doggy dandruff

[orangebones]

Anybody familiar with this problem? I have a 10 month old lab/weimaraner mix named Gus (my first dog). He is an awesome dog, and hasn't had any health problems to speak of, except this dandruff. The vet had me try this Hylite "Relief" shampoo, which seemed to work at first, but now the dandruff is back. It seems to be the worst around his haunches and up his spine (where his hair is the thickest), and he scratches at it pretty often. Any suggestions?

 

[Mack Tripper]

It could be some type of allergy. One of my dogs had a similar problem, and I switched him to a dog food that was made of fish, and it pretty much solved the problem.

 

[orangebones]

Interesting, the only other problem I have with him is that he is a picky eater with a weak stomach (soft stool).

 

[Mack Tripper]

The soft stool thing is not unusual for a 10 month old dog. If you do change his food, make sure to do it gradually by mixing it in with the old stuff for a few days. Petsmart and Petco should have dog food made with fish.

 

[goofybevo]

My friend's lab has this problem. It's seasonal allergies, always worse in the spring/summer. I think they give him allergy meds.

 

[HtownAg92]

Purina One "Sensitive Systems" formula worked for us. Helped with the skin and the shiz. I think salmon is a main ingredient.

 

[Mack Tripper]

Watch out because with some of those allergy meds, the cure is worse than the sickness.

 

[Campus Loop(y)]

Always check w/ your vet regarding any of these home remedies but most times they work. A friend of mine in DC was also my former dogs vet. He got allergies too from time to time. The verdict, give him ONE clemastine pill. Basically this is Tavist 1. NOT the D, no decongestant, just the Clemastine. I got the generic and gave my dog who was 100 pounds the childrens dose. Worked like a charm.

My dog now gets the itchy skin this time of the year. It is not fleas as her flea stuff is up to date and i find none w/ comb. She may be getting this treatment too if my vet clears it. It is much less costly than the doggy scrips as you can get generic. Don't try other meds though unless your doc says.

For diarrhea, let your dog drink non-flavored Pedialyte or the generic to replenish minerals and give them the kids dosage of Immodium or the generic equivalent. Make sure it is the kids dosage and keep them hydrated even if you have to use ice cubes.

I have also been told to use Cortisone on little nicks and scrapes. Works like a charm but make sure doggy does not go after stuff like this. If they do, then the E Collar comes out and haha, your dog will look silly.

 

[Mack Tripper]

My vet has told me most of what is in Loop(y)'s post, but make sure (like he said in his post) you talk to a vet first. Some doggy allergy meds can shorten a dog's life span and is only used as a last resort. good luck

 

[orangebones]

thanks all, it's good to hear that it's somewhat common. I'll look into the salmon based food next go 'round.

 

[Campus Loop(y)]

It was said earlier but make sure, double sure you have enough of the old food before it runs to low to mix it. Do it gradually w/ the new food so the dog won't even notice.

Mack, you sound like a great dog owner. You are a great pet to your dog no doubt. Mine pwns me.

 

[TexasSun]

My Lab has pretty bad allergies and they tend to get worse in the warm months, but we've found that lamb and rice based foods work well with him, but it took a while to experiment and find out. We also give him a fish oil supplement each day that seems to help out pretty well. When his allergies act up, like they are now, the vet has him on Cephalexin(sp?) that really helps to clear his skin up. The vet has also told us that sometimes the allergies are really a mild internal infection due to weak immune system. I don't know, but it might be worth looking into and asking your vet.

 

[TexasSun]

Also, we use an oatmeal baking soda shampoo that you can find at HEB that seems to help sensitive skin too. We found that some of the other shampoos really dried his skin out. Good luck!

 

[accuratehorn]

Sometimes you have to try several different things to see what will work. If your pet has a flea problem, you must treat them first-some dogs have a severe reaction to just a few fleas. The garlic/yeast tablets work as a deterrent on my dog.
Then for dry skin, there are gel tablets that help, Pet Smart has them. The shampoos might help-I've used the oatmeal stuff, and there are others.
A good brand of "allergy" formula dog food might be the answer, like Nature's Recipe.
Then a trip to the vet for a cortisone shot, followed by pregnisone tablets, may be the last resort. The steroids really help, but can cause cancer over time, and other harmful side effects. We have had to give these things to our dog when his itching gets unbearable, and he really feels better with the pregnisone (sp?). He is 15, so it did not shorten his life too much. We don't give it to him unless he gets a bad case of real itchy skin, but this is usually two or three times a year.

 

[politically correct horn]

Have you tried the obvious like Head and Shoulders?

 

[Mack Tripper]

Loopy, thanks. Yes, I am indeed pwned, and thanks again on the tip about the nematodes.

 

[orange-explosion]

My dog gets dandruff every spring, right around the time she starts really shedding. I always assumed the two things were connected and never worried about it. Should I be concerned about dandruff if the dog doesn't seem to be itching?

 

[orangebones]

thought i'd give an update...the dandruff kept getting worse, and a rash appeared on his belly and the insides of his legs. I took him to the vet, who said it was a bacterial skin infection. It's nothing serious, and he said it was pretty common, so ole Gus is on antibiotics and it looks to be clearing up.

 

[shorty]

Get him allergy shots once a month like clockwork. Our dog just about drove us nuts scratching and licking himself. There also is a peach based spray from Petco that gives him relief between shots if needed.

He had scratched some places almost bare but now has a beautiful silky coat with the shots.