The first few ingredients should also contain high quality meat (like chicken, turkey, lamb, etc.) As you seem to already know, corn is just a filler. Actually, some of the fillers and grains they use in dog food could ne causing your dog's skin problems. He might be allergic to them. That's why I use holistic or natural dog foods. They contain no preservatives, fillers, or by-products.
A few other things to consider are the amount of protein and fat contained in the food. Adult dogs for example require a specific amount of protein and fat in their diet as do puppies. Not having enough protein or fat in their diet could disrupt their energy level and overall mental health.
Hope this helps and I hope your dog's health improves! =)
Reply:a little know fact about dogs is that plastic allergies are quite common, when my border collie mix was younger she had a terrible skin rash and the vet and i tried everything it took almost a year for the vet to suggest we removed her from all contact with plastic, we did and she hasn't had the rash for eight years.
Reply:I own a Doberman that has some skin conditions, I use a veryyy mild shampoo that is oatmeal based, found at almost any pet store or vets office. I also dont wear perfumes or use spray scents like lsyol or febreeze in my home. I switched him to a lamb and rice based diet, which I cook myself instead of buying. Its actually cheaper to cook yourself and much healthier. Its not necessary to switch him from science diet, try getting a lamb and rice flavor instead, I happen to suggest to a lot of clients to look around before switching completely, compare the ingredients, the top 10 are usually the most important, watch out for any type of additives. Also there has been large studies that alot of people dont know about but do NOT feed your dog any food that has onion or potato in it. It can make the animal very ill and sometimes some animals dont show anything for years. Its best to switch to a oatmeal based shampoo, and if the spots dont go away you might be looking at Alopecia in your boxer. This is a skin condition found in many breeds but it is usually inherited by bad breeding. I dont doubt your boxer is probably very beautiful but try not to stress to hard on the bumps. He is probably very sensitive and is having allergies to certain things in or out of the home. I hope this helps and if you would like more information please feel free to message me or email me at
jessicabiber@yahoo.com
Reply:well, i don't think i need to add my two cents on Canidae, (which i feed to my dog) Morris the Cat said it all. Nice work! go with the canidae, your dogs skin condition will clear up. that is the main reason i switched my dog, and her skin condition is gone. good luck.
Reply:Try to avoid foods with a lot of grains in them. Grains are the biggest cause of allergies in dogs. Go with something that has a lot of meat in it. Or better yet, raw feeding.
Eagle Pack is a holistic food and very good for dogs with allergies: http://www.eaglepack.com/
You may also want to consider adding N'Zymes to his diet: http://nzymes.com/
Reply:On choosing a good dog food:
Read the ingredients on the food you buy. Go with a high quality dog food. A grain should not be in the first couple ingredients ingredient (corn and such are mainly fillers, dogs don't digest it well). Avoid foods that have a lot of "by products" listed.
Here is an article about byproducts:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?...
And an article on what ingredients to avoid:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?...
---
There is no single food that is "best". For example, some dogs thrive on grain-free foods, while grain-free is too rich for other dogs. What you want to find is the high-quality food that *your dog* does best on. (I recommend feeding dry food instead of wet. It's healthier for the gums and teeth.)
Some GOOD foods are :
* Merrick - http://www.merrickpetcare.com/
* Solid Gold - http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/
* Canidae - http://www.canidae.com/
* Timberwolf - http://timberwolforganics.com/
* Orijen - http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/o...
* Wellness - http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/
* Chicken Soup brand - http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssou...
* Blue Buffalo - http://www.bluebuff.com/
* Innova - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.a...
* Innova EVO - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp
Or check this website for good foods: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_...
(I recommend only feeding foods rated 4, 5, or 6 stars. Anything 3 stars or less, I would stay away from.)
---
Stay away from grocery stores brands. They are low-quality foods chalk full of fillers, preservatives, dyes, etc.. (Grocery store foods are those like Beneful, Old Roy, Alpo, Pedigree, Purina, etc.)
Beware "premium" foods. "Premium" does not mean good nutritionally, and is not a nutritionally high quality food. It has the same types of ingredients as grocery store foods, just a bit better quality of those not-so-good ingredients. (Premium foods are those like Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, etc..)
