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 Need Help - Boxer with major skin issues
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| Posted by | Topic subject: Need Help - Boxer with major skin issues |
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Robostreak unregistered |
posted 10-28-2003 08:16 AM
Hi, I have a 1yr 10mo old boxer. For about a year now he has had continous skin problems that have me at my wits end with the agony he must be feeling. It started with the skin around his eyes looking grayish/dry. Then it seemed he was losing hair around the eyes and an excess of 'tears'. Then he began scratching terribly his eye area on his face and his ears. His inner ear flaps were like leather. He also developed 'puss blisters' on his mast. And his inner rear legs became very dark brown like elephant skin. I would take him to the vet, he would be put on meds, show some sign of progress then weeks later back to it again. Latest treatment is weekly baths with a special shampoo that seems to help somewhat. HELP? IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member  Posts: 585 |
posted 10-28-2003 09:11 AM
Of course I am not a vet, but I have a dog and a cat with allergies and I understand your frustration. Has the vet said what he thinks might be the culprit at all? The meds and the shampoos are for the symptoms, to make him feel better, they are not going to keep him from being allergic to whatever he is reacting to. I would start to look for the source, thats not even close to easy! and will take time and research. I think both of mine are suffering with food allergies, so I have eliminated foods that have common allergens in them. What food are you feeding your guy? There is a thread on this forum called "FOOD FOR THOUGHT" that has links to many posts on this board and to other sites with information regarding foods and nutrition. You can also do a search on "dog allergies", look at holistic dog sites and find info on allergens in dogs. When I stopped feeding my dog kibble with corn in it, it made a HUGE difference, he stopped pulling his own hair out and licking himself non-stop. He was still having some symptoms and he has another health issue that I have to consider when choosing food for him so I started him on a raw diet(a prepared purchased one)last week, he gets one meal of frozen and one of the Kibble I chose that doesn't have common allergens for dogs in it. He really looks forward to the raw meal and I have noticed his eyes stopped tearing. It's still early, but I am hoping this will do the trick for him and the cat. There is alot of debate and discussion in past threads here on foods, it's a good place to start. Environment is another thing to look at. Start by reading this: http://www.auspet.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000048.html It will outline for you how to go about discovering what the allergens may be. IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 373 |
posted 10-28-2003 09:33 AM
Robostreak - your poor dog! Maisey is right the meds are just a feel good and dont heal outlying problem. It could be a food allergies or fleas or pollens. What food is he/she eating. Many allergies are caused by foods. I am going thru something similar but not as bad as you. Jake got a mouth infection the vet said is probably food related and he has been scratching a lot. Well I switched his food last week. I also think he has a grass allergy. He never sleeps outside and last night he did on the grass because it was so hot in the house. This morning he came in scratching like crazy. It can be a long process in finding what your dog is allergic to. Please do a search on "food for thought" as Maisey suggested and start with possbily changing the diet first. And if you do, realize that it is not an overnight fix that it takes a little time to show improvement. Has the vet recommended supplement like vit e, flax seed, etc. Many of the ingredients incommercial dog food cause severe skin rashes so again please read up on food for thought and please come back with any questions and let us know what ourboxer is currently eating
Honeybear IP: |
