This was a message I sent to someone else. Maybe you guys can help... Thanks

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I posted a thread about my female Malinois who has had some hair loss issues. She would scratch to no end, causing hairloss on the rear legs, front legs, around the face etc.

My vet explained that after the scrapings, we found no mites. Not sarcoptic, not demodectic, nothing. We still treated as if were mites thoug. We tried tactic for 4wks, Amitraz for 4 wks, OIntments (goodwinol), and also, medicated shampoos.

I remember you saying something on it possibly being a thyroid, etc problem.

I contacted the breeder, he traded me for a new male pup.

Things have been going well. But now I notice the same signs as the other female I had. The last one was tighter line bred and this one is of 2 different parents. Now this one is losing hair around its eyes. I don't want it to spread like the other dog did. The dog now is 2.5 months old.

Others have told me if it were mange they didn't get why its strating so early. Normally the dog will show signs 6-8mo old.


So now that this isn't a dog specific thing, what could be the cause?I seriously doubt that both of them could have food allergies. I also heard that food allergies will cause an ear infection.

What could be the cause of this? Is this me causing this, if so, what could possibly cause it if it were my error.

Someone else told me their dog lost hair and their vet told them to put the dog on a schedule. Food, bathroom, sleep, etc. and they said it went away. I am here most of the day and take him out plenty, etc. Could the schedule be a problem?

This is really disappointing me as I spent $400 in the vet on the last one. I can't really do this again.

Thanks

Aaron, if it were me I'd try getting help from a good Holistic Vet. My guess would be that they would be able to do more for you than a conventional Vet, in my opinion! You have never said what you are feeding you're dogs? Also you have not provided any information about recent vaccines, flea treatments, etc. What about EFA supplements or any other supplements you are using?

Glenn

I think that most skin irritations are usually caused by parasites or diet.

I'd switch to a raw diet, if not raw go with a high grade kibble and add some suppliments for coat and skin. (can be as simple as some lipids and vitamins)

A skin scraping won't always pick up sarcoptic mange either. The scabies will go to the lowest layer of dermis possible, so a skin plug is needed to test. Good news is, Revolution is excellent at treating sarcoptic, for 10 bucks you can try it, and it won't hurt the dog if it isn't mange.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Glenn Wills:
You have never said what you are feeding you're dogs? Also you have not provided any information about recent vaccines, flea treatments, etc. What about EFA supplements or any other supplements you are using?

Glenn

Ok. For the last female I had before I traded for this guy:

-fed her Iams, switched as I thought it may be the brand, went to ProPlan, then to Large Breed Iams, then Adult dog food as I heard that the puppy foods, any, will cause the dog to stretch.

Also I fed her dog/puppy multi vitamins that you can get at walmart. The breeder also told me to feed her sardines as it is high in oils and is good protein, which is true in essence.

Curently with this one I am feeding Diamond puppy. As the breeder I got it from is feeding his dogs this.

Then I fed one sardine a week in the food. So far, I fed the one mixed in the dog food for this week. This was the first time in the hopes it would do me some good. He liked let me tell you.

As far as shots. Just like the last pup. everything is the same. The 7-1 shot every 3wks and an extra to be safe. With the first female I thought it might be due to the bringing her to a "dog park" here where I go to school. Then I thought it might be due to the water of the lake by the house where people go to jog.

Other than this nothing. I was so paranoid with this pup that I haven't been to the lake, haven't gone to any dog parks, etc.

Just here at my house, outin fields where other dogs don't frequent, and so on. Pretty secure. I gave a shot today, and a shot 3 wks agao. And now I am up to date. He has not come in ANY contact with ANY other dog as of now. He's heard other dogs and maybe see while in the truck, but never touch.


Any other question ask so you can help me better.

Originally posted by VanCamp Robert:
I think that most skin irritations are usually caused by parasites or diet.

I'd switch to a raw diet, if not raw go with a high grade kibble and add some suppliments for coat and skin. (can be as simple as some lipids and vitamins) like what high grade kibble and where do I get it?

Thanks

Originally posted by Laura Waddell:
A skin scraping won't always pick up sarcoptic mange either. The scabies will go to the lowest layer of dermis possible, so a skin plug is needed to test. Good news is, Revolution is excellent at treating sarcoptic, for 10 bucks you can try it, and it won't hurt the dog if it isn't mange. I uinderstand that you do NOT want to treat herding breeds with ivermectin.....

From my understanding it may kill your herding breed....

Aaron, the problems with Ivermectin were with Collies, not all herding dogs.

Revolution is not ivermectin but in the same class of drugs.


Diamond is better than most but the puppy food does have corn gluten meal and corn is a major source of allergic reactions in dogs. I am sure others who use kibble can point to a better quality but that does not mean that it *is* the food, just another variable you can get under control.

I’m not sure why my recommendation of using Gentian Violet has been “disappeared”. But it bears repeating; Gentian violet is an excellent treatment for most skin issues. It and kills a wide range of fungus and bacteria but is extremely safe to use. In fact it is so safe that polar bears are given full body baths in the stuff to treat dermatitis.
Its only draw back is that it is a purple dye, and your dog will have purple spots where you applied it. The benefit is that you can verify where you have put it and that it is still on the dog.. If the dog has skin issues treat them with Gentian Violet, if the issue is not fungal or bacterial, at least it will prevent a secondary infection.

Originally posted by Thomas Mincher:
I’m not sure why my recommendation of using Gentian Violet has been “disappeared”. But it bears repeating; Gentian violet is an excellent treatment for most skin issues. It and kills a wide range of fungus and bacteria but is extremely safe to use. In fact it is so safe that polar bears are given full body baths in the stuff to treat dermatitis.
Its only draw back is that it is a purple dye, and your dog will have purple spots where you applied it. The benefit is that you can verify where you have put it and that it is still on the dog.. If the dog has skin issues treat them with Gentian Violet, if the issue is not fungal or bacterial, at least it will prevent a secondary infection. Yea, your post did disappear. But you were saing you could get this at walmart?