Coat and skin problem

[mary_jsn]

Some of you heard that Leika had some fungus. Well it hasn't got away from her and the vet told me to buy this special shampoo anti fungus. It works well but my problem is that I have to wash her twice a week and it scares me 'cause they say that too much bathing can dry out some minerals that dogs have in their coats to make them look healthy. At the moment i have only washed Leika 2 times but I am afraid that she gets well from her fungus but ends with a horrible coat.:confused:

[Cincy'sMom]

Maybe you could supliment the coat with a vitamin? Sadie is taking 3V, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins a, e and D. The vet put her on this because she has very dry pads on her feet, but it is also supposed to be very good for coats. (and not very expensive)

[shais_mom]

Keegan is only 4 mos old, but I noticed that when I would pet her down her back she had horrible flaking and dandruff. I asked the vet about it and he said that it was probably the change in weather. But it didn't get any better so I started adding 2 Vit E capsules to her food (she gets fed twice a day) and a tablespoon of vegetable oil. I only added the oil once a day, maybe every other day. Her coat has become softer and shinier and the flakes are almost completely gone. I did this with Shaianne also when she had the same condition. I also add 1 T of plain nonfat yogurt which also helps too, but I add it b/c even tho she is little she has killer gas. :rolleyes: :eek: :eek: :eek: I don't know why but she totally does!! Makes my eyes water!

[C.C.'s Mom]

My vet friend said it's best to add some vegetable oil to the dry food you feed your dog. And give her vitamine/mineral paste as Cincy'sMom said. That should help I guess.

[mary_jsn]

Thanks if Leika starts having a dull coat I'll make sure I'll give her some vitamins. I used some on Ringo and it's true. He had a wonderful coat. It's speacial vitamins for dogs. I hope the product hasn't reached the 'best before' date.

[carrie]

Just a word of caution - the fat soluble vitamins in oil and in the supplements are culminative and can build up to toxic levels. Get advice from the vet or feed no more than one teaspoon of oil a day for a lab size dog or commercial supplements. Feeding both could have long term health implications - rare, but it can happen.

[shais_mom]

I should say that I don't give Keegan the oil any more and I think I will reduce the amount of Vit E she get also. This worked in a pinch and was much cheaper than the supplements. I tried the www.doctorsfostersmith.com supplement when I first brought Shaianne home. And it worked wonders. I can't remember what its called but when I remember I will post it here. Also I started Keegan out on weight appropiate Pet Tabs when she was about 7 weeks old. She doesn't get those anymore, just the vit E.

[mary_jsn]

Does the oil make pets fatter? Leika still has her shiny coat. Maybe the shampoo has something that makes her coat stay shiny.

[shais_mom]

I think if you would use it in moderation and carefully watch them, the oil shouldn't cause much of a weight gain.
The Drs Foster and smith product I was talking about is called VitaCoat and VitaCoat Plus.
It is superb.
here is the link:
http://drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=12&pCatId=830

[C.C.'s Mom]

As for adding oil, a teaspoon should be more than enough.