Another thing to be wary of: A lot of vets will recommend what they sell in their office. They get profit from the brands they keep on their shelves, that's why they push it. Truth is, vet schools don't focus a lot on nutrition. It's not saying that a vet is a bad vet because he recommends those foods, a lot of vets just are told "this is good food", so they pass the message along without proper nutrition knowledge. Also, some dog food brands (like Hills) support vet schools, so vets have heard of it from the time they start college, which makes them think it's good as well.
---
Higher quality food may seem more expensive at first, but it evens out. The higher quality the food, the less fillers eaten (and therefore the less poop comes out the other end). Your dog eats more to try to get the nutrition it needs, and most of the food just passes right on through. Also, it will make your animals healthier, so you save money on vet bills in the long run.
---
"Big box" petstores like Petco and Petsmart rarely have quality foods. (I do believe that PetCo sells "Solid Gold" and "Natural Balance" brands and Petsmart sells "Blue Buffallo", which are all quality foods, but most of the foods aren't.)
Also, grocery stores and Walmart aren't good places to buy food either.
Your best bets for getting quality dog food are:
- small, locally owned petstores
- dog boutiques
- farm supply stores
---
When switching foods, do it gradually. I do this over about a two week timespan:
25% food A, 75% food B
50% food A, 50% food B
75% food A, 25% food B
100% food A
=== === ===
Most commonly, it's ingredients such as corn, wheat, dyes, etc. in low quality foods that cause the allergies. Typically, buying a high quality holistic dog food helps.
There are foods that have a fewer number of ingredients that will decrease the risk that your dog may be allergic to something in it, here's an example:
* California Natural - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/californ...
.
Skin problems with boxer, thinking about changing his food.?
if your Vet says you are giving him good food by feeding him Science Diet, i would change Vets immediately, very SERIOUSLY !!!....SD is garbage, especially if corn is the first ingredient, like Purina, LOTS OF CORN, despite major advertising, is junk also !!!....Canidae has been rated as a 5 star dry dog food, out of a possible 6 stars, as best !! canidae also has rated 112 points or an A+, out of a possible 100 points, on another dry dog food survey !!! this proves that your Vet is uninformed, and biased, because she sells Science Diet, and is therefore BIASED, BIG TIME !!!.......i am a retired CPA %26amp; CFP, and researched the HECK OUT OF DRY DOG FOODS, AFTER ALL THE RECALLS STARTED, and in my OPINION, CANIDAE DRY DOG FOOD, ALL LIFE STAGES, IS THE BEST DRY DOG FOOD AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, AND IT IS AFFORDABLE FOR ALL DOG OWNER'S !!!!......CANIDAE DRY DOG FOOD, ALL LIFE STAGES, is terrific because it is an ALL NATURAL, ALL HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS, NO BY-PRODUCTS OR CHEMICALS, NO CORN OR WHEAT OR FILLERS, NO SALT OR BEET PULP, ALL USA INGREDIENTS, and Canidae has lots of vitamins and enzymes that are good for dogs !!!!!.......go to Canidae.com for more information, and dog owner's testimonials, and a list of dealers near you, by Zip code !!.......MANY BREEDERS RECOMMEND CANIDAE, and many Yahoo answer people, HAVE USED CANIDAE, FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WITH MUCH SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION !!!!!.......Canidae has a money back guarantee, if you are unhappy, for ANY reason !!.....so try it, you will like it, what have you got to lose !!!......my 2 dogs, a JRTerrier mix, and a Great Pyrenees mix, have loved switching to Canidae !!.....my daughter in law, switched her 3 BIG dogs, a Golden Retriever, a Great Pyrenees, %26amp; an English Mastiff, all to Canidae, and they ALL love Canidae also !!!....MANY dog owners have said that Canidae has relieved their dogs of allergies %26amp; skin problems !! go to Canidae.com, and read the dog owner's testimonials !!!....if i can be of further help, with questions about Canidae, or the research i did, please email me !!...good luck to you, and your Boxer !!!...best wishes to y'all, from Fort Worth, Texas, USA !!!
