Merlin needs help

[Corinna]

Well once agian poor Merlin has had to be shaved. His dry skin has eropted in to bilisters and the scabby mess. Any suggestions on a non prescribtion lotion to moistrize his skin. Mineral oil plugs the pores and messy. Glad he has his shirts from before. The vets only want to give a perscribtion Tooo$$$$$$ .

[pit chic]

Have the vets been able to determine what is causing his skin problem? He may need to see a specialist. He could be having a deeper problem which is causing his skin to act up and treating the skin is only relieving the symptoms, not the cause. Meds, baths, and lotions will only give temporary relief for the skin, but it's not going to cure the entire problem. I read that hypothyroidism can cause serious skin problems as you described.

[wolfsoul]

I agree, did you have him checked for something more serious? Like ringworm or allergies?

Maybe give him a nice oatmeal bath with lukewarm water. Try giving him some vitamin E supplements or foods rich in Vitamin E, and add some fish oil to his food. What food is he on? Maybe allergies are contributing to the problem?

[Corinna]

He has a very dry skin he doesn't seem to make the oils needed. It's not allergies He has been tested for worms and treated just in case(all the gang) . They think he just doesn't make the oils his skin needs. I have started the fish oil and vit.E about 3 weeks ago. How long till I should see any result. I thought about ring worm but tested neg. It happens about this time evey year, i don't know if its the dryness of the heat in the house . Thats the only thing I can think of. So I'm thinking if I can get something to keep him moisturized It might make it better. All the vast knoeledge here someone might have an idea of a non greasey but safe cream or lotin.

[Logan]

I can't imagine how uncomfortable he must be Corinna. :( I'm sorry you are both having to endure this condition. I wonder if running a humidifier during the cold winter months would help him? I know that when Lilly started gaining weight and had some pretty bad skin conditions, we had a thyroid panel run on her, as apparently both of those were pretty strong symptoms of thyroid disease. Thankfully, hers was not her thyroid, but I was glad to know that (we've had the test run twice now and it was in normal ranges both times). Lilly is having some pretty rough times with her skin right now and has pulled every hair out of the base of her tail and the surrounding area. I believe it is a wintertime allergy thing as it happens almost every year. We had to get back on Prednisone for a while, but I hope she won't have to do that for long.

Good luck with Merlin and keep us posted on how he is progressing.

Logan

[ChrisH]

Corrina, sorry to hear about Merlins problem, poor boy. Sorry that I don't have any knowledge to pass on, but, in case no-one comes up with anything from personal experience, I did have a search round on the net and found this place that may have stuff that can help.

On this page I think the moisture plus skin spray looks good ..

http://nationalpetpharmacy.com/store/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=203&brand%5Fid=&Page=7&root%5Fid=100&mscssid=RJKNA5TD6TDK8H4WMWSBKC2N3KSC5MNE
There are a lot more pages in this section, mostly shampoos and conditioners but there is some stuff that may fit the bill so it may be worth a look-see.

Also worth a look is the skin section - look on the left hand side to click to - once there you will find a number of company logos. Some do have lotions and creams along with shampoos etc, and they also have some good supplements in various forms. One, Lambert Kay, had a product called Shed relief which l think sounds good.

Hugs to Merlin
Chris

[Sudilar]

Oh poor Merlin!! The only advice I can give from experience with Killian when we first got him, is adding salmon to his dog food. You can even just buy canned salmon and add some to his meals with the oils. We now figure that Killian had early symptoms of autoimmune disease way back when, but were kept at bay for years (til now). Good luck to you and dear Merlin!

[Corinna]

Thanks every one I looked in to the spray I think that I'll try that and I think Ill up the vit e and fish oil. Good thing I bought a ton of frozen salmon . He loves the leavings after we eat the salmon. I'm to afread of him getting a bone so here only gets the pan to lick.
Poor guy I have to get out his sweaters hes shivering in the house. Thankfully he can wear My t-shirts .

[Sudilar]

Originally posted by Corinna
He loves the leavings after we eat the salmon. I'm to afread of him getting a bone so here only gets the pan to lick.


Well now, Corinna.....you have to squish every piece of salmon between your fingers so you can feel and remove all the bones.....LOL What we won't do for our dogs!!! Hahaha :D ;) :rolleyes: What?? And YOU get to eat some of the salmon, too?????? LOL

Good luck!! Keep us updated!!

[pit chic]

All this talk of salmon is making me hungry. Can I come over for dinner? ;)

[Corinna]

You all should know anytime any one is in the area the dinner table is always open. Thanks so much for all the help. I have to get this under control .He sleeps with me and I wake up not knowing if it is my dandruff or his!!!
I have to confess I was raised on the Washington coast (family members commercail fisherman) I can't stand freshwater fish. So I know a place over there that I buy about $200.00 every 6m that I get there . It's flash frozen on the boat I get salmon $1.00lb. In fact freezer getting low need to go trip planned for April .

[ScoobyDoo-Doo]

Try to buy some Brewer's yeast. It comes in Tablet form. Avoid the kind with Garlic since Garlic gives dogs gas. Not only will it help his skin it will also help avoid fleas. You can also buy it in powder form at the Health Store and probably cheaper. It has worked wonders for my long haired dogs. Give it atleast 3 days to get into their system and don't overdose. It is like a tablet per 10 lbs. The powder form (in weight lifting isle for humans) can be easier to give. Make sure the dog isn't allergic to yeast. Good luck!!!