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Skin problems from store food?
I have two dogs, Pooh Bear- retriever/chow mutt, Holly the Basset Hound. Both of which have these horrible skin problems. They have these rashes that get a thick dark scab to them. They have pulled out most of their fur and they bleed from them on occasion. We have seem several different vets over the past couple years to get different opinions and the only answers are...Stress, just dry skin, sunburn, or fleas. Well we treated them for fleas and there is none. I've given them every medications the doctors have prescribed. No relief. This has been going on for about 3 years now. And has gotten much much worse. Poor Pooh Bear has a completely bald lower back and a bald tail except for a poof ball at the end. My dogs are outdoor dogs, but Pooh bear is afraid of water and it takes 4 grown men to hold her and even when they get her in the tub she gets out too quickly so she hasn't been bathed for YEARS! but holly on the other hand gets bathed regularly. Also, And I don't know if this is one of the reasons but my parents have fed them store-brand canned food (canned slop pretty much) for 8 or so years. And I felt so bad for them that I began to make homemade food for them. I have been feeding them the homemade for 2 months now with no change in their condition. They will be going to a raw diet soon once I find a local supplier that I trust. Could their diet be the cause of the issue.
Oh BTW, I have tried anti-itch cream on them everyday. still no relief. And I've researched and tried tons of home remedies. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pooh's Back, much worse since pic was taken: Pooh Back again: Pooh's lump on her chest bone, cancer? |
#2
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As for the lump , you would need to have it check (and tested if needed) by a vet. |
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__________________
Wayne Dad To : George 18 year beagle, Rest in peace little buddy....love Beathoven 7 year old mutt Maggie 5 year jack russell Felix 15 year tabby Ozzie 12 year tabby Tigger 10 year long hair cat marley just a pup sasha grand pup___________________________________________________________ Lettin the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin it back in. Most of the stuff people worry about ain't gonna happen anyway. |
#4
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Sine they live outside, and both dogs who are not related are experiencing the same problems, if I'm understanding correctly, is it possible there is something in the yard they might be reacting to?
Do you use any chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides in the yard? Do people around you? Is there anything on your property that they might be being exposed to? |
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#6
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Ground eggshells are one option, as is bonemeal (not the gardening kind!), or there are commercially available calcium supplements. |
#7
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That looks exactly like demodectic mange ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange ). I strongly suggest you get your vet to do a skin scraping.
I would also continue with the home and/or raw feeding as a proper diet will increase the strength of their immune system which will, in turn, help resolve the skin issue (along with the appropriate medication). Hope this helps.
__________________
"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -Will Durant |
#8
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My cousin also suggested rubbing Vitamin E oil on their skin and to give them fish oil supplements. She also said that i may want to try a very soft bristle brush such as a infant hair brush to stimulate oil production on their skin to help ease the dryness. Quote:
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#9
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These dogs won't get any help from Vitamin E , they need to see a vet that knows about skin conditions. The more I look at the pictures , the more I do think it's demodex (mange)
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#10
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Well then, I suggest you use some of that free time to find a new vet to whom you can insist do a skin scraping. That can't possibly be comfortable for your poor dogs.
__________________
"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -Will Durant |
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Just wondering if these poor dogs went back to the vet yet ?
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#12
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No I have to wait until Andy's next paycheck which is friday, august 8...
We put the entire surgery bill for my cat, Bob, on a credit card and it's very close to being maxed out. |
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are you familiar with Durham at all?? there is the only emergency vet in our area off of 15-501. they have a really great Vet Dermatologist. go see them!!
i will PM you with the number. ive found that dogs can digest most anything. what they get from it is another story. we feed our dog a raw anything diet along with any of our left overs minus grapes/onions/chocolate. its been doing him pretty good. Food Lion sells chicken quarters for under $0.45/lb. if you can get them on shipment day they are fantastic but we have found the closer you get to their expiration date the nastier they are. Food Lion also has great sales in the morning. go early for half off deals of choice cut meats. its the only place i know of that sells cow tongue. if youre interested in doing homemade foods, really look through the forum for advice and stuff. i know quite a few of us have posted our 'recipes' youre right down the road from me!!! -ash
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