Our experience with the doggie dermatologist.

[seeknoxrun]

It's kind of hard to see the magnitude of the hair loss, but all the grey areas are where the hair is thinning and, in some spots, completely gone.

 

[seeknoxrun]

About 2 months ago, when the itching went from bad to crazy, she developed a rash around her groin area and her armpits. A short stretch of antibiotics cleared up the rash and prevented it from getting worse. Since then, I haven't seen any more rashes, but she does scratch hard enough on the backs of her front legs and in her armpits that I frequently find little scabs. She also has scabs and irritation in between the pads on her front paws.

 

[seeknoxrun]

I wonder if Iams would answer that question if you asked...

If she doesn't want to go raw how about home cooked? That way you can be sure theres no contamination.

I didn't ask about home cooked - the idea doesn't particularly appeal to me, considering how much cooking I'd have to do for her with how much she eats. But it beats feeding her Iam's, for sure. I'm just not convinced that Iam's is my best option in terms of kibble, even "hypoallergenic" kibble.

 

[Smart_Family]

If you're just looking for a limited ingredient kibble I can help but if you're set on kangaroo options are limited as it's a rather new protein source and expensive as all heck. I hope you're able to find some sort of resolution for your poor pup.

 

[seeknoxrun]

Some interesting info on this site as well http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/iams-veterinary-formulas-skin-coat-dry/. Can you get a second opinion? I hope Angelbears can be of some help as well.

I know, I looked that up on my phone when she stepped out of the exam room for a bit. :/ I told her I'd try the 8 weeks, but if she didn't start improving I would like to try different food options on my own (especially considering that crap is $80 for 25lbs!). I could get another opinion (and it's not completely out of the question), I would just have to harass my regular vet to refer us to someone else. All the specialty practices in my area are by referral only.

---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

If you're just looking for a limited ingredient kibble I can help but if you're set on kangaroo options are limited as it's a rather new protein source and expensive as all heck. I hope you're able to find some sort of resolution for your poor pup.

I'm not set on Kangaroo, no. That's just what the vet recommended. But I would be interested in hearing other limited ingredient formulas - I would like to NOT use fish proteins or lamb proteins, because she was presenting her symptoms while on those proteins. You can private message me for the sake of conversation if it's easier...

 

[seeknoxrun]

Stupid double posts!

 

[Smart_Family]

Will do!

 

[ruthcatrin]

If you cook it in big batches, portion out in meal or day portion sizes and freeze, you'd only have to cook it once a week or so. Not ideal, but better than crappy kibble.....and once you get a handle on what she can have you can change back.

 

[angelbears]

Smart, I wish I could be of some help with the kibble but I know nothing about it. We didn't try many kibbles went straight to raw when Cane started having chronic skin problems.

You most certainly are the expert. It is wonderful what you do for everyone needing help with kibble.

 

[bullyBug]

Um, do you have my dog over there?? Haha, that sounds almost exactly like what was discussed in our appointment today! The vet was definitely resistant to doing an allergy test for the same reasons, but it's hard for me to be patient about it. I just wish it didn't have to be such a long process!

We weren't sent home with any antibiotics. Her food trial will last at least 8 weeks, and she's not allowed anything but her food - no chews, no supplements, no treats. We were also instructed to bathe her in KetoHex twice a week and a conditioning cream rinse was optional. I'll try to get some good pictures of her and post them in a bit.

Lol, it's uncanny!

Yep, it's a real pain that we can't do the allergy test right away. I'm all about getting answers ASAP. It's why I did the culture. She actually recommended waiting the antibiotics out first, but why not just make sure you're on the right one right away?

Definitely use the cream rinse. I emailed my derm dr today asking if I should be using a rinse because the twice weekly baths are beginning to dry out Mason's skin. She recommended Hylyte Conditioner.

Your girls does not look as bad as Mason's. He has LOTS of patches of hair loss and/or thinning hair. It's scary how fast it happened. I'll post some pics in a bit.

Re: not wanting to use fish, check with your dermatologist if fish oil in the food is OK. The Iams Kangaroo contains fish oil. It's in the vast majority of the better foods available...especially in formulas geared towards food sensitivities. My doctor said I should avoid fish oil if not feeding fish, but I thought allergens were only present in protein and oil is fat? I didn't press her on it, but I might inquire further on that in the future.

If I didn't suspect my boy had a poultry allergy, (and wanted to do half commercial again) I'd be using Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient Turkey. It has canola and coconut oils. I hear a lot of "skin" dogs do well on the NV Rabbit formula. Canine Caviar has a Buffalo formula that looks really good. Right now I'm feeding a raw pork based diet. Pork meat, bones, and organs as well as a small amount of peas and blueberries. Come to think of it, Back to Basics has an excellent pork formula.

In the exam room, waiting.

(And strategically positioned to intercept all passerby-ers. Worked like a charm. )

 

[Sadies Mom]

I sure hope it all clears up. Sadie is allergic to chicken and here latley also figured out she does not tolerate graines. I have her on Natural Balance Sweet potato and Bison, Limited Ingredience formula. So far so good.....

