RELIEF!! Im afraid I might Jinx it for Alley

That's great news!! 

Wow Kim, that is wonderful news and I'm so happy for you (and jealous []).  When we did the biopsy on Sassy and worried about it being Lupus, I saw that "zinc responsive dermatitis" came up a lot under skin conditions and wondered if that might be our problem.  Now that you're seeing results, I think I'll at least do some more reading and mention it to the derm vet.
I can imagine how relieved you must be feeling, especially for this time of year.  Sassy has been licking her paws lately and pawing at her face, etc.  I'm so afraid that we just got the tummy cleared up and we're heading for another problem, like yeasty feet.  We're bathing her more frequently and I need to start using the tea solution on the feet, but it's all about just keeping a lid on the problem at this point.
Big hooray for you and Alley though!!
 

I wanted to add yet another thing. I don't know if you remember me telling your guys also about how Alley needed boot camp... Pat My holistic vet wanted me to try some new rules with Alley as we all know if a dog is frustrated or bored that can also make skin issues worse... so we wanted to try that approach also.... she wanted me to crate for bad behavior etc....
 
Well I chose to do something different than the typical off the sofa hard routine if you can't behave ....etc.... get my drift cause Im not a hard Alpha bitch person and I don't want to be for those who do then more power to ya .... I went  with a different approach which I know some won't agree and please don't read this lower part and give me grief about ice-cream and dogs... and how they are lactose intolerant... I know the drill..LOL And how you need to be Alpha bitch of your group... Im not interested...LOL
 
I have been giving Alley more positive attention than I ever have before also... special time like naps with her and walks with her....and ice cream at McDonalds with only her in the car and even a cheeseburger... I wanted to mention that also because the only time I ever spent with Alley before was when I was always fixing something on her...  eye drops... sprays....baths...pills.....she seem to cringe when I came her way (I mean wouldn't you)... she still does but now we do fun things so its gotten better. When I do use Genesis spray on her feet I kiss her the entire time... and make it fun. Alley loves to be pampered... LOVES IT...being a drill sargent with hard rules isn't going to cut it with her it just works the opposite and upsets me and then you have a frustrated dog and owner. Cathy I pray you find something for Sassy. I did try the Nu Sal T shampoo and it was a no go for Alley so IM glad I bought a small bottle. Do ask about the zinc I got mine through my holistic vet as she is VERY picky about were she gets her suppliments and that they do have to me human quality not Canine. Im hoping this will be a major break through for Alley. Im homecooking for her still as I went back to kibble with homecooking for a bit and it was making her worse. Okay now your going to laugh on this one... Im grilling hamburgers on the grill... I make a bunch of patties and cook them. This way I have the meat measured and I add it to her greenbeans and squash. I asked my Holistic vet about this and she laughed and thought it was a great idea and she said she was going to try that with her dogs for when she travels she will have all the veggies in the meat when she fixes it and then it will be easy for her also. She said if your willing to do all that for her then she is darn lucky. I told her how I was boiling hamburger and Alley hated it so I got the idea of grilling... Hey it works... and Hamburger is a neutral meat.  She told me to stay away from Lamb.. Venison... and Chicken... they are all hot meats. As you know I got sick of the Rabbit prices... and the smell of cooking it... and trying to keep up with cooking enough duck for her and my other dogs was driving me nuts... so this grilling thing is working out great with the hamburger... 

  That's terrific news! I think it's important that you and Cathy post when you try something that works because it's a great help to others; I've suggested some of the shampoos and conditioners that both of you have tried to others asking for help. I will keep my fingers crossed that this keeps working for Alley. I've read that most dog foods have enough zinc but some dogs don't absorb it well and need supplementation; perhaps that's part of Alley's problem.

Kim - I'm right there with you regarding the non-alpha type personality.  I look and sound like such a fake, even if I try, my dogs would probably laugh at me.  I do think they respect me (mostly) and I think that's much more effective.  I too have had to do a lot of doctoring with Sassy and found that making it as pleasant as possible goes a long way to get her cooperation.  She came to us with issues about having her feet touched, so I make a point of kissing them and such when I'm petting her, and she loves that.  Trying to out-muscle a dog is no fun for us or them, so if it's treats that work, then so be it.  I think spending "special" time with Alley probably has relieved some of her stress and that definitely helps with the health issues.  Just reading your description of trips to McDonalds and grilling burgers makes me want to come live with you []

Hey that is such good news! I wish I could have similar luck with Jetta. Right now her skin is really inflamed and she just keeps itching.
 
