Cockers are notorius for skin issues. Poor things. I'm think yeast infection by all the places that are irritated. Moisture can really cause problems. Their coats are SO thick that the skin can't breathe. All kinds of interesting things can icubate in there.

They can also be allergic to the most random things. We have a cocker client that when through lengthy testing that stretched for months only to discover the dog was allergic to dust. Now he needs 2 injections a day but his coat is completely grown in again, no scratching, and he's finally doing better with the groom.

When dogs have medical issues that make grooming uncomfortable or painful, itcan be very hard to get them to trust you again. You really want to find someone that will take their time with your dog for the bigger picture.. Not just muzzle him up, strap him down, and groom him anyways. That can really put a dog off of grooming- sometimes for the rest of his life.

Hope you get those pics up. Melissa is wayyyy more experienced than me and can help you. I'm just a baby groomer not even done with school!

Good luck!!

 Quote: Cindy Herr

Thank you Lori, we seem to be going down the same road as you did changing the foods from single protein to now grain free and the vet did mention allergy testing (the blood type) at our last visit. It is very frustrating and I know you said even after you found out what your dogs allergies were the shots really didn't help so what has worked best to make your dog more comfortable other then the raw food diet? I am suspecting enviromental allergies but I guess it could be a number of things. Sounds like we need to get to a derm vet as soon as we can find one.

ASAP, I think, since you have a GP vet recommending blood tests for allergies.

I wanted to let you know that more dogs are helped by the desensitization injections that are compounded by the intradermal testing lab than are not, so don't think you should give up on that route.

However, a derm vet will have a lot to suggest and test for long before you get to intradermal testing -- like malassezia, which I have to say I'm dismayed has not been tested for already.

Of course, yeast overgrowth has a trigger (often allergies, but also seborrhoea), but meanwhile it could be treated topically as well as identified, along with any bacteria accompanying it. And you have described classic yeast symptoms in a dog whose breed is genetically predisposed to yeast overgrowth (Maltese, Westies, Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Silkies, Australian Terriers, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Shetlands, Lhasa Apsos, and Dachshunds).

How much does the dog weigh? A gram of fish oil (1000 mg) is a therapeutic dose for a ten-pound dog.

 Quote: Cindy Herr

By butt area I mean around the anus and on the under side of his tail close to the anus.

A small part of the equation, but yeast live in the anal sacs (and ears) all the time, and an overgrowth (secondary to allergies or sebbhoria) would typically present in those areas (and the paws and any skin folds).

Do you notice any odor? Any greasy or waxy feel to the skin anywhere?

Any darkening or thickening of any undercarriage skin?

 Quote: Cindy Herr

Sorry, I can't figure out how to post a pic.

Can you link us to a Photobucket-type (free account) picture?

He weighs around 36 pounds and he does have some black discoloration around his underside and around his anus. We have had this black mold in our yard this year and I wonder if this could be whats triggering his problems. Also he does have a bit of a smell to his feet. Can a vet derm tell if it's yeast or if it's another allergy? So which allergy test is best and what is involved with getting it? He hates the vet so I am wondering how he will sit and take allergy testing. He doesn't feel greasy but I batehd him about a week and a half ago and he doesn't smell too good.

http://s889.photobucket.com/albums/ac94/bixa525/?action=view&current=Duncan021.jpg

Hope this works

Cindy: I wanted to encourage you re: the aggression when you try and groom his feet.When my cody had allergies he didn't like to have anyone touch his feet. Now that his allergies have cleared up he doesn't mind half as much. And doesn't snap anymore.
Hope this encourages you. Sharon

What a pretty dog! He looks beautifully groomed to me. What a nice size.

Oh good! I'm glad you were able to get a photo up. The good news is that you have less of a groom than a purebred cocker spaniel and I'm betting this can be done at home without a ton of fuss. Happily your dog isn't of the coat type where constant grooming is required for health and safety so you do have time to work with him and learn how to correctly groom him yourself.

First off safety first. Please use at least a nylon muzzle (better would be a jaffco one) to start with and a helper for this dog. This video will help you http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/muzzle.flv teach your dog that a muzzle isn't a bad thing.

Part 2 is teaching your dog to stand steady on a surface that's easy to work on. This can be a grooming table, a card table, or the kitchen table. My preference is that my dogs get on the table themselves via the chair I use to sit on for grooming. If your dog happily accepts getting picked up and put on a table you can do that too.

Part 3 is touching the feet while wearing the muzzle being a rewarding thing. Little steps and lots of positive rewards. Add duration and holding the feet and you're ready for step 4.

Part 4 is touching the feet, while wearing a muzzle, while you have a tool in your hand. My favorite tool is the slicker brush for this kind of work.

Part 5 is grooming which is easy. This vid is a pretty good example of how to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfPuaotli6I

Let me know if you need any further help or have questions about grooming the rest of him.

 Quote: Cindy Herr

Thank you Lori, we seem to be going down the same road as you did changing the foods from single protein to now grain free and the vet did mention allergy testing (the blood type) at our last visit. It is very frustrating and I know you said even after you found out what your dogs allergies were the shots really didn't help so what has worked best to make your dog more comfortable other then the raw food diet? I am suspecting enviromental allergies but I guess it could be a number of things. Sounds like we need to get to a derm vet as soon as we can find one.

First, Cindy, Connie is right when she says more dogs are helped with the allergy shots than not - it's about 70% that are helped to some extent. Kasey is helped by them a little, we are still giving them.

Second, there are a lot of combinations to try with things like antihistimines, yeast meds, shots, diet, etc. Kasey gets secondary yeast easily, so we now are on a protocol of antihistimines daily, oral yeast Rx on Saturday and Sunday only to prevent the yeast, the shots, and when necessary we give cortisone every other day for a week to break the cycle - the cortisone dosing varies greatly according to how he's doing, sometimes we go for a long time without it, other times he needs it a few times a month.

If you have a good derma vet they will try everything and experiment to see what combo works best. Oh, and don't forget the flea protection - many allergy dogs have bad reactions to fleas!

You have my sympathy! It's frustrating!!!