Skin issues - help wanted!

[stacey611]

My 9 year old Newf has suffered from what the vet calls allergies on and off for his whole life. Usually it flairs up in summer and goes away. Have tried steriod treatment, doesn't help, just makes him urinate nonstop. It has worsened tremendeously in the past 3 months. He now has a staph infection in his skin (according to vet) that is just about all over his body. The outbreaks are circlular and covered with light brown scabs that flake off. He is very itchy. The vet has had him on antibiotics for 2 months to no avail. Nothing has changed in diet.
Any suggestions are welcomed!

 

[2newfs4now]

It's probably an environmental allergy. He must be miserable from the itching. If it were me, I would have him allergy tested...my Max was like that and kept getting infections; we had him tested and now he gets allergy shots. He's had no more staph infections and his coat is full, his skin clear. JMHO

 

[SarahZ]

I don't know if I can be of much help, but are there any bushes or plants in your yard or at a park that he likes to rub against or walk in?
What does he eat? I just heard of a new food called Addiction that is made with a novel protein (a marsupial) from Australia that might be useful if he has serious food allergies.
Poor baby, I hope you can find out what is causing this and that he feels better soon.

 

[lilly06]

My lab had skin issues most of her life. I started her on Nzymes the granuels and it changed the last 3 years of her life. http://nzymes.com/pc/ We also took the recommendation of Nzymes and changed her food. Never had a problem after that.

 

[Halli's Mom]

My Halli had allergies - constantly had Staph infections. We took her to an animal dermatologist/allergist and had her tested. The initial tests were pricey, but they were able to develop a formula for everything she was allergic to and we gave her allergy shots 1x a week. It really really helped. She was allergic to just about everything: dust, mold, flies, cotton, grass, certain tree pollens....you name it. It was generally worse Spring-Fall, better in winter. I HIGHLY recommend you get a referral to a dermatologist. it will save you on antibiotics, steroids, and all the side effects.

 

[Diana]

I'm having the same problem with Teddy - except I don't think he has the staph infection. Thanks to some suggestions from this forum, I've put him back on raw food and am being very careful about not giving him treats with any wheat, preservatives etc. and will be taking him to the vet to see about actual allergy testing, in the hopes that if it IS environmental, they can give him some kind of shots. Also, as soon as it warms up I'm going to give him a bath with an anti dandruff shampoo and try the vinegar rinse. Maybe some of these ideas might work for your poor guy as well? Good luck.

 

[Halli's Mom]

One more suggestion - bathe with Malaseb Shampoo. It's anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. We bought it by the gallon. REALLY helps.

 

[2newfs4now]

Max gets shots once a month and I give them at home...much cheaper and really very easy.

 

[Halli's Mom]

Yep, that's what we did with Halli. Really helped, and not all that expensive (especially compared to anti-biotics!)

 

[Jo-Anne Tait]

I have had this problem and what I did was wash weekly with a tea tree oil shampoo from Kelco leave on for at least 20 min. Then blow dry all the way. I also spot washed daily on the underside. I did this for a few weeks and then every other. Then just when I caught a wif of it. It has been about 2 years since. I do use the tea tree shampoo when I do give him a bath as a preventative. I hope this helps.

Joe

 

[R Taft]

We also had allergy problems..........Annabelle is allergic to any preservatives. if anything is not straight from the animal or plant, I have to read the labels meticulously. Even some of the canned fish give her issues. She can only have one brand of sardines in olive oil ( the most expensive ) But we seem to be on top of it. Initially when she had her allergy tests done wheat was blamed for a lot of it. But our own grown grain blended gives her no problems. So it is all preservatives.........Which is in nearly everything

 

[stacey611]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Newfs Forever]

Are you sure it is not a food allergy? My late Dex had 5 hot spots simultaneously. I removed lamb from his diet and he never had another one.