dog skin problems

[DeathGrip]

hi, I am deathgrips wife and our giant schnauzer, diesel, has severe skin problems.We know he is allergic to wheat and corn, so both my dogs get the best dogfood there is,plus I cook for them too. diesel is also allergic to flea saliva, 1 flea bite(even he does not have any) can ruin him for weeks. deathgrip came home today, before me, called me and let me know, that diesel chewed himself raw on his back. I do not want to take him to the vet again, because they give him steroids, they work, but.... there has to be something more natural out there to help diesel with that.any suggestions are welcome. thank you

 

[straightshooter1]

I have a dog with similar problems. We have tried about everything and, so far, only the trip to the vet and the steroids has helped. They give us a steroid and antibiotic spray to use between visits>

Expensive little boogers, aren't they? But they are part of our family.

Will be watching and hoping someone knows something better for these problems.

Bob

 

[truckemup97]

I have no personal experience with it, but Dinovite promises relief in their commercials.

 

[will5a1]

My small bassett will itch herself till she bleeds, and so far only a trip to the vet and the predisone oral steroid has worked. I will try the Dinovite and see if that gives her any relief.

 

[7tenz]

Mrs. D

It's hard to say if my dogs have had the same thing. I would get a second opinion. My vet gave me Cephalexin(sp?) an antibiotic and hydroxizine for the itch. He said the Cortizone is too powerful to give again and again.

The dog died of a heart attack during a lightning storm so I can't say if it helped, but my wolf came down with the same symptoms. I think it was a fungal infection. I gave him the leftover pills from the first dog, and rubbed Lotrimin cream on the sores. So far it seemed to cure it. I got the Lotrimin spray first but they won't hold still for that. Lotrimin is an anit-fungal medication advertized for athlete's foot.

Yeah, they are expensive, but worth it. I just paid $200 to remove foxtails from the ear and mouth and throat of one of the pit/lab mixes.

 

[84CJ]

A teaspoon of Cod Liver Oil worked great for a dog I had some years back. He would get bad rashes time to time. He never had another rash after that. I started him off with one teaspoon a day and the cut back to only ounce or twice a week and eventually only gave it to him when I would think about it maybe every two to three weeks. He weighed about 45 to 50 pounds. Short haired. I think he just had a problem with dry skin and would scratch himself to death. We give it to our cats every so often makes their skin and hair very shiny and slick or just plain oily.

 

[84CJ]

I shoud say. Did not get this advice from a vet. My grandma or grandpa gave me this advice along with a dose. That stuff is nasty.

 

[montezumaz]

Benadryl in the food and a good hydracortizone cream with aloe should bring some relief. (Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in dogs is 1-2 mg/lb.)
Also, here is the link for a product called Skin-eze that is non-steroidal.

 

[mwtdvm]

I was in Fla in private practice and saw waaay more flea allergies than I wanted.. Used way more steroids than I wanted.

It's fairly complicated but essentially the immune system over reacts and you end up with a dog chewing himself/herself raw. and as you know, one bite can set them off. I had a personal dog and cat that both were hypersensitive. Both got steroids as needed and in as low a dosage as possible.

There is a new product out that isn't cheap, Comfortis, by Eli Lily and I had my dog on it last year. I saw one flea on the dog and it was dead. The previous occupants left plenty of fleas and hookworms behind in the backyard. Comfortis is once a month oral tablet and has no side effects but needs to be given with food. I do not know how well it will work on a hypersensitive dog but I would give it a try.

You will probably still need steroids occasionally. Treating the house is also a good idea. To find out if you have fleas in the house, remove all the pets for a couple of weeks and the little buggers will start snacking on you.

Green Light has the same active ingredient in a yard spray. It has worked on fire ants better than anything else I've used.
Good Luck!
I have no financial interest in Eli Lily or Elanco..

 

[mtb1bkr]

Mrs DG,
You could move out here to the desert, we don't have fleas as they don't do well in the sun.

Bill

 

[packin-heat]

My Newfy had skin problems for years, and I can tell you Mrs D is correct. Cephalexin works with the use of an antifungle cream. I tried many other options but that one was the best. Also Benadryl will relieve the itching, but make sure all medication is given under your vets knowledge. Natural product like Peatry(sp?)oil is also suggested to heal the soars and relieve the itchng. Also diet can contribute to the problem. I also use flee medication to keep the dogs free of bites, and now have no problems.

 

[packin-heat]

http://www.shirleys-wellness-c...com/petallergies.htm

Here is an article for you. I would cut out all pet foods and cook real food for him right now, atleast until this clears up. He's probably allergic to something in the pet food. Even the best pet foods are no good garbage.

 

[packin-heat]

http://www.preciouspets.org/truth.htm

http://www.preciouspets.org/report.htm

 

[BobsSmith]

You might as your vet about Front Line for fleas and ticks. My dog has had minor allergy problems. As mentioned, Benadryl may help.

I also give my dog a bath with a shampoo called Septaiderm Shampoo, helps with itching. They also make a anti itch lotion. That is the only shampoo I will use. Been using it for 12 years for my girl, a Husky Mix. You should be able to buy it at any major pet store, Pet Food Express, Petco etc..

Best

Bob

 

[44wheelman]

Benadryl, our vet recommended to try, but said it only has a 15%- 20% success rate. It does make our dog a little groggy, which isn't entirely a bad thing either.

 

[m1gunner]

I had 2 Labs with awful skin "itchies". They would chew the areas till they bled.

After much discussion with my vet, we put them on predisone for the rest of their lives. I know it is hard on their systems, but the skin problems were worse. Dogs do not live long, so a medication that might shorten a human's life by 10 years really doesn't harm a dog.

One of the guys lived more than 15 years, the orher was put down at 14. Ancient for Labs.

And as far as flea control, Frontline plus is the best stuff I've ever found.

 

[DeathGrip]

Thanks alot Friends!!! Mrs.D.G. Know I know why DeathGrip hangs out at the Lounge.

 

[7tenz]

Originally posted by DeathGrip:
Thanks alot Friends!!! Mrs.D.G. Know I know why DeathGrip hangs out at the Lounge.

From one dog's human to another, your very welcome and I hope for the best for it.

 

[Newfyman]

I raise and show Newfoundlands (some of you may have wondered why I go by Newfyman here on the forum) and Newfys do have skin problems. After trying many different medications, an old dog handler told me about Pinesole. Yes the stuff you mop the floor with. Just pour it on, rub it in and leave it. Twelve hours later wash it off with warm water and pour it on again. Within 24 hours you will see the healing begin. We have been using this for several years and it certainly works.

 

[biggs357]

I had 2 giant schnauzers and one had the same hot spots as yours.I ended up putting mine on a special diet and front line.check with your vet as to when you can use the front-line,just remember not to bath your dog 24 hours after that.The special diet i used is called the (b.a.r.f) diet,it's bones and raw fish.It sounds bad but it works.Infact thats what i'm using now for my new pup,i hope this can help.

Is your dogs ears cropped or down,if they are down you may want to check for ear mytes.

Also watch your shampoo you use on your dog.Alot of the shelf shampoo has harsh detergents that can further hinder the dog.

Put up a pic of him id'e love to see him