 

[neomama]

I don't feed raw but I have talked to some neo breeders that only feed raw, they said their dogs that had allergies, or constant
ear infections, had them no more.

 

[musicdeb]

We went with a homeopathic vet and are totally raw with our big boy, Cane. Cane has suffered from pyoderma and other skin issues. We spent a lot of time and money taking him back and forth to the vet. It would get better but never completely heal and would come back even stronger in a couple of weeks.

We have seen drastic improvement over the last 3 months, since using the homeopathic. I actually think he will make a full recovery. I had given serious thought of putting him down. I just couldn't, so I made the phone call. Now I'm contemplating putting him down because he is the mean, stubborn cuss he was a couple years ago. LOL

It is still a very foreign concept for me. I feel like I should be smoking a joint, wearing a ty dye tee shirt and chanting when I give him his remedy but it really has worked, at least for us. If you want more info I would be more than happy to pm my phone number to you and try to answer any questions you may have.

As far as a dermatologist and allergy shots go, a lot of what I read said it was hit or miss. If it did work, often the dog would come down with different allergies.

Wishing you all the best in your search for a cure!

LMAO! I feel like I should be smoking a joint, wearing a ty dye tee shirt and chanting when I give him his remedy but it really has worked, at least for us.

I feel your pain, I'm dealing with skin allergies. BUT...it appears after 3 months on raw, Titan's skin is slightly improving. Titan was food allergy tested at 1 yr old. He was allergic to all kinds of meat. I've been giving him those meats in the raw form with no apparent problems at this time.

 

[GavTheMighty]

I have to say the same I was getting issues with Marley from 8 weeks old no food would settle well with him and he would often have the runs also pooping 7 times a day and bad breath etc then later he started to get ear infections and some spots/lumps on his head which would turn grey and scaly and hair loss. I switched to raw about 3 months ago had no more issues apart from maybe getting the balance right on how much to feed and finding out that beef liver doesnt really agree with him. But he is a very happy dog now and very healthy.

 

[musicdeb]

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It's kind of hard to see the magnitude of the hair loss, but all the grey areas are where the hair is thinning and, in some spots, completely gone.

This looks like Titan a couple of months ago. He's starting to get his hair back and the black part on the skin is disappearing. He was miserable. I was bathing him once a week and I took a break one week and his skin started to improve. I believe it's the combination of bathing every other week, brushing him every other day, and the raw diet that has helped his skin. Even his ear infections are gone!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I find this thread very fascinating Thor does get some "bald" spots but it usually occurs in the spring and summer months so I figure it was seasonal. In fact from readin these posts in my be diet. Even when I feed raw before he would still loose the hair, there was one summer he looked REALLY bad. It might be the chicken, Smart_Family I remember you saying mastiffs don't do well on chicken so that might be a possible culprit.

 

[seeknoxrun]

Okay, an update and collection of my thoughts so far...I spoke with anglebears on the phone yesterday (thank you again, so much!) and she told me about two products in particular that I could use topically to offer relief while we figure out the diet part. Oreganol (or oil of oregano) and witch hazel. I'd never heard of the oil of oregano, but after reading the reviews and all the different uses for it, I'm particularly excited to see if it'll help Roux's raw and painful toes/feet. The alcohol free witch hazel has been used to offer relief on dry, itchy skin... So, also excited to try that out. I'll be sure to update on my experience with this products. And, if they don't work for Roux, after reading all the reviews I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love the chance to try them out for myself!!

As for the diet... Since I've already paid $160 for two bags of Iam's Kangaroo, I'm torn between just following through with the dermatologist's food trial (at least until I use up the two bags) or conducting my own food trial. A raw trial is most appealing to me, and makes most sense to me. I know far too many people who were told their dogs were allergic to animal proteins, but they thrive on a raw diet. And, it makes more sense to me that if I'm going to do a food trial... how could it get any simpler and more accurate than testing one, pure protein at a time?? But, my husband appreciates the convenience and ease of dog kibble, so it's going to take a little more selling to him on that front. If he can't be convinced, Smart_family has given us some great information on single protein, limited ingredient formulas and I feel confident in her recommendations.

Thanks to everyone who has offered advice, ideas, and help! If anything else comes to mind, feel free to share!

 

[musicdeb]

Emily, please let us know how the oil of oregano and witch hazel work for Roux. I'm very interested in the 2 products for Titan.

Thank you, angelbears!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

^ Same here!

 

[rajsharma]

People love the sun. In fact, people go the distance in order to get a great tan. Your pet can not resist sunlight, outdoor particularly attractive to them. Dermatologists continue to warn people to be careful to spend too much time in the sun. Veterinary dermatologist also recommended that pet owners to prevent the risk of excessive exposure to the sun pet.

The sun is for everyone, human and animal health. It promotes the production of vitamin D in the skin. Deplete the body's vitamin is not easy, need the sun began its secretion, in order to help balance the metabolism in the body's calcium levels. But like they always say, everything should be in moderation. Too many things can be extremely harmful, as well as applicable under the sun. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet solar dermatitis or what we usually call the chief culprit in sunburn.