Reply:science diets main ingredient is corn, the #1 food allergen in dogs.
vets get paid to push specific brands. sci-die is simply ut a terrible food and similar in terms of nutritional value to us eating a diet of mc donalds and cardboard.
canidea or timberwolf would be GREAT foods for a boxer, avoid anything with corn in and see if that mkaes a difference.
Reply:buy holistic dog food.
Reply:They have allergy shampoos and vitamins to help with the skin. Give him stuff with OMEGA 3 Fatty Acids. They help with the skin and coat. I wouldn't change the food. It really is one of the best out there. But if you do I would try Royal Canin it's also another good one. Also you might want to try allergy food too.
Reply:You need a new vet, your old one is really clueless about nutrition -hope she knows more about vetting.
Lots of money hungry vets sell Science Diet, which is why they recommend and defend it.
Read the ingredients for yourself, corn meal and ground meat meal (bones, beaks, feet, yuck)
terrible stuff, no better than supermarket or Walmart junk.
Try Canidae chicken and rice - it has done wonders for the skin and coat of 2 of my dogs, major improvement over when I too believed my old vet and fed science diet.
Reply:I have two boxers currently - one who I rescued from a family in NH she is deaf and they stated they didn't have time for her.
She is also white which made it easier for me to spot the 'hotspots' she had when we got her. As soon as I took her off the purina they sent her home with her stools tightened up and her fur grew in soft and shiny, she was so bad, it took about a month for complete restoration of her coat. But with in a day or two the constant itching and licking had slowed down.
We free feed Nutro Natural not sure if your pup is gettin better but a small bag of Nutro will only put you out 10 dollars and as long as it isn't an 'environmental' allergy you should notice a difference pretty quick.
By environmental I mean, changing your laundry soap, shampooing the carpets ect.
Reply:Soooo many people think Science Diet is healthy food. It's NOT! Don't ever base your opinions on dog food according to what other people say or what the "brand" advertises, like "#1 dog food recommended by Veterinarians." First of all, vets make their money by fixing what health problems the pets have. They're not nutritionists.
I've done TONS of research on dog foods and which is the most healthy. Here are my top picks...
1) Evo made by Natura
2) Innova made by Natura
3) Solid Gold
The important thing is to read the first few ingredients on the packaging. There SHOULD NOT be any corn or by-products. The first few ingredients should also contain high quality meat (like chicken, turkey, lamb, etc.) As you seem to already know, corn is just a filler. Actually, some of the fillers and grains they use in dog food could ne causing your dog's skin problems. He might be allergic to them. That's why I use holistic or natural dog foods. They contain no preservatives, fillers, or by-products.
A few other things to consider are the amount of protein and fat contained in the food. Adult dogs for example require a specific amount of protein and fat in their diet as do puppies. Not having enough protein or fat in their diet could disrupt their energy level and overall mental health.
Hope this helps and I hope your dog's health improves! =)
Reply:a little know fact about dogs is that plastic allergies are quite common, when my border collie mix was younger she had a terrible skin rash and the vet and i tried everything it took almost a year for the vet to suggest we removed her from all contact with plastic, we did and she hasn't had the rash for eight years.
Reply:I own a Doberman that has some skin conditions, I use a veryyy mild shampoo that is oatmeal based, found at almost any pet store or vets office. I also dont wear perfumes or use spray scents like lsyol or febreeze in my home. I switched him to a lamb and rice based diet, which I cook myself instead of buying. Its actually cheaper to cook yourself and much healthier. Its not necessary to switch him from science diet, try getting a lamb and rice flavor instead, I happen to suggest to a lot of clients to look around before switching completely, compare the ingredients, the top 10 are usually the most important, watch out for any type of additives. Also there has been large studies that alot of people dont know about but do NOT feed your dog any food that has onion or potato in it. It can make the animal very ill and sometimes some animals dont show anything for years. Its best to switch to a oatmeal based shampoo, and if the spots dont go away you might be looking at Alopecia in your boxer. This is a skin condition found in many breeds but it is usually inherited by bad breeding. I dont doubt your boxer is probably very beautiful but try not to stress to hard on the bumps. He is probably very sensitive and is having allergies to certain things in or out of the home. I hope this helps and if you would like more information please feel free to message me or email me at
jessicabiber@yahoo.com
Reply:well, i don't think i need to add my two cents on Canidae, (which i feed to my dog) Morris the Cat said it all. Nice work! go with the canidae, your dogs skin condition will clear up. that is the main reason i switched my dog, and her skin condition is gone. good luck.
