Going Crazy!

Lisn123 · 08-05-2008, 08:57 PM

We are going crazy with food choices... and I'm afraid we are 'over thinking' it.
Our puppy is 13 weeks--he started having some patching skin spots about a week ago. (as the vet described it--"moth eaten"--thats what it looks like just slightly bare--but not down to the skin) Anyway, they did a scrape tonight & said we don't see any mites... but.... he seems to fit the characteristics.. the patches are getting worse.. he bites at his skin here & there. So lets just treat him for mites....
I said "Wait--I think its food allergy" (this is what the breeder suspects) but the vet seems to believe that he is too young to have a food allergy already. (I'm not convinced she is right)
So we are going around & around--very frustrated. Because something is obviously up with his coat--and we can't figure it out. Maybe its dry... maybe its his "puppy coat"... maybe its mites... maybe it allergies.
So my husband & I are going around & around about what food to put him on.
There are a million choices & they all seem to have a million ingredients.
We had him on Canidae ALS--and now they have changed formulas, so its like he's starting something new anyway. (and I have NOT heard anything good about the new formula)
Our older dobe has been on a lamb & rice his whole life, due to skin allergies & he has made it to over 13 yrs. I know every dog is different... Just wish there was a simple answer.
Thanks for listening to my complaints.. and would love to hear any suggestions.

Dobejazz · 08-05-2008, 09:06 PM

I am going to try ProPlan salmon for Casper - I researched til my head was spinning and when I was able to think clearly again I'd seen Proplan mentioned quite few times in a positive way - I'd also heard good things about Innova but it's twice the price - So I'll start with proplan salmon first and move up to innova if need be

michael327 · 08-06-2008, 02:59 AM

Went through a similar experience with my female. She was very sick after her rabies vac. Vomiting and explosive diarrhea for two days. Ran back to the vet (15 years with him) and was told no way vaccine related probably colic . Gave her meds to calm her stomach which did not help, I gave her canned pumpkin witch stopped the diarrhea. Then the scratching started mostly ears and neck, back to the same vet this time he said seasonal allergies, sees a lot of it this time of year. I did not agree as they both (litter mates) had shown no scratching prior to last round of vaccinations. Went to a second vet to get a second opinion and was told reaction to vaccination , she gave them both some holistic remedy to heal that - scratching getting worse. was back to her 5 days latter because by now my female couldn't walk 5 steps without stopping to scratch and started to have hair loss around ears neck and chest - moth eaten is a good description. Totally frustrated at this point I went to a third vet recommended by the people who own the pet store I get some food supplies from. He spent 2 hours with me and agreed vaccination probably suppressed her immune system and thought it could be domodetic mange so scraping was done.
We also checked blood and thyroid. Next morning I get an e-mail saying blood work and thyroid are fine and scraping was negative BUT he had consulted with a vet dermatologist and she suggested scrapings be taken from a minimum of 6 to 10 sites(outch) because mites can be hard to find. OK back next day, do 8 scrapings and find sarcoptic mites !!! yuck
End of story - gave her ivermectin injection and two weeks latter scratching has almost stopped completely, skin is not inflamed and hair already seems to be coming back. ( she got a 2nd injection to make sure we get them all) Had to treat my boy to because sarcoptic mange is communicable and he got it too but not as bad. Moral of story - I will stay with last vet for life now - other two did not listen to me or answer my questions when I pointed out various skin marks, bumps , red marks. Second vet did not even put her on exam table and take a close look !!
Sorry for rant here. I post this to say if it is mites double check to be sure, it spreads fast and is not pretty. I went through all the mental gymnastics as to allergies or vaccine reaction, fleas, bug bites ........
I now feed raw + some cooked + keep origen kibble on hand if I get caught short on time to prepare for them. Good luck and I hope you resolve your little guys problem soon.

**voodoolizard** · 08-06-2008, 03:15 AM

what about salmon oil for the coat ??

dobegal · 08-06-2008, 06:21 AM

I don't know what your finanical situation is but I go to a Vet Specialist when my reg vet does not seem to get a grip
on somethings IMO that being said after visiting a Vet Specialist I was given Maleseb shampoo (needs to be gotten from vet)
when one of my girlshad bacteria staph infection. It does not sound like that with your dog but the shampoo really does help with their skin as Dobes are know to have skin issues.

MY69RS · 08-06-2008, 07:16 AM

Not to sure about the skin infection but my pups went through a bad time with stomach problems. After 3 different foods we went to Pro Plan and like majic no more problems. I thought they had a nice shinny coat before but after going to Pro plan it really shined and got noticably softer. I have heard not to bath them to much because it dries out there skin I dont know if you do that just thought id mention it.

Dobemom2b · 08-06-2008, 09:02 AM

Malaseb shampoo - Google Search
You do not have to get malaseb shampoo from the vet. It's a good product to use if there are undefined coat problems at the first sign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobegal

I don't know what your finanical situation is but I go to a Vet Specialist when my reg vet does not seem to get a grip
on somethings IMO that being said after visiting a Vet Specialist I was given Maleseb shampoo (needs to be gotten from vet)
when one of my girlshad bacteria staph infection. It does not sound like that with your dog but the shampoo really does help with their skin as Dobes are know to have skin issues.

Pammy1022 · 08-06-2008, 09:05 AM

LAW had flakes and was itching when we got him - and he was on Puppy Chow and I just now switched him to the Purina "Select" Barley and Turkey for puppies and his coat looks so nice.

Not to mention he is doing well with weight. We also mixed in a bit of white rice and the vet said that he is looking very good. He hasn't had any bouts of the runs either now.

He is 17 weeks and he was 33.8lbs a week ago...... think that is pretty good.

**velmadobe** · 08-06-2008, 09:47 AM

The thing about vaccines is that they can have all kinds of weird effects on a dog - including suppressing their immune system. I would not rule out mange just because you did not get a positive scraping. Mange is something that takes advantage of a suppressed immune system.

As far as food goes, I'd pick something and stick with it for at least 2 months to give them a chance to improve. Of course if they get worse, then discontinue. My suggestion for a dog that "might" have food allergies is California Natural Chicken and Rice.

I'm not a vet - so I can't give medical advice - the above is just my experience.

Lisn123 · 08-06-2008, 01:13 PM

Thanks for all the useful posts... I'm leaning towards the Pro Plan more & more.
We are going ahead for the treatment of mites (or mange) The Dr. gave him the first dose last night. I went around & around with all my concerns of why we shouldn't treat, etc... and after they answered all my questions, The vet had my husband & I convinced it was best to go ahead & treat anyway.

But aside from that, his stool has never been real solid & his coat doesn't look to real shiny, feels dry to me. so I think a change of food is in order as well. (3 months on Candidae hasn't done much for him) I gave him some plain chicken & rice for 2 of his meals yesterday. And I noticed that the stools almost instantly firmed up.

So we are going to get some new food.. do the mite treatment. And keep the shampoo & the idea of Staph infection in the back of my head.

I love this site--i'm so glad I found it & all the helpful people here.
Thanks again!