Dry flaky skin and hair loss...help!

[kytana36]

My miniature pinscher is losing a lot of hair on her back and there are large flakes of skin coming off. She doesn't seem to be that irritated by it, a bit of scratching and there doesn't seem to be any open wounds on her back. It's really worrying me because her once fur covered body is now half white from missing fur. I'm taking her to the vet on sunday to get it checked out, but thought maybe someone had similar experiences.

 

[Adrienne]

Allergies can cause a dogs fur to fall out as can thyroid problems. Talk to your vet about a thyroid test and maybe about an elimination diet, ie. taking out the most common dog food allergens like corn, soy, and wheat.

 

[kytana36]

thanks...i just hope it's nutrition and not pyschological, as it seems to be worse when I'm gone for long periods of time. My husband takes care of her when i'm on business trips, but she doesn't have as close of a bond with him and I'm afraid she feels stressed when i'm not around.

 

[Adrienne]

Poor baby, she may be stressed out but I haven't personaly heard of losing as much hair as you describe being attributed to stress. I am sure it is possible though. What kind of food are you feeding her? Does it have any of those possible allegens I listed in the top three ingredients?

 

[kytana36]

well when you said it might be diet, it rang a bell in my head. I've been feeding her natural choice, but I guess we ran out while I was gone and my husband bought Iam...ugh. He knows i'm picky so he picked up the most "expensive" one...at Wal-Mart! I've tossed that out and am going back to the natural choice. Hopefully that will help and my vet will have more insight to it.

 

[showpug]

I would bet she is hypo-thyroid. When you take her to the vet ask the vet about having her thyroid tested...the problem is VERY common in min pins. On another note, make sure she doesn't have fleas. Flea bite dermatitis causes symptoms similar to what you are describing and they don't always itch and scratch when they have fleas. In the mean time, I would try adding salmon oil or a little raw egg to her diet every day. Good luck.

 

[joce]

My vet reccomended flax seed oil when my dobe was flaking really bad. It helped a lot. But after I switched his food it went away entirely!

 

[showpug]

My vet reccomended flax seed oil when my dobe was flaking really bad. It helped a lot. But after I switched his food it went away entirely!

Flax seed is a good option as well, however I still think dogs benefit more when they get their fatty acids from animal sources.

 

[Saje]

Flaxseed oil also goes rancid very quickly. A lot of people don't know that. It's great stuff but you have to watch it.

 

[showpug]

Flaxseed oil also goes rancid very quickly. A lot of people don't know that. It's great stuff but you have to watch it.

I used it in the past and always kept it in the refrigerator. I think I have had better results with salmon oil. I actually don't give either anymore. Now that they are on Innova EVO I don't feel the need.

 

[Mordy]

flax seed oil doesn't contain the most valuable fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and the body only has a very limited capacity to convert them from the ALA in the flax seed oil.

 

[kytana36]

Just to update you guys, i took gobbles to the vet today and had her checked out. Lots of poking and prodding...they gave her all her boosters, had a fecal test done that came up negative, skin scrapings for mites which came up negative, heartworms test, which I'm sure will be negative too. The only thing that came up in the skin scraping is that she has bacterial infection on her back so the vet gave me some oral antibiotics to take twice a day and medicated shampoo to wash her with once a week. Also got some omega 3 supplements and Frontline so she is all set for a while. Hopefully the antibiotics will help clear up her skin and her fur will start to grow back as i feel so bad for her everytime i look at her back.

 

[pitbulliest]

I'm glad you did the skin scraping..and I'm glad its just a bacterial infection...I'm late on this post...but I was suspecting demodex mange...I'm really glad that that didn't come up... I hope your pooch gets better soon.

 

[avenlee]

I'm just reading this thread now and I was going to say a bacterial infection. My cocker spaniel had the same problem. She had like heavy flakes, almost like scabs, and when I'd try picking them off, her hair would come with it. She's better now after antibiotics.

 

[showpug]

If it doesn't go away, push for a T4 (thyroid) test. Glad at this point you have some answers and things to try. Good luck!!

 

[kytana36]

Any idea how she would have gotten a bacterial infection? The vet says that it may be from the weather. It's been really hot and humid lately.

 

[Fran27]

Tips has the same problen, just on a leg, and it's not spreading out. He's been on antibiotics for a week, can't say it has made any difference, but again it's hard to tell until the hair grows back.

 

[Manchesters]

Peanut Oil

My miniature pinscher is losing a lot of hair on her back and there are large flakes of skin coming off. She doesn't seem to be that irritated by it, a bit of scratching and there doesn't seem to be any open wounds on her back. It's really worrying me because her once fur covered body is now half white from missing fur. I'm taking her to the vet on sunday to get it checked out, but thought maybe someone had similar experiences.

I was told by a Dobe breeder 30 years ago to put a tablespoon of Peanut Oil on my dogs' food. They LOVE peanut oil, so if anyone has reluctant eater, it will sure encourage them to eat.

Also, with only one dog, you could put him on 100 units of vitamin E per day. Talk about good skin and patent leather coat!!!!! Oh heavens......I am assuming all here know what that is, rofl.

As far as thyroid goes, it seems that something like 90% of dogs have low thyroid. But generally not significant enough to be a problem for most doggers.

Oh yes......also some folks rinse their dogs with Alpha Kerri mixed with lots of water. You can also put it into a spray bottle, and spritz it onto the flakey areas.

Nothing suggested here is meant to start a brue ha-ha. I only SUGGEST!!!