Reply:Try to avoid foods with a lot of grains in them. Grains are the biggest cause of allergies in dogs. Go with something that has a lot of meat in it. Or better yet, raw feeding.
Eagle Pack is a holistic food and very good for dogs with allergies: http://www.eaglepack.com/
You may also want to consider adding N'Zymes to his diet: http://nzymes.com/
Reply:On choosing a good dog food:
Read the ingredients on the food you buy. Go with a high quality dog food. A grain should not be in the first couple ingredients ingredient (corn and such are mainly fillers, dogs don't digest it well). Avoid foods that have a lot of "by products" listed.
Here is an article about byproducts:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?...
And an article on what ingredients to avoid:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?...
---
There is no single food that is "best". For example, some dogs thrive on grain-free foods, while grain-free is too rich for other dogs. What you want to find is the high-quality food that *your dog* does best on. (I recommend feeding dry food instead of wet. It's healthier for the gums and teeth.)
Some GOOD foods are :
* Merrick - http://www.merrickpetcare.com/
* Solid Gold - http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/
* Canidae - http://www.canidae.com/
* Timberwolf - http://timberwolforganics.com/
* Orijen - http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/o...
* Wellness - http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/
* Chicken Soup brand - http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssou...
* Blue Buffalo - http://www.bluebuff.com/
* Innova - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.a...
* Innova EVO - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp
Or check this website for good foods: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_...
(I recommend only feeding foods rated 4, 5, or 6 stars. Anything 3 stars or less, I would stay away from.)
---
Stay away from grocery stores brands. They are low-quality foods chalk full of fillers, preservatives, dyes, etc.. (Grocery store foods are those like Beneful, Old Roy, Alpo, Pedigree, Purina, etc.)
Beware "premium" foods. "Premium" does not mean good nutritionally, and is not a nutritionally high quality food. It has the same types of ingredients as grocery store foods, just a bit better quality of those not-so-good ingredients. (Premium foods are those like Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, etc..)
Another thing to be wary of: A lot of vets will recommend what they sell in their office. They get profit from the brands they keep on their shelves, that's why they push it. Truth is, vet schools don't focus a lot on nutrition. It's not saying that a vet is a bad vet because he recommends those foods, a lot of vets just are told "this is good food", so they pass the message along without proper nutrition knowledge. Also, some dog food brands (like Hills) support vet schools, so vets have heard of it from the time they start college, which makes them think it's good as well.
---
Higher quality food may seem more expensive at first, but it evens out. The higher quality the food, the less fillers eaten (and therefore the less poop comes out the other end). Your dog eats more to try to get the nutrition it needs, and most of the food just passes right on through. Also, it will make your animals healthier, so you save money on vet bills in the long run.
---
"Big box" petstores like Petco and Petsmart rarely have quality foods. (I do believe that PetCo sells "Solid Gold" and "Natural Balance" brands and Petsmart sells "Blue Buffallo", which are all quality foods, but most of the foods aren't.)
Also, grocery stores and Walmart aren't good places to buy food either.
Your best bets for getting quality dog food are:
- small, locally owned petstores
- dog boutiques
- farm supply stores
---
When switching foods, do it gradually. I do this over about a two week timespan:
25% food A, 75% food B
50% food A, 50% food B
75% food A, 25% food B
100% food A
=== === ===
Most commonly, it's ingredients such as corn, wheat, dyes, etc. in low quality foods that cause the allergies. Typically, buying a high quality holistic dog food helps.
There are foods that have a fewer number of ingredients that will decrease the risk that your dog may be allergic to something in it, here's an example:
* California Natural - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/californ...
.
Dog's skin irritation, please help?
