pit bull itchy dry skin-need idea that actually work

[polarpooch]

Hi guys. My pittie is having an attack of flakey, itchy skin. He had the same problem last year (same time), and we thought it was allergies (he was on all sorts of meds, etc...but nothing worked--we went to two vets about this). We changed his food to low allergen food. Changed our cleaning products to hypoallergenic. We even started using distilled water in his bowl. But it never did anything to help him. He got better when spring came. It occurred to us this year that it could just be the dry air and heated interiors. I have read about a myriad of ideas online, but what do the pit bull owners on the board recommend for dry, itchy skin? He'll scatch so hard he bleeds and scabs. I have something called Micro Tek that seems to calm the itching, but only temporarily. He's allergic to Tea Tree Oil we found out. Would Olive Oil or eggs in his food help (I've heard this "remedy" for years, but have no idea if it works)? Is there a lotion or spray that can keep his skin hydrated in the low humidity? I see dozens and dozens of products that claim to help--but does anything really work? We already give him collodial oatmeal baths, and that only helps for a little while. After a few hours of being dried off, he's scratching again. Help. It makes us miserable to see him so miserable!

[critter crazy]

I am not a pit Bull owner, but when My rotti had seasonal itchy skin, I added fish oil to his food, and it helped so much! :)

[Queen of Poop]

Have you asked the vet about Omega supplements for your poor dogger?

My RB dog had some skin issues many years ago and was given Omega supplements to help. Perhaps something like Salmon Oil supplements?

[polarpooch]

No one ever recommended fish oil supplements? Is this something that needs vet approval, or can I just head over to the GNC and get some?

[critter crazy]

No one ever recommended fish oil supplements? Is this something that needs vet approval, or can I just head over to the GNC and get some?

Mine was recomended by my vet, but can be purchased at any store in the vitamin section.

[Queen of Poop]

I've seen it in our local pet stores.

[polarpooch]

OK. I'm going to try that immediately. Sounds like it couldn't hurt at least. I'll get some at the store tomorrow. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[K9karen]

I add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to Logan's food. She also takes a multvitamin. She always smells great and her hair is smooth and silky. I brush her every other day. She had white flaky dandruff the day I brought her home.

[polarpooch]

Thanks. I have some olive oil in the kitchen. which is better, fish or olive oil?

[clara4457]

I think fish oil is a bit better than olive oil, but either will work. One thing that is great is that unlike medications - these items can only help and won't do any harm. Also, do yourself a favor and buy the fish oil capsules at the health food store and not the pet store. It amazes me how much more they charge for the same item when they put "canine" on the label.

Also food is a big issue - look for foods that contain Omega 3 fatty acids. Two of my favorites are Innova and Eagle Pack Holistic Fish and Anchovy variety.

[pomtzu]

The fish oil really does work wonders! :)

[polarpooch]

OK, I got some fish oil caps and a bag of Eagle Pak Omega 3 food. A lady shopping at the petstore told me it helped her pittie's skin issues. THANKS for this idea. I hope it helps my pup.

[Spicy_Bulldog]

I'm a pit owner, I've had many Pits but never this problem, it really isn't breed specific. It does sound like it is due to cold/dry weather. I would make sure he is getting enough omega fatty acids and supplement with grizzlys salmon oil to help with that. This will help his skin be healthy, not dry and flaky and take away the horrible itch. You can also set up some humidifiers for inside. We have very dry weather here also, it is bad on all of us so we started doing this and it helps us a lot so I imagine it makes the dogs feel better too.

[polarpooch]

Well, one thing's for sure--my dogs loooove that Eagle Pak food I got (the Holistic Omega 3 stuff), and they are craaaazy about the fish oil I'm putting in the food, too. I'm also giving this to my husky--since it seems like a win-win for all dogs. Haven't noticed anything so far (only been 4 feedings), although it sort of seems like my pittie's coat is a little softer. Might be my imagination and wishful thinking :) Crossing my fingers this will help control the problem. Thanks for the Omega 3 fish oil suggestion. Sort of surprised that my vet never mentioned this before.

[polarpooch]

THANK YOU guys for suggesting this wonderful and simple idea to help my pittie. He's doing much, much better. After about a week, he's hardly scratching at all. His ears are healing (thanks to a little neosporin on the scabs that he is no longer scratching at)! And his fur feels super soft now. I am totally amazed. Thanks agan, Pet Talk people!

[Tink21]

Hey everyone I had purchased a Razors Edge pitbull recently and The breeder who is a Pitbull breeder mentioned he had no idea and could be the shampoo and after reading this post, I have bottles of the capsules of the Fish Oils and im going to try them out ASAP when i get home in the morning. He Finally tells me that Pitbull Bullies have a dry skin itchy problem that is hereditary and that would have helped after spending a boat load of money at the vet. He mentioned three times a week 1 Raw Egg and the fish oils. Im not gonna do the Egg deal but im jumping right to the fish oils. Thank you all for this post, cause if not i would be a lost cause wondering why my por Tink was chewing away her limbs.

[luvofallhorses]

I would take her to the vet.. do a skin scraping also to rule out mange. Fish oil pills aren't a magic pill, she can have dry skin from something else also.

[Snowolf]

THANK YOU guys for suggesting this wonderful and simple idea to help my pittie. He's doing much, much better. After about a week, he's hardly scratching at all. His ears are healing (thanks to a little neosporin on the scabs that he is no longer scratching at)! And his fur feels super soft now. I am totally amazed. Thanks agan, Pet Talk people!

We just rescued a pit bull mix and she is a sweetie. She too is itching and I was wondering if we need to break the capsules open and put it on her food or give it to her in capsule form?

[Lady's Human]

Just give them the capsule, it will break down inside the pup.

[Jessika]

If you continue having problems, there is a new "miracle drug" called Apoquel that was supposed to come out last year... due to such a highly unanticipated success during beta, they ran out of product early in the year last year (they anticipated having enough product for a year, but it was all sold to the beta clinics in less than a month!!!!!!). Our clinic has been on the waiting list for just shy of a year now, but for clinics in the area that were fortunate enough to get their hands on the product (one of which is a dermatologist) they have been speaking EXTREMELY HIGHLY of it. One of our clients was able to go to a clinic that had some in stock and put him on it... a pit bull with general itchy skin, and nothing ever worked... and it is a night and day difference FAST.

Yes, it's rx only, but if there's a clinic in your area who was fortunate enough to be a beta clinic and has some in stock, it will absolutely be worth it!!!!!

Fish oil is definitely worth a shot (and is relatively inexpensive) but it is not always the "fix all" to itchy skin issues... definitely worth a shot, though, in every instance.