Dog Community

Really dry skin

Posted : 2/12/2007 10:16:55 AM

Myrika, our GSD pup, has very dry skin. Has been this way since we got her at 3.5 months...she is now 8 mo.

We also have two Goldens...the breed is known for hot spots and issues with their skin...but anytime Willow & Oakley have shown even the slightest itchiness, I add some extra omegas into their diet and they're fine. We have never battled any major issues with their skin (with an exception to an allergy to lamb) which I contribute to their breeding and lineage as well as their diet, environment, exercise and regular massage therapy to stimulate circulation & the oils in their skin and coat.

Even with the extra omegas, a high end food and massage, Myrika is still itching like mad. I thought it was getting better but it isn't. She is not over-bathed which would obviously dry her skin and coat...as well as a harsh shampoo or cleansing agent. Oddly, her coat is very shiny, full and beautiful...we get compliments all the time on her coat. There are no red spots, allergy welts, or other infectious-looking spots to be found...or even dandruff. So, at this point, I'm considering changing her diet.

All three are fed Canidae single protein chicken dry. I put just a smidge of very warm filtered tap water in their for moisture. Unfortunately, I feed everyone for my male Golden, as he does not tolerate multiple proteins very well. I don't want to feed two separate dog foods if I don't have to...although I certainly will if necessary.

Anyone have experience with a similar itchy situation? Maybe I need to use a daily, lightweight-spritzy-conditioner on her (?).

TIA for your help.

dvet

Posted : 2/14/2007 1:00:07 PM

may have missed this part but you should be giving some sort of fat supplement, for golden.s maybe two tablesppons worth a day...It can be any fancy supplement you get from feed stores, your vet ,or even things like bacon drippings...it really doesn;t matter if it is saturat3ed or unsaturated..either will work,,,or at least help

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 2/14/2007 4:00:22 PM

Thanks very much, dvet, for your reply. I was wondering about that...bacon drippings. Currently, all three get omegas via flax oil...just about 2 tablespoons per day, too. I have used pure, high quality fish oil in the past but really like flax...it is touted as having anti-inflammatory properties. Sometimes I think dogs (same as people) can have a fish allergy, so I like the flax for that reason also.

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/14/2007 8:36:44 PM

Are you sure your pup's itchy because of dry skin; I ask because you said there's no dandruff. It's possible your Golden's itchy because of allergies, which the breed is prone to having. I don't like to disagree with dvet; he has a ton of great advice, but the fatty acids you're using should be more effective in relieving itching due to dry skin than other types of grease or oil. Since you're in NH, pollens wouldn't cause a problem this time of year but common allergens like dust, dust mites, and storage mites can make a dog itch. Jessie has allergies and has more problems in thw winter than the summer because one of her worst allergies is dust mites.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 2/14/2007 9:28:02 PM

Thanks...I just don't know...it's a tough one. The Goldens are fine, it's my GSD pup that's itchy. She came with the itchies, at 3 mo...no fleas. We've got hardwood flooring, so dust mites should be at a minimum. Could be the detergent we use, or even some other household cleaner for that matter. She doesn't have any red spots, welts or hives that typically appear with allergies though. Maybe it's the chicken in her food. Prior to Canidae she was on Innova Puppy w/chicken as an ingredient. *sigh* [8|]

I am suffering with the itchies myself...eczema...which the cold dry weather intensifies....sometimes even the extreme heat does that. But I have the red blotches to show for it. I am taking flax & primrose, as well. We have a pot of water on the wood stove to put moisture back in the air. Hmmm...I wonder about a humidifier (?).

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/15/2007 2:36:03 PM

I'm sorry I missed that it was a GSD; Jessie's part GSD and according to the veterinary dermatologist I take her to, they're also prone to allergies. However, 3.5 months is very young to have seasonal allergies. Food allergies can show up at a very young age though; Jessie is allergic to chicken.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 2/15/2007 4:08:35 PM

Thanks for telling me about Jessie and your Vet. I think I'm going to switch her, just to rule out the chicken.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 2/19/2007 10:09:53 AM

Well, I am giving another food a shot - Active Care Lamb, although the natural cartilage source is chicken (used to be Bison but they have recently changed it). We'll see...already after a few days she appears to be itching way less...and less eye boogers, too. Could be me wanting it to work...time will tell.

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/19/2007 1:21:29 PM

I really hope the food change works for you; sounds good so far.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 3/5/2007 9:55:52 AM

Update: the food change has worked wonders. So, although at first it looked like it might be a dry skin issue, from lack of skin conditioning, it appears her itching might have been due to a food sensitivity (most likely chicken/Canidae). She's now eating foods that are lamb and/or fish-based (without any added chicken fat). The lamb does have the natural source of chicken cartilage though.

Edit: typooooos!