My dog is about three years old, she's a siberian husky. She's always shed a lot, but recently, I noticed, that the hair that she's shedding has the follicle attached to it. I called the vet, and they said it was probably just shedding, and nothing to worry about. But now, my dog has scabs on her back, I don't know where they came from, and when she sheds, she sheds in clumps, and there'ssometimes a scab on the chunk of skin. We bathe her frequently, and she's never had a problem with the types of doggy shampoo that we use. I was wondering if anybody could help me out here. I have no idea what could be causing this, and if it could be serious. Please, any help, would be greatly appreciated.
Dog's skin irritation, please help?
They may have changed the formula of the shampoo you are using, or she may have developed an allergy, or you may not be rinsing well enough. Siberians tend to have very thick coats and need A LOT of rinsing.
If you are bathing frequently, it's best to use a very mild shampoo (puppy or baby shampoo) or an oatmeal shampoo.
You need to be brushing her frequently too, it helps to stimulate the skin to produce natural oils and will help remove dead hair so that the air can get to the skin better.
Reply:Go to your local vet and ask them for a skin shampoo for your dog. Malaseb, Sebomild and Seleen are all very good. Your dog may have picked up mange, if her back has scabs on it, but take your dog to the vet and have an examination done.
Reply:ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS YOUR PET MAY BE DEALING WITH A SKIN IRRITATION IS BECAUSE SHE COULD BE ALLERGIC TO THE SHAMPOO ( I DOUBT ) OR YOU BATHE HER TOO MUCH. A DOG SHOULD ONLY BE BATHED 1-2 A WEEK. DOING MORE THAN THAT COULD DRY OUT THE DOGS FUR. BUT IT MAY JUST BE BETTER FOR U TO CALL UP THE VET FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR A CHECK UP... JUST TO SEE WATS UP.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:My dog did the same thing the first two years of her life, every spring and fall. She had bald spots in her fur. Vet did a skin scrape to rule out mange and parasites. She figured it may have been allergies, gave her an antihistamine, plus omega fatty acid pills. Seemed to help, her coat has been great for the past 11/2 years.
Reply:Sound like mange (get a skin scrape from the vet - - about $55) or allergies (talk to your vet about food/environmental allergies). If the dog has no other symptoms (vomiting, etc.), it may not be "serious," but any time a doggie is in pain, that's serious enough to get to a vet asap.
Reply:First, does your dog free range or is she yard contained. If she is fenced in and not exposed to other dogs around the community the chances of her exposure to sarcoptic mange is minumized. She could suddenly have a hyper allergic reaction to flea bites. Use a veterinary recommended flea control, frontline or alike, once a month flea control, feed her a type of food formulated for sensitve skin. Bathing a dog too often could cause very dry and itchy skin. She could be suffering from hotspots. You did not mention what US region you live in. The south central part of Tn. has been extremely hot and dry and Huskies are cold weather dogs. As a precautionary measure if you can afford it get a second opinion from another vet and have him do a skin scraping that will rule out the sarcoptic mange for sure. She may even have a case of mites. Do you live on a farm around chickens. Maleseb and like shampoos are antifungal shampoos, unless she has ring worm or other fungal type problems that might not do the trick. Bathing a dog more than once a month is even too much. Take her to another vet is my best advice
Reply:Sounds like a staph infection. Some breeds can be prone to them. She will need to see the vet and if it is staph, antibiotics. The hair will grow back though.
Reply:she could have an allergic reaction to flea bites or she could have mange or possibly a thyroid condition.I would take your dog to the vet so they can see for themselves if there is a medical problem going on
Dog's skin irritation, please help?
They may have changed the formula of the shampoo you are using, or she may have developed an allergy, or you may not be rinsing well enough. Siberians tend to have very thick coats and need A LOT of rinsing.
If you are bathing frequently, it's best to use a very mild shampoo (puppy or baby shampoo) or an oatmeal shampoo.
You need to be brushing her frequently too, it helps to stimulate the skin to produce natural oils and will help remove dead hair so that the air can get to the skin better.
