Opinions on shampoo and skin care appreciated

[Sus]

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I recently attended vets for another reason but pointed out dry, flaky patches of skin on biddy which seemed to be getting worse, there were darkened patches of thick dandruff like stuff
At first the vet thought she had some kind of fungal skin infection but said the skin seemed healthy beneath this scurf like stuff. She has not been itching and the vet went through her diet with me but was not sure what it was but did not think it was anything serious
She suggested getting Yumove Skin and Coat Care Itching which I have and am adding this to her food and starting feeding her food with extra linseed and Omega 3
I have carried on using Dog Stuff natural balm (By Stinky Stuff) to the dry areas which was recommended to me by another dog owner (the vet said she had heard good reports of this but no personal experience)
The vet also suggested I get Duoxo S3 Pyo Foam leave on mousse which I have ordered
Do you think I could have caused this by bathing her too often? I used Bugalugs baby fresh shampoo for dogs but used to bathe her monthly as she has a strong doggy smell. When I was told this was too often I used a deoderising no rinse shampoo with aloe vera
I have no intention of bathing her anytime soon and just want to get her skin healthy again. I am getting a bit confused about what to use now though. When the Duoxo S3 Pyo arrives should I just use that and stop using the Stinky Stuff?

 

[JudyN]

I'm always wary of mixing treatment - Yumove Skin and Coat Care Itching contains the right balance of omega 3 and 6 so you might upset that balance by giving extra linseed & omegas. Yumove are very helpful though, so they would be happy to advise you on this.

I'm not sure about the topical applications though - hopefully someone else will be able to advise.

 

[Sus]

Thanks Judy, I will stop the feed with the extra linseed and omega3 and wait to see if anyone else has tried the topical treatments and know which is best
Sometimes I do more harm when I think I am doing good, so always check haha

 

[Tinytom]

I only use johnsons baby shampoo on my dogs ....I would stop using all other shampoo products for a while and see how she goes ...

 

[Sus]

Thanks Tiny, I will do that, no plans on bathing her anytime soon. Not sure how I will cope when I think she smells but will see how I go

 

[Feverfew]

I have used the Duoxo S3 Pyo Foam from my vet on my little collie cross as she has skin allergies, but I can't say it made much difference: it was changing her diet that did it for us. If she has a strong doggy smell that is very likely her diet, not her natural odour!

I very rarely bathe dogs, but having said that, in the past I have used Aromesse's Dermacton soap bar for dogs with eczema and skin allergies, and got very good results from it. Definitely the soap bar rather than any of the wet products.

Dermacton Shampoo Bar for Itchy Dogs

 

[Sus]

Thanks Feverfew I will definitely get Aromesse soap so that I have it for when I do eventually bathe her again.
What food did you change to?
I am currently feeding Harringtons wet food and Fish4Dogs dry food and usually salmon and chicken once a week.
She has started having dental chews which she would not touch originally.
She has had a lot of different foods since I had her, was trying to find what she liked best and the easiest for me to obtain although they have all been grain free with a decent amount of meat in them
Forthglade, Tails, Burns and Lilys kitchen (which I did not like as it was like glue)

 

[Feverfew]

Oops, sorry for late reply.

I have one dog on raw (Natural Instinct sensitive) and one who is on z/d (for sensitive digestion) for a couple of months while her allergies settle down, then she'll probably go onto grain free Forthglade, which is a good food, high quality.

I haven't tried the others you mentioned, but the dental chews might be the problem. I've never found a dental chew with healthy ingredients yet (and they aren't generally good for teeth either!).

However, it's good if she has something to gnaw on after she's eaten, and you could try big meaty bones - eg beef knuckle or thigh - not bones that might splinter, such as chicken. If having raw bones around is a bit off putting, you could try her with a raw carrot or some of the air dried meats - check the quality though.

You could also try soaking any dried food she has first, or giving her several smaller meals a day.

 

[excuseme]

Raw bones are a good suggestion for keeping the mouth and teeth healthy. All raw bones from any animal are safe even raw chicken bones. The bones that can be dangerous are cooked ones.

Man made chews are made from rubbish products and can contribute to upset tummies and sometimes other allergies. Although dried natural products are fine.
The suggestion of a raw carrot to help clean the teeth is a good idea, also cabbage stalks, broccoli stalks, and sprout stalks are all good for chewing on.

We never actually bathe our lot but if they come home in a dirty and muddy state they will have a shower but no cleansing products at all ! We keep the water running until the water runs clear, this can be done as often as you like without any harm to the skin or dogs coat.
If you decide to use the raw product for feeding your dogs, you will probably find that all of the "doggy" smells disappear .

Enjoy.

