Skin problem / Hair loss due to malnutrition and bacterial infection?

chrislovessushi · 05-22-2008, 12:07 AM

The dog is only 7 weeks old, when we got him, about 5 days ago, his skin was very dry, almost scaly. Lots of little "pimples" and bumps. Also a lot of hair loss and peeling. His head is the bumpiest, but his back and above his tail is the baldest.

The little guy was being fed Old Roy (ugh) mixed with either water or goats milk, depending on what they felt like giving them that day...It's sad, I know. We (me and my girlfriend) saw him and HAD to take him in.

We took him to our vet (which is awesome) on monday and she did a few tests on the little guy. He tested negative for any parasites in his fecies, negative for demodex/red mange, and also negative for a yeast infection. Our vet told us that more than likely the hair loss was due to a bacterial infection caused by stress and malnutrition. This little guy and his littermates had it pretty rough. So she gave us an anti-biotic (Clavomax) and a anti-fungal/bacterial shampoo (Malaseb) which we have washed him in once and will do every other day until his next check up (Tuesday).

As an update, his skin has cleared up a LOT since his first washing with the Malaseb. The bumps are down if not all gone and he doesnt look nearly as dry and scaly...he still looks pretty rough though. There was also a very loud smell coming from him. I recognized the smell from a bacterial infection my first dog contracted during a pretty stressful time. That smell is now completely gone. As for his fur, if I pinch any spot that's still left on him and pull it then it will come out in clumps...not actually "clumps"...but you know...atleast 4 or 5 strands. We also switched his food from that god awful old roy to a mixture of science diet and mighty dog lamb and rice. Our last vet weigh-in was 7lbs which as far as I've read is normal for his age.

Any input would be AWESOME as we're really new to dobermans. I've been wanting a larger dog and he sort of fell into our lap. If you guys would like to hear his sad story I'll be posting it in the new members section. Thanks for reading.

Patches Mom · 05-22-2008, 12:32 AM

If you really want to do your puppy a favor do not feed Science Diet it is only a step or two up from Ole Roy. Please go to Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble start reading labels on dog food packages be informed on what you are feeding your pup. It is my understanding it is better for a Doberman to be taken off puppy food at about 3 months old and put on adult food so they will not grow so fast.
Science diet has corn in it some dogs do not do well on corn in their diets.
If you feed a better quality food you do not have to feed as much of it so the cost of the better food is about the same as the cheaper stuff you have to feed more of.
Since you got your puppy too early you need to read about bite inhibitions in pups.Should be something on it if you use the search at the top of the page also look up house breaking their are good tips there on that also.
Puppies should stay with their mom's and litter mates until about 8 weeks old they learn so much playing with each other about how hard to bite and play nicely.
Good Luck with your pup you really have to watch Doberman's they are like goats they will eat anything & everything so keep you socks put up hope you have a crate for when you can not watch the pup keeps them safe.
Patches Mom
Sorry found your post about your pups mother passing away

DLS · 05-22-2008, 12:07 PM

Sounds like a type of seborrhea. Secondary seborrhea occurs after infestations with parasites, or from fungus infections, allergies, bacterial hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases. And with the blues and fawns it is assosiated with color mutant alopecia syndrome.
Therapy should include the use of medicated shampoos, nutritional supplements, treatment with appropriate antibiotics. Medicated shampoos containing Tar and sulfur will help remove the scales and debris from the skin.

chrislovessushi · 05-22-2008, 04:17 PM

Thanks a lot for the info guys! As for his health, we have been using the medicated shampoo every other day and that's a definite improvement. The antibiotics killed his foul smell so Im assuming thats a good sign in the way of clearing up his infection. We havnt supplemented his diet with anything special. He gets chicken every so often, science diet, mighty dog, and whatever iams he steals from the other dogs bowls. He definitely looks better. His skin is still flaky and dandruffy but it's smooth almost everywhere, his head is still a little bumpy and he still has three little wounds from the skin scrapings.