Reply:Go to your local vet and ask them for a skin shampoo for your dog. Malaseb, Sebomild and Seleen are all very good. Your dog may have picked up mange, if her back has scabs on it, but take your dog to the vet and have an examination done.
Reply:ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS YOUR PET MAY BE DEALING WITH A SKIN IRRITATION IS BECAUSE SHE COULD BE ALLERGIC TO THE SHAMPOO ( I DOUBT ) OR YOU BATHE HER TOO MUCH. A DOG SHOULD ONLY BE BATHED 1-2 A WEEK. DOING MORE THAN THAT COULD DRY OUT THE DOGS FUR. BUT IT MAY JUST BE BETTER FOR U TO CALL UP THE VET FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR A CHECK UP... JUST TO SEE WATS UP.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:My dog did the same thing the first two years of her life, every spring and fall. She had bald spots in her fur. Vet did a skin scrape to rule out mange and parasites. She figured it may have been allergies, gave her an antihistamine, plus omega fatty acid pills. Seemed to help, her coat has been great for the past 11/2 years.
Reply:Sound like mange (get a skin scrape from the vet - - about $55) or allergies (talk to your vet about food/environmental allergies). If the dog has no other symptoms (vomiting, etc.), it may not be "serious," but any time a doggie is in pain, that's serious enough to get to a vet asap.
Reply:First, does your dog free range or is she yard contained. If she is fenced in and not exposed to other dogs around the community the chances of her exposure to sarcoptic mange is minumized. She could suddenly have a hyper allergic reaction to flea bites. Use a veterinary recommended flea control, frontline or alike, once a month flea control, feed her a type of food formulated for sensitve skin. Bathing a dog too often could cause very dry and itchy skin. She could be suffering from hotspots. You did not mention what US region you live in. The south central part of Tn. has been extremely hot and dry and Huskies are cold weather dogs. As a precautionary measure if you can afford it get a second opinion from another vet and have him do a skin scraping that will rule out the sarcoptic mange for sure. She may even have a case of mites. Do you live on a farm around chickens. Maleseb and like shampoos are antifungal shampoos, unless she has ring worm or other fungal type problems that might not do the trick. Bathing a dog more than once a month is even too much. Take her to another vet is my best advice
Reply:Sounds like a staph infection. Some breeds can be prone to them. She will need to see the vet and if it is staph, antibiotics. The hair will grow back though.
Reply:she could have an allergic reaction to flea bites or she could have mange or possibly a thyroid condition.I would take your dog to the vet so they can see for themselves if there is a medical problem going on
Skin problems in dogs?
which breed the west highland white terrier(westie) or maltese have a worser skin problems?
Skin problems in dogs?
From my experience, Westies tend to have more allergies while Matlese get more skin infections. Skin problems can be avoided by making sure you buy from a reputable breeder that is willing to guarantee all health problems for a couple years. It seems like it is the badly bred dogs with the most problems. Of course, you could always adopt :)
Reply:In my experience, neither one of these dogs is particularly prone to skin problems, although I have seen some westies with allergies. The most important thing is to go to a breeder who really knows their breed. They will be working to produce the best quality puppies with the least amount of problems that they can. They will also be there to help you out if you have problems in the future, and they may have a guarantee that covers certain inherited skin disorders. Other than going to a good breeder, the other things you can do to help are to feed your dog a high quality diet, make sure it is clean and well groomed, and lives in a clean healthy environment. Allergies are something which may or may not be genetic, and you can't really control those if they are environmental, but doing all of the above things will go a long way to having a healthy puppy.
Skin problems in dogs?
From my experience, Westies tend to have more allergies while Matlese get more skin infections. Skin problems can be avoided by making sure you buy from a reputable breeder that is willing to guarantee all health problems for a couple years. It seems like it is the badly bred dogs with the most problems. Of course, you could always adopt :)
Reply:In my experience, neither one of these dogs is particularly prone to skin problems, although I have seen some westies with allergies. The most important thing is to go to a breeder who really knows their breed. They will be working to produce the best quality puppies with the least amount of problems that they can. They will also be there to help you out if you have problems in the future, and they may have a guarantee that covers certain inherited skin disorders. Other than going to a good breeder, the other things you can do to help are to feed your dog a high quality diet, make sure it is clean and well groomed, and lives in a clean healthy environment. Allergies are something which may or may not be genetic, and you can't really control those if they are environmental, but doing all of the above things will go a long way to having a healthy puppy.
