Skin Disease

[amanda]

Hi, I have a Bichon Frise with a skin disease but not entirely sure why, i have been to the vets numerous of times and all they have done is put him on tablets which have made no difference. i have changed his diet and he still scratches himself really bad. its like he has the symptoms of dermitis. Has anyone got any suggestions or owns a dog with similar conditions?
thank you

[Gingerbred]

I have a cockapoo who suffers from skin problems, I found that a grain free diet really helped, I eventually went to a RAW diet and he is much better. still scratches sometimes, I think he is also allergic to the grass but over all is much improved and has a better quality of life. Most skin problems I have found are usually allergies, the lproblem is finding out what your dog is allergic to. The best place to start is the food. Hope this helps

[jock]

Hi
I have a Westie. Broke out really bad last year. Ended up on Atopica (cephlasporin). Finally cleared up. I've been told this is all usually allergies. Bathe with an antifungal/antibacterial shampoo every 3-4 days. No wheat or corn in food. Dogs with food allergies usually chew at their feet and muzzle whereas environmental allergies are scratching all over (or so I've been told). The frequent bathing, flea prevention and keeping corn & wheat out of diet have helped so far.

[jude09]

Dog allergies are one of the most common medical conditions that dogs of different breed experience. Allergies can have different reactions such as: itching, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, eye or nasal discharge, vomiting and diarrhea.

So, has anybody been having this kind of problems with their dogs?

[amanda]

Thanks for your replies. I am going to try and keep him off wheat and corn and grain and try that.
Can you buy the tablets Atopica on the internet or do they need to be prescribed do you know?

[bsgerhart]

I was very excited to find this catagory as my Peke suffers with allergies and is on monthly injections which seem to help with the sneezing, eye matting and scratching. What I have not found a cure for is the spots on her skin where she breaks out and looses her fur. What I don't understand is that the vet says it is allergies, however, it clears up by a treatment of antibotics. Aren't antibotics used to treat infection? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has had similar experiences.

[Rodney]

We have a Bichon who also goes through periods of scratching and chewing. He has had several cortizone shots and Cortizone Spray that seems to help him. We give him only California Natural food and their brand of Treats. Also carrots for treats.

[petfoodadvisor]

There is so many dogs that suffer from skin issues. Most can be prevented. Switch to a really good food, free from corn, wheat gluten, chemicals, by-products. Choose foods that contain vegetables, fruits, chicken meal (which is chicken breast meat with all the water removed) Put your dog a a supplement, the one I use and recommend is NuVet but you do need an order code to buy it, you can use mine 42299 or call nuvet and when they ask who referred you tell them Susan from Spotts Grooming. If bathing your dogs, please rinse thoroughly, by not doing so can leave soap residue and this can cause skin problems.

[amanda]

i have a Bichon Frise and he suffers with a skin allergy, we have been to the vets numerous of times and always put him on tablets which were effevtive for about 2 days and it still didnt stop him. i have ben advised on this site to stop any wheat corn and grain from his diet. Also been advised to try the Atopica tablets but have to get them prescribed. My dog scratches around his neck and head and constantly chews his paws which become very red and now i am struggling to cut his nails and hair between his pads he hates me touching them! Any suggestions how to get over this obbession with his paws, his nails are getting ever so long!

[amanda]

Im not sure about the patches that your Peke suffers with, my dog has never lost hair but i thought antibiotics were used for an infection aswell. But if your dog is scratching in those places he might actually be infected it from his paws and dirt may get into the sore skin. I use a cream its for hot sopts and eczema and when he starts to scrath in certain places and the skin goes red. Its only cheap and you can get it form a pets at home store, cant remember the name but it has a light blue background, you could try that cream on the sore spots and see if that helps.
Does the cortizone shots happen every month by your vet or just when it flares up you have to take him to the vets?