8yr Old Lab Male Skin Issues - help pls! BexVN AliKat :-)
Discussion
My old boy had very similar skin complaint, and despite numerous trips to the vet the treatment wasnt working. I mentioned it to the local Kennel master and he suggested trying him on Goats milk. Despite being skeptical, it did the trick and it was all cleared up in a couple of weeks.
Obviously do the vet route first to ensure that its no something more sinister.
Obviously do the vet route first to ensure that its no something more sinister.
Looks like skin irritation has been licking or chewing it.
Small quantity of sudocrem to help it heal. Only apply it very lightly and for 2-3 days max. It can leave a residue behind if you put too much on. You can also give an antihistamine tablet (Piriton 4mg) once daily to keep any itching down.
If you do the above I would expect it to start to clear up within 3 days - if not defo time to see the vet.
As for the washing I would advise a product called Malaseb. You will have to get it from the vet as its on script. Wet the dog down and then put on a good quantity of Malaseb then let it sit for at least 5 minutes, 10 if you can then rinse it off. Make sure you put plenty on the effected area.
For maintenance Groomers Honey and Oatmeal shampoo is very good. However I would only be washing every 6 weeks with it. The effects of the shampoo will last generally around 3-4 weeks.
Small quantity of sudocrem to help it heal. Only apply it very lightly and for 2-3 days max. It can leave a residue behind if you put too much on. You can also give an antihistamine tablet (Piriton 4mg) once daily to keep any itching down.
If you do the above I would expect it to start to clear up within 3 days - if not defo time to see the vet.
As for the washing I would advise a product called Malaseb. You will have to get it from the vet as its on script. Wet the dog down and then put on a good quantity of Malaseb then let it sit for at least 5 minutes, 10 if you can then rinse it off. Make sure you put plenty on the effected area.
For maintenance Groomers Honey and Oatmeal shampoo is very good. However I would only be washing every 6 weeks with it. The effects of the shampoo will last generally around 3-4 weeks.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
PS it's quite common, but I must implore you to seek out a good vet who knows their stuff and doesn't just either treat for parasites or continually test for which allergy it may be-it could be anything of thousands and any vet who recommends testing is pretty much trying to make money from testing for ever and a day.
Feel free to PM
I'm sorry but that is poor advice, allergy tests are useful for both food and environmental allergies. You can then go on to make vaccines for the allergies that can help to reduce the use of other drugs... they are not a great money maker for a practice as it is an expensive test in the first place. I think we only make money on the blood test itself and an admin fee.Feel free to PM
Sorry for lack of response! Xmas NYE getting in way of PH browsing.
Vet agreed on the overwashing with flea shampoo, that has now stopped. Purely warm water when the dog gets back home muddy after jumping in every puddle he can find! Also agreed on the aloe/oatmeal if he really does need shampooing due to smell.
Also change diet to ensure dog food only, no treats off our plates just in case an allergy is assisting the problem although conceded that it has done no harm for 7 of his years on this earth.
Trimmed the side claws too as thats what has probably caught his head through scratching, they were pretty sharp!!
At the same time, thinking of a 25% reduction in food to lean him up a bit so that his legs dont have to work as hard as he enters his 8th year as although not fat, he's a BIG boy and stiffens up after a long walk.
Appreciate the help/advice from all posters and I will update in due course on Mortimers progress.
Vet agreed on the overwashing with flea shampoo, that has now stopped. Purely warm water when the dog gets back home muddy after jumping in every puddle he can find! Also agreed on the aloe/oatmeal if he really does need shampooing due to smell.
Also change diet to ensure dog food only, no treats off our plates just in case an allergy is assisting the problem although conceded that it has done no harm for 7 of his years on this earth.
Trimmed the side claws too as thats what has probably caught his head through scratching, they were pretty sharp!!
At the same time, thinking of a 25% reduction in food to lean him up a bit so that his legs dont have to work as hard as he enters his 8th year as although not fat, he's a BIG boy and stiffens up after a long walk.
Appreciate the help/advice from all posters and I will update in due course on Mortimers progress.
Ours get washed every 4 months max! More like once or twice a year, all the skins natural oils will be stripped away with too much soap.
We also swapped ours to a raw food diet about 5 years ago. Night and day difference compared to dry food. Just minced whole chickens with a spoonful of flax seed oil and the occasional carrot or sweet potato.
Clearer skin, cleaner ears, brighter eyes, shinier coat and tiny hard stools wouldn't change back to processed food.
We also swapped ours to a raw food diet about 5 years ago. Night and day difference compared to dry food. Just minced whole chickens with a spoonful of flax seed oil and the occasional carrot or sweet potato.
Clearer skin, cleaner ears, brighter eyes, shinier coat and tiny hard stools wouldn't change back to processed food.
Thought I'd update as he is chilling next to me
His groin area looking much better and regrowing fur.
His sores are now scabs so healing.
He is still bit itchy so occasional piriton tablets. Once he's a bit better I'll shampoo him in aloe one but for now just being watered off for any mud before a dry off.
His groin area looking much better and regrowing fur.
His sores are now scabs so healing.
He is still bit itchy so occasional piriton tablets. Once he's a bit better I'll shampoo him in aloe one but for now just being watered off for any mud before a dry off.
Edited by jonamv8 on Wednesday 11th January 23:01
Edited by jonamv8 on Wednesday 11th January 23:03
jonamv8 said:
bexVN said:
How occasional are the Piriton? Glad he is improving, hope it continues!
Was on one a day for 3/4 days then every other day, now none. They aren't harmful are they?Thanks!!
bexVN said:
jonamv8 said:
bexVN said:
How occasional are the Piriton? Glad he is improving, hope it continues!
Was on one a day for 3/4 days then every other day, now none. They aren't harmful are they?Thanks!!
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