Chicken in dog food?
Someone told me that their vet said that chicken in dog food causes skin problems in dogs. I thought this was the craziest thing and I'm not sure if that's right. Isn't chicken in pretty much any dog food!? Is beef better??
Chicken in dog food?
my vet told me to give my dog chicken and beef. that it is good for them.
Reply:dogfood is bad for dogs in my opinion. it is primarily made of corn and wheat products and contains very little real meat anyway. i feed my dogs a diet of raw meat including chicken and they are doing better than i have ever seen them do before. dogs who live in the wild eat the meat that they can kill or forage. nobody has ever heard of wild dogs attacking and ravaging corn fields right?
Reply:chicken can cause allergies even with humans, some humans when they eat chicken their skin will be itchy...
beef or pork is better...
Reply:Chicken will not harm your dog, even in pet food. Lol its weird your vet said this because if chicken harmed dogs wouldnt chicken necks and wings harm your dog??? Maybe some rare cases are found were chicken causes skin irritations but i dare say your dog isnt one. Beef and chicken are both good for your dog, a variety is good as both have different nutrients in them. Well i feed my baby necks all the time and hes alive so theres somthing fishy about your vet.... I know pork in large amounts, fat, salt, sugar and CHOCOLAte all harm dogs but definately NOT chicken.. (chuckle) Best of luck Angel. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Reply:It might if the dog is allergic to chicken.
Reply:I'd find another Vet and soon!
Reply:Chicken in dog food is perfectly fine, as long as it is a good quality food. you will find however the dry dog foods that contain no wheat or allergy producing aditives etc usually contain turkey and rice not chicken. this is only because chicken has a higher amino acid content, but thats all.
Hope this helps
Reply:That's crazy. If one could afford it, it would be better to feed your dog meats only and no dry food. Think about dogs in the wild, they don't eat dry food.
Reply:This sound weird - but some dogs can be allergies to chicken. I am given my dogs chicken - the Pug if he does not get chicken in his food he will not eat at all. If your dog is sick as well - my vet told me to give chicken and rice. It is very strange to me. Maybe you must tell that someone to seek another vet.
Reply:dogs love chicken,come on
Reply:unless your dog is allergic to chicken, it won't harm him. I have a dog who can only eat poultry in his dog food as he is very allergic to beef and lamb so I would tell your friend to get another opinion from a different vet.
Reply:Chicken is a perfectly acceptable source of protein for a dog but occasionally a dog will develop an allergy to the protein in a certain food. Anything with protein can cause an allergy and allergies generally show up in the dog's skin.
The vet that said this was probably talking about a specific incedent or talking about dogs with allergies should try foods without chicken to see if they are allergic to that specific meat source.
Reply:Dogs can be allergic to pretty much anything. Inlcuding chicken, corn, wheat, soy, and I've even heard rice. The more common culprits to allergy issues is corn, wheat, and soy. If I suspected my dog had a food allergy. Also artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives can also trigger allergy reactions. I'd try an elimination diet. Start with a single protein and grain (Chicken and rice) and feed that for a few days. You may want to get a multi-vitamin for your dog while doing this. Add ingredients one at a time to be sure your dog isn't allergic to them.
If you can't homecook, look at a single protein food like Natural Balance, Wellness Simple Foods, or Blue Buffalo. Natural Balance and Wellness both have several single protein / grain foods; Blue has single protein but multiple grains. If they still have problems, try a grain free diet like Evo might be the solution. This will help you get an idea of what ingredient is the problem.
Reply:It could be that their dog is allergic to chicken.
In any case, bad quality dog food can contribute to skin issues.
Reply:I've never heard of this. My vet recomends feeding my females chicken and rice when they are prgnant
I suppose if they have proven the dog has an allergic reaction to chicken maybe.