As for crates, sock monitoring, and bite inhibition, I'm pretty good to go. I was aware of inhibitions so me and my girlfriend started yelping at him when we first got him. He is now much more gentle during play but still slips up from time to time. He's pretty nippy but I get pretty stern with him when he gets rough. My boxer has really taken him under her wing. They have a great time playing together and chasing toys around the yard together. The boxer seems really pleased to finally have another dog around with as much energy as her so she doesnt have to play with humans all the time. I think it's a big help because she does keep the puppy in line as far as when he gets too aggressive or nippy but that has pretty much stopped. Overall I'd say the little guy is really happy! He certainly wags his little tail a lot.

What sort of suppliments should I give him? I was thinking some form of fish oil for his skin. Would canned sardines be appropriate? Also, what brands do you guys prefer? I see a lot of mention of Orijen here. I'm going to run by one of my towns nicer pet stores and see what I can find. I'll grab some Orijen if it's available, otherwise I'll wait for feedback from you all.

chrislovessushi · 05-22-2008, 05:28 PM

Just went and picked up some bil-jack for puppies. It was recommended by the owner of the store and every other premium food seemed to be centered around seniors.

pilotboy14 · 05-22-2008, 10:41 PM

Sorry to read what you're going through with your new pup...but as a newer Dobie owner who went through a very similar situation I know your pain. I adopted my girl four months ago and she felt like a hair brush and had a dreadfully thin coat from head to tail. The thinning hair led to dry skin and similar pimples to form on her head, shoulders, and hips. Through excellent advice found on this website from caring members I switched to canidae all life stages and am now supplimenting with fish oil (2000mg/day) and vitamin E (200iu/day)--and this is for a 55lb dog. She also gets high protein additives such as eggs and organic plain yogurt several times a week. She's now shiny and Very soft to the touch, anywhere I take her I get comments on how beautiful she is and it all came from small adjustments to her diet.

Obviously you won't be able to make such drastic changes with a puppy, but the best news is that you found the best place for premuim advice on Doberman's! Loads of great people here.....Oh, and welcome to DT from NC! Best of luck with your pup.

chrislovessushi · 05-22-2008, 10:50 PM

I couldnt agree more that this place will be a valuable asset in the raising of our new pup. Grayson just had his second washing with his medicated shampoo, and WOW. My roommate noticed immediately that he looked better after we dried him off. His bald spots are are filled in with thick new fur and his bumps are all almost gone...I could probably count on two hands how many bumps are on his entire body. The shampoo cleared up all of the dry skin and scales that had made him continue to feel rough and bumpy. He looks MUCH better! He's still not looking 100% but he sure acts it.

On a side note, this was the third bath of his life and he handled it like a champ! He was a little wiggly but he didnt whine once...a huge improvement from his first bath where we actually stopped halfway through because of his whining. This is a big weight off my shoulders...I was starting to fear the idea of wrestling a 80lb dobe in the bath tub in the future. Thanks for the advice guys.

How should I give him fish oil? Are there pills made for dogs? Im not sure how to dose a puppy his size.

chrislovessushi · 05-27-2008, 07:10 PM

Just thought I'd let everyone know that Grayson finished his anti-biotics sunday. We took him to the vet this morning and she was amazed at how much better he looked. No more bumps or bald spots! He looks brand new and his coat is even a little shiney! Going to go ahead and make an appointment for next week to have his ears done.

sorthund · 05-28-2008, 12:50 AM

Got on this thread late.... In addition to better food, fish oil, vit E, I'd also add Vit C to boost his immune system. I'd give 1000 mg daily, but check with your vet first.
You can get liquid fish oil and put on his kibble, or some dogs will eat the liquid capsules as candy, it varies from dog to dog, however the liquid kind should be safe as it is very tasty to dogs --- FISH, ummmmm!
Lucky Grayson he came to live with you!

Patches Mom · 05-28-2008, 01:23 AM

Sorry but Bil Jac is not that good nowdays either if you go to Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble or check out Whole Dog Journal they have a list of good foods too. I feed Canidae All Life Stages to my Doberman he has done well on it he is 2 years old and weighs about 88#.
If you read information on Blues I think you will learn allot about their special coat care and needs.
Good Luck with your puppy.
Patches Mom