Shih Tzu with dry skin

If you're not already giving the fish oil caps, I'd suggest adding that as a supplement.  You can either buy human grade fish oil, but if you use that, you need to supplement with Vit E also.  I just found it easier to use Derm Caps or something like that.  It has the Omega 3/6 and Vit E.

might be a good idea if you had this pup checked out because  this is more than dry skin...all those brown areas are from licking or irritation and i would guess at a sever allergy...Me thinks he should be put on a short couurse of steroids assuming there are not mites in the skin....from what it looks like this is a not-at-home diagnosis...should be checked

Don't steriods cause real problems on little dogs?  I am looking for a Natural way to take care of the dry skin.   If the condition doesn't clear up shortly then I will take him to the vet. 

Don't steriods cause real problems on little dogs?

Steroids can cause major problems in ANY dog. They are occasionally a necessary evil, when it gets to a certain point. I think you'll be able to clear up your dog's skin with a good food, and ditching that oatmeal shampoo, and going to biweekly baths with a hypoallergenic shampoo, followed by an essential oil rinse.

The very first thing i would do is get him off of Beneful! You should see some sort of improvement straight away just by switching to better more natural food,as beneful is anything but "natural". As the others have suggested a good oil supplement is a must for dogs with or without skin problems. I would also start giving him immune enhancing supps.What has worked for my dogs is CoenzymeQ10,MSM,fish oil,EPO and VitE.I saw a real improvement once starting the msm and Q10,the Q10 works more efficiently when given with a fatty meal or supplement,i always give it with the fish oil cap.

ORIGINAL: ozzie72

The very first thing i would do is get him off of Beneful!

Yes, definatley switch him off of Beneful if that's what he's eating...try a "limited ingredient" food like California Natural.

Ok I will get him on natural dog food and use a hypoallergenic shampoo.  Thanks Everyone!

I wouldn't just disregard dvet's advice, he is an actual vet.  And, he did say SHORT term drugs.  [sm=2cents.gif]

Well, His skin has cleared up and his hair is growing back in.  He hasn't been licking and chewing himself.  So I think everything has cleared up and if it comes back or gets worse then I will take him to a vet.[] BTW he had been to the vet the week before I got him and he has a flea alergy and he was treated by the vet.

Firestorm which food did you change him to? Have you started any supps?

I put him on Nutura.

Hi there, I also have 2 shih tzu's.  I posted about a month ago in ref to mine.. My two little ones also have had problems with dry itchy skin.. I have fought this for a couple of years.. Been to the vet, several times, we bath them in a medicated shampoo, and we still have the problem.  I have tried switching food, steriods every other day.. If I keep them on the steriods they seem to do better, but I always take them off once they are not scratching all the time.  I was told they have an allergy to flea bites.. Of course they are on the frontline also.. If you find any real cures, please let me know....I'll tell you that my two little ones have always kept me on my toes... My little male is now starting to get alittle aggressive toward his sister and with me at times... Any ideas????????

My dog didn't like the Nutro, so I switched over to the Harvest baked Lamb by authority which he loves, I put organic extra virgin olive oil in his food and I give him a side of organic whole milk yogurt.  Since changing food and adding oil and giving the yogurt, I have seen a huge change in his coat and skin.  HIs problems seem to be clearing up.[]

What my last shih tzu went thru his whole life~he had allergic dermatitis. So our vet reccomended that he be buzzed short all year round and we also used a medicated shampoo called Allergroom which is great. you can get this from the vet or some pet catalogs sell it too. For Teddybear all it took was 1 bite from a flea and he'd scratch and bite till there was a hot spot. We also had found that advantix works great to keep them off the pup so they dont bite. Also after he had emergancy surgery for bladder stones they put him on Science Diet Kd and with the shampoo, and the advantix the problem was alot less. Sadly he passed away Jan 25 of congestive heart failure. It was from a leaky heart valve that he devoloped after surgery. My normal vet suggested when he was young not to have any surgery other than emergancy cause the respitory systems of the tzu's cant take the anesthesia. He lived 3 1/2 yrs after surgery. On a happy note my dh and I brought home our lil baby Snoopy March 12 and since we have already gone thru it with TB we are very careful. All Snoopy is allowed is science diet we are very sold on it.