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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Dry coat in K-9, additional ideas

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  • From: ALLEN SNYDER <allendana1@sbcglobal.net>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Dry coat in K-9, additional ideas
  • Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 12:28:42 -0700 (PDT)

I agree many of these are excellent first line suggestions to try, but if there is no improvement in a week or two with a diet eliminating wheat and/or corn, adding high-quality good fats such as rice bran(not corn oil) to the food in an amount recommended by your vet, I would have the vet examine your pet. There are other potential problems such as microscopic mites (Sarcoptic mange) that really need to be diagnosed  to ensure proper treatment.  I am assuming you have not made any food changes recentIy and fleas are not the issue? Most of the effective meds for this are prescription anyway.  This may save you time and money in the long run and help your pet be more comfortable. 
 
We had a purebred German shepherd year ago that was diagnosed with a grass allergy.  I have not had any of these issues with my mixed breed dogs who have also had exceptional longevity. Good luck!

Ty Holmquist <tholmq@hollinet.com> wrote:
My Westy had this same problem when we got him at 5 years old.  He would scratch himself until he almost bled.  After some time, we asked the local animal food store manager what the problem might be.  She said that some dogs have this problem.  It is because of the corn in most dog foods that you see at the store.  If you go to the store and look at the ingredients of almost all dog food, corn will be within the first 3 ingredients.
 
The store manager sold us the dog food without any corn and we have not had a problem since.
 
Ty Holmquist
Country Rose Gallery & Frame
722 San Benito Street
Hollister, CA 95023
831-634-1627 Ofc
831-634-1697 Fax
831-524-1159 Cell
877-208-6042 Toll Free

From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Karen Nesbitt
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 2:42 PM
To: MSAR
Subject: [MSAR] Dry coat in K-9, your advise on this please!
 
This is not exactly MSAR, but you folks out there with dogs for search might be able to help me.... I need a peice of advise, the blue heeler here is suffering from a very dry coat and is scratching herself silly.   I never had that problem before with any of our heelers or any other dogs before......hmmm....  She recently got a tick and flea bath so we know it is not bugs, just dry coat...any ideas?  Poor girl is going bonkers and driving me nuts as she scratches herself which is not helping her cause.....I am wondering if she does not have an allergy?  She is standoffish of late of going in the grass .. which is weird because she was born outside.. guess the house life got her spolied!
 
She seems to be very dry on her butt checks and top of tail area, but will fleabite her tail and is relentless on licking her belly.    Her crotch is clean and does not seem to be a trouble area and neither is her rectum...Her ears and neck area seem fine.  But her legs all four are seemingly suffering dry coat.
 
It is not worms either.. just dry areas...ugh.  I loathe the thought of not bathing her  for  several weeks to let the natural oils kick in, so what's a mother to do here?  No dandruff, but bristley coat.  She is not ready to shed.. that happened in February...so I am thinking, what could maybe I add to her diet to bring the oils to her coat?  Or what if any are any of your suggestions?
 
For the most part the heeler is a wash and wear dog of very little care when it comes to the coat.  But this sure is a first for me.  She is just under 2 years old...they make for excellent rescue, therapy and service dogs under talented hands!  That is if you can keep up with their endless energy!  But right now, all she want sto do is itch herself....UGH!
 
Thanks
 
Karen
Iroquois County VMSAR
Illinois
 
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