Bad Dog Dandruff and Hair Loss in NM

[Karen]

Yes, and if you can, keep the plastic cover on the bedding, then put a washable cover over that. I am a human with a severe dust/dust mite allergy, and kept the "packing" plastic on my box spring by doctor's orders. We also regularly wash the mattress cover, as well at sheets and comforter.

Also, if he lays on a certain section of carpet - vacuum that regularly with a HEPA filter-equipped vac. And scoot him out of the room when you're doing the vacuuming, too!

[Catlady711]

Since you said it didn't start until you moved did any of the vets do allergy testing or skin scrapings? I didn't notice those listed specifically in your post.

Whatever it is I hope your poor baby gets straightened out soon.

[mwormser]

Yes, the dog dermitologist did several scrapings and biopsy. I'm not sure there was an allergy test per se. Possibly, the vet who saw the severty of his skin, thought it wasn't. We did change his food many times. Was on a fish diet for a month, so it's not a food allergy.

I'll ask my regular vet who is back treating him although all vets are stumped. He is being treated now with cephelexin and prednisone.

Seems to be working. He looks OK. Although his scabs are large. Gross.

I did go to Costco and bought all new bedding for Jet. Threw out all the old dog beds. They were a couple of years old.

Thanks martin and jet

[Catlady711]

Yes, the dog dermitologist did several scrapings and biopsy. I'm not sure there was an allergy test per se. Possibly, the vet who saw the severty of his skin, thought it wasn't. We did change his food many times. Was on a fish diet for a month, so it's not a food allergy.

I'll ask my regular vet who is back treating him although all vets are stumped. He is being treated now with cepelexin and prednisone.

Seems to be working. He looks OK. Although his scabs are large. Gross.

I did go to Costco and bought all new bedding for Jet. Threw out all the old dog beds. They were a couple of years old.

Thanks martin and jet

I believe allergy testing is done by blood samples, and I'm pretty sure they have to be off all medications for a time period prior to testing. I would think that the dermatologist probably has done those tests but found inconclusive results, I just can't imagine a dermatologist not doing allergy testing.

Good luck, hope the new bedding works to help.

[pomtzu]

I had the same problem with my Pom. She had very bad dandruf - most on her hind quarters and on her back by her tail. It always flared up with the onset of Fall. She had huge dandruf flakes - some the size of a quarter - and then she would lose her hair and get the oily scabs. Her blood work showed that her thyroid was somewhat sluggish and she was put on meds for that, had cortizone and pred shots for a while, and I added Omega 3 fish oil to her diet, and all that helped. She no longer gets any shots on a regular basis - maybe just 2 or 3 times a year when needed - and all the nasty oil, scabby type dandruf has gone away. She still gets a little "regular" dandruf - but just tiny flakes - nothing severe like she used to. I still tell her that she's a "flake"!

[mwormser]

Thanks pom, He has been on thyroid for 2 years now. Got his cortisone shot, on prednisone and cephelexin. Dandruff down a little. Still has HUGE scabs.

Interesting, a lot of the scabs are on his hind quarter. I shaved some of the dried ones off and the skin looks OK. It's so gross.

m

[zippy-kat]

Have you heard of Shapley's MTG?

http://www.shapleys.com/products_view.aspx?articleid=17

I use it on my horse to promote hair growth (mane/tail as well as cuts/scrapes). And I've found that working it into her skin, also helps protect my hands from this dry climate. (I live in the southern part of NM.)

It's a little oily so after application you might want to crate Jet (or, if he'll tolerate it, put a tshirt on him) to protect your furniture, carpet, etc. MTG has a strange smell - it's not unpleasant yet it's not exactly welcoming either.

A 32oz bottle should set you back about $15.

Good luck!