Can I ask what the dose is to give a dog zinc? Jetta is 15 pounds...

Awe Cathy a girl,after my own heart about the Alpha situation...I run into enough Alpha bitches driving on the hwy's now days and in other places. Our world has become so hard a ruthless and over bearing at times I just don't want that enviroment in my home.
 
Listen this is the way I look at it... Alley is the Alpha of my 5 dogs so that is her job and I don't want it...
And who in the world wants to be treated with harsh rules when you don't feel good. Heck when we don't feel good we all want to be pampered and having understanding and kindness.
Im not saying I let my dogs run all over me.... they know when they are suppose to behave and listen.
 I HATE CRATES..... Alley's never been in one can you imagine me using one now?... I have a real hang up with crates. I guess it has to do with me doing Rescue and seeing dogs live in cages their entire lives... I only used them when I was doing transports. When I fostered they had dog runs that were 7 feet by 7 feet I also did placements but wouldn't place dogs with anyone who said they would crate the dog. Like I said they lived in crates there entire lives so that is were my hang up is with crates. I know some dogs love them mine never did.... that is entirely different subject but Iv had negative results when I use to crate my 3 Westies at night.
 
The positive attitude has made a big difference. I think she was feeling my stress of "OH GEESE LOOK AT THIS SKIN HERE WE GO AGAIN" Now I whisper in her ear.. "wanna go bye bye" so none of the other dogs know. IF we go see Pat my Holisitic vet then we go to McDonalds after for either a cheesie burger or icecream..not both...LOL
 
Again My Vet like the grilling idea for her dogs as well for when she travels cause then she can put everything meaning veggies in to one patty for her dogs.

This is a link that discusses it pretty well.  There doesn't seem to be a huge danger of over-supplementing, but the recommendation of using a good multivitamin, is probably safest.
 
[linkhttp://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=718]http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=718[/link]

Jetta's mom...
 
Its Zinc Picolinate 30mg 1 time a day for Alley.
Its manufactured by Thorne Research Inc
 
Again I don't recommend doing this without an Holistic vets monitoring the dosage. I wouldn't want you trying this on your own okay.... Im not trying to scare you but I wouldn't want someones dog to get sick from the wrong dosage amount. It does say to stop using if vomiting or diarrhea would occur and the bottle says for Veterniary use only.

 I want to add one more important thing to this post so it doesn't confuse people.
 
This zinc isn't for itching....
 
Zinc is for immune compromised dogs........I thought I better make that clear so nobody thinks this is a cure all for itching dogs. Alleys skin is compromised by a weakened immune system which wrecks havoc on her skin....the Zinc is helping her immune system and its helping with the itchy skin. I hope this make since. Im keeping this explanation simple.

HOORAY!

I'm *so* glad it's working for Ally! I was taste testing the kids' vitamin samples the other day at work (looong story, boring day...) and thought I might get Emma some of the kids' zinc (which is good, BTW, but I wouldn't reccomend the kids' greens!) and see if it helps. I'll have to do that...

It wil be a week tomorrow.... Zinc suppliment is still working....
 
If this is the ticket I want all money back from the last 4 years of her life on all the  shampoo's.... vet bills....and other suppliments...and all the crazy diets Iv tired on her.....LOL  Don't I wish.....

Just curious... how much does Alley weigh? I'm going to get some zinc for Emma (as I've read up, and it's reccomended for anybody with immune issues) and I'm wondering if the same dose would work for her. She's up to 17 pounds (yay!).

Alley is a 25 pounds..... Im still in shock how this is working for her....you can tell she even feels GREAT.....playful.... happy.......I mean who wouldn't??? LOL
 
Im not even giving her any Benedryl or Pred or sprays...... and her skin is clear and not red at all....and she isn't sensitive to the touch of my hands either.....
 
Im so amazed by this.....to think it took 1 simple thing.... and all the thousands spent.... If she keeps doing good Im calling the speciality clinic I use to take her to and tell them.