Reply:My dog gets all organic chicken kibble and raw chicken. She has NO skin problems. For my girl chicken is better, she has a very hard time with beef. She has not been tested, but we believe she is allergic to beef. In fact, we have pulled all beef and beef byproducts from her diet. I would not feed strictly beef as it can be very high in fat.
shamrock
Chicken in dog food?
my vet told me to give my dog chicken and beef. that it is good for them.
Reply:dogfood is bad for dogs in my opinion. it is primarily made of corn and wheat products and contains very little real meat anyway. i feed my dogs a diet of raw meat including chicken and they are doing better than i have ever seen them do before. dogs who live in the wild eat the meat that they can kill or forage. nobody has ever heard of wild dogs attacking and ravaging corn fields right?
Reply:chicken can cause allergies even with humans, some humans when they eat chicken their skin will be itchy...
beef or pork is better...
Reply:Chicken will not harm your dog, even in pet food. Lol its weird your vet said this because if chicken harmed dogs wouldnt chicken necks and wings harm your dog??? Maybe some rare cases are found were chicken causes skin irritations but i dare say your dog isnt one. Beef and chicken are both good for your dog, a variety is good as both have different nutrients in them. Well i feed my baby necks all the time and hes alive so theres somthing fishy about your vet.... I know pork in large amounts, fat, salt, sugar and CHOCOLAte all harm dogs but definately NOT chicken.. (chuckle) Best of luck Angel. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Reply:It might if the dog is allergic to chicken.
Reply:I'd find another Vet and soon!
Reply:Chicken in dog food is perfectly fine, as long as it is a good quality food. you will find however the dry dog foods that contain no wheat or allergy producing aditives etc usually contain turkey and rice not chicken. this is only because chicken has a higher amino acid content, but thats all.
Hope this helps
Reply:That's crazy. If one could afford it, it would be better to feed your dog meats only and no dry food. Think about dogs in the wild, they don't eat dry food.
Reply:This sound weird - but some dogs can be allergies to chicken. I am given my dogs chicken - the Pug if he does not get chicken in his food he will not eat at all. If your dog is sick as well - my vet told me to give chicken and rice. It is very strange to me. Maybe you must tell that someone to seek another vet.
Reply:dogs love chicken,come on
Reply:unless your dog is allergic to chicken, it won't harm him. I have a dog who can only eat poultry in his dog food as he is very allergic to beef and lamb so I would tell your friend to get another opinion from a different vet.
Reply:Chicken is a perfectly acceptable source of protein for a dog but occasionally a dog will develop an allergy to the protein in a certain food. Anything with protein can cause an allergy and allergies generally show up in the dog's skin.
The vet that said this was probably talking about a specific incedent or talking about dogs with allergies should try foods without chicken to see if they are allergic to that specific meat source.
Reply:Dogs can be allergic to pretty much anything. Inlcuding chicken, corn, wheat, soy, and I've even heard rice. The more common culprits to allergy issues is corn, wheat, and soy. If I suspected my dog had a food allergy. Also artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives can also trigger allergy reactions. I'd try an elimination diet. Start with a single protein and grain (Chicken and rice) and feed that for a few days. You may want to get a multi-vitamin for your dog while doing this. Add ingredients one at a time to be sure your dog isn't allergic to them.
If you can't homecook, look at a single protein food like Natural Balance, Wellness Simple Foods, or Blue Buffalo. Natural Balance and Wellness both have several single protein / grain foods; Blue has single protein but multiple grains. If they still have problems, try a grain free diet like Evo might be the solution. This will help you get an idea of what ingredient is the problem.
Reply:It could be that their dog is allergic to chicken.
In any case, bad quality dog food can contribute to skin issues.
Reply:I've never heard of this. My vet recomends feeding my females chicken and rice when they are prgnant
I suppose if they have proven the dog has an allergic reaction to chicken maybe.
Reply:My dog gets all organic chicken kibble and raw chicken. She has NO skin problems. For my girl chicken is better, she has a very hard time with beef. She has not been tested, but we believe she is allergic to beef. In fact, we have pulled all beef and beef byproducts from her diet. I would not feed strictly beef as it can be very high in fat.
shamrock
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