 

[Sus]

Thanks for you Feverfew and Excuse me for your replies, a lot to think about.
I have never been keen to try the raw food though I think I will consider it. I will stop the chews straight away and maybe try raw bones again. I did get some from the butcher previously but she would not touch them, there has been a lot of things that she would not do before but is now trying
I have not been bathing her at all and just using the Duoxo and 3 mousse as requested by the vet and applying Dog stuff natural balm to her dry scurvy skin areas which seem to be improving and the dead skin lifting. Am also applying Yumove skin and coat care itching added to her food (though she has never scratched herself) hence why she has been having chews as I have not been adding plaqueoff to her food.
I am going to try the bones and more veg now and think about going the raw food route in the future though it does not really appeal to me but if it is better for her then so be it
I am trying to take things more slowly and see what works as I always tend to dive straight in buying everything advised and then probably using too much at once, and maybe causing problems
I am still using warm compresses on her bottom and though she is scooting much less than before, she still does it sometimes and that really concerns me as I do not want her to have sedation and have them irrigated if they do not clear naturally. She has had to much done over the last 9 to 10 months and though it has improved things for her (though caused some damage as well) I just want her left alone really.
Will see how she goes with bones and veg.

 

[Tinytom]

You can buy the all in one frozen raw nuggets for her which is raw meat and fruit and veg all in one nugget or fish nuggets ..these are very easy to take out and defrost ....Raw could be a great benefit for her anal glands ....

 

[Hemlock]

The occasional scooting might be memory rather than actual realtime discomfort - as in "I used to have to do this, so I - actually it feels okay now". Also you will know from your own injuries that they ITCH when they are healing. So try not to worry - sounds as if everything is progressing as it should.

 

[excuseme]

Absolutely as @Tinytom has mentioned you can buy ready made complete frozen nuggets. These are very convenient and clean to use. Some dogs that have been brought up on the commercial kibbles find it very difficult to make the change, taking the new food introduction slowly is sometimes the best way to go, although others take to it like a duck to water!

I am going to suggest my favourite little book that can help us understand the feeding requirements of our dogs and cats. "Honey's Natural Feeding Handbook for Dogs". This book can be purchased from ebay or Amazon at a very cheap price, they are sold as used but many are brand new. It is an easy to read and understand little book.
After 40+ years of using the raw product I still use this little book for reference.
.

 

[Sus]

Tinytom, Hemlock and Excuseme, thank you all for your replies, I am certainly leaning more towards the raw food option although I will leave it for a while.
I am leaving her with a friend end of next month for 9 days while I go on holiday so will keep feeding basic food for now. My friend only feeds her dog prepared food. Have been visiting her ever day, Biddy does not like other dogs but more because she is frightened and nervous. They have gradually got to know each other and Biddy even goes up to him and wags her tail now which is a massive milestone. I will certainly get that book to read. Thank you all

 

[excuseme]

Have a nice holiday

 

[Feverfew]

The raw is likely to help any anal gland congestion, because by producing firmer poos, there will be greater pressure on the glands and so more likely to empty naturally.
That said, do get a good brand of raw - I think Natural Instinct is one of the best, particularly the sensitive one.
You need to take a few precautions around raw food. Keep it on a separare shelf in your fridge - mine is kept on the bottom shelf in a lasagne dish., because sometimes the packs leak as they defrost.
Defrost in the fridge, not at room temperature (so you need to think ahead a bit) and always prepare on a surface separate from your own food prep areas, and use separate utensils, washed separately. And wash your hands after handling raw.
Finally, although it has been said raw chicken bones are fine, I would always advise against that - unless they are ground up in a commercial food. As a vet nurse, I saw quite a few dogs with impacted bowels due to actually eating the bones - rather than chewing and discarding them, and also (less common) some mouth injuries. Sometimes our companion dogs are not quite as adept as street/feral dogs in.handling raw food. Good luck and enjoy your holiday. Biddy is an absolute poppet!

 

[Tinytom]

I have fed my dogs raw chicken wings for 20+ years and have never had a problem

 

[Hemlock]

And I have for even longer than that. I weaned my puppies straight onto raw, lots of chicken wings and boned-out chicken carcases as well as bones and meat from bigger creatures, with never a hint of a problem. I'm not dissing the vet. nurse experience at all, but I do wonder if those issues were caused by cooked bones. But it is always wise to be cautious and speak as we find, so it's useful information to share.

 

[excuseme]

I have also fed raw meat and bones for 40 + years it is a very natural product. our puppies are always reared on raw and start on raw bones from 4 weeks of age.
As with @Tinytom and @Hemlock we have never come across any problems with raw bones of any description.
Having been a veterinary nurse is nothing like actual experience and having the knowledge of feeding such a natural raw product as raw.
Saying bones should only be fed ground only panics people and prevents them feeding an essential and natural raw product to their dog.

There will always be exceptions with blockages and any products that our dogs eat, it could be commercial kibble, dry biscuits, sticks and chewed toys. As a veterinary nurse you must see a lot of this too!
Please do not scare people

 

[JudyN]

As a vet nurse, I saw quite a few dogs with impacted bowels due to actually eating the bones - rather than chewing and discarding them

But the aim is for the dog to eat the bones, not have a chew and discard them Jasper ate a chicken carcasse every day, bone and all, with no problems. Having said that, it's best to avoid chicken wings with bigger dogs who might try to swallow them whole - hence J having carcasses.