I have adopted a Newfoundland. Apparently he is highly allergic to fleas. We have had him dipped, but his skin is extremely dry and he keeps itching to the point of losing his fur and bleeding. We have tried using fish oil capsules. Any ideas?

*EDIT* He is not bathed on a regular basis. So that's out of the question.

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Originally Posted by J_9

I have adopted a Newfoundland. Apparently he is highly allergic to fleas. We have had him dipped, but his skin is extremely dry and he keeps itching to the point of losing his fur and bleeding. We have tried using fish oil capsules. Any ideas?

*EDIT* He is not bathed on a regular basis. So that's out of the question.

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That is too bad, he is a water dog after all. What did they diip him in ? I would add a supplement to his food, dry kibble I assume, as in a good quality vegetable oil, tsp at a time, one a day; will take a while to kick in where you will see a difference . A huge dog and I know for sure susceptible to hip dysplasia, so you have taken on quite a package of dog. However, lovely breed, effectionate, good with kids, needs a lot of excerise.

How old is he by the way ?

Tick

I have tried everything (as you can probably see by my posts) I ended up with giving 'baby benedryle' (SP?) (suggested from my Vet) when we have winds or dry weather.
Although Shaz says don't give human drugs unless your Vet has said to.

I tried and am still doing oatmeal bath, sweet potato and salmon food for allergies, home made cookies, etc.

I still have Salmon oil (to put on the food) in the fridge that only gave him pinkish skin on his belly, didn't look good, so held off. Waiting... to... try... again...

He doesn't bleed, but still is constantly scratching!

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Originally Posted by tickle

That is too bad, he is a water dog after all. What did they diip him in ? I would add a supplement to his food, dry kibble I assume, as in a good quality vegetable oil, tsp at a time, one a day; will take a while to kick in where you will see a difference . A huge dog and I know for sure susceptible to hip dysplasia, so you have taken on quite a package of dog. However, lovely breed, effectionate, good with kids, needs a lot of excerise.

How old is he by the way ?

tick

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He's 4 years old. Was my father's dog, but when Dad passed the responsibility was given to my mother. He was chained to go outside as he wanders. We have a fenced yard, and kids and 3 other dogs for him to play with. Huge responsibility I know, but Mom wanted him to go to a good home where she knew he was taken care of properly.

I'm going to try an oatmeal paste on his hot spots. Any other advice?

Oatmeal paste will dry his skin out more, will eliminate his anxiety and itching but not much more. I would use a good moisturizer, J-9. He has