Coat Problems-Any input appreciated

chaos · 06-30-2008, 11:54 AM

I thought I had Arthur's coat problems resolved, but now it seems to be worse. He has a lot of flaking, dry skin and the hair on his back has become very sparse. He did the antibiotics and I am bathing him twice a week with a prescribed shampoo. I am switching him over to Great Life (grain and potato free lamb) from Orijen. I have also started him on K9 Show Stopper. Any ideas or suggestions? I really hate using antibiotics if I can do something naturally.

DobeGirl07 · 06-30-2008, 12:03 PM

I am sorry to hear about Arthur's coat problems. Did he not do well on Orijen? Did you feed Fresh Fish? I don't bathe my dogs but every 3-4 months.

Dobes&Hounds · 06-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Give the Showstopper about 3 weeks to do it's thing. I have not heard one negative review about it, and it really does re-grow coats.

gracieface · 06-30-2008, 12:11 PM

sorry to hear you have having such a bad time with his coat. I'd make sure he is getting a good fish oil or some fish daily (my gang will eat sardines of a fork). Add unpasturized apple cider vinegar to his drinking water, about a table spoon in half a gallon of water. keep us posted on how his coat is doing- poor boy, I hope he isn't in discomfort

alwayshadpets · 06-30-2008, 04:12 PM

I am not sure how long he has been on the new food, but when all else fails a lot of people go the raw route.
If you want something easy in the raw line Nature`s Variety makes raw medallion size pattys that has everything they need in it--around 5 different proteins sources. (you can google it and read up on it.) Fish Oil tablets and Vitamin E can also be added.
Sometimes I personally think dobermans immune systems are not quite up to snuff until they are 2 years old. This is just my own personal opinon.
The thinning hair on his back--if he had folliculitis the hair usually looks worse before it looks better.

**ellenm** · 06-30-2008, 04:16 PM

I assume you have checked his thyroid levels? My boy had dry, flaky skin and his thyroid was borderline low...so we started a low dose of thyroid and he shed the old dull coat and grew in a new coat. He has environmental allergies but his coat is lustrous and gorgeous...no dry skin at all. He does get lots of fish oil caps daily as well.

katekev04 · 07-01-2008, 06:48 AM

My red dobie has the same problems. More than likely its a seasonal/environmental or food allergy of some sort. When I took Teddy to the dermatologist she did many scrappings and tests. There are different types of canine alopecias also. The winter months are bad for my dobie and then summer comes (July) and his hair grows right back. We ruled out the seasonal alopecia which some dogs get. It was crazy trying to figure out what was going on-changed laundry, fabric softener, bought an air cleaner, threw out all my down comforters, bathed him in oatmeal soap, soapless soap, prescription soap, perscription sprays, Thyroid test, thyroid pills, you name it, I tryed it. The best thing I did was take him to the dermatologist.

chaos · 07-01-2008, 08:09 AM

Thanks all..I have not had his thyroid checked, but will make an appointment to do so. I am wondering if it could be the Advantix..I am going to switch to Frontline.

chaos · 07-01-2008, 08:10 AM

He is not scratching at all,which makes me wonder if it is allergies.

jaxadam · 07-01-2008, 08:24 AM

Where in Florida are you? Captain has been having some serious issues, and a lot of people we know have been having bad allergy problems with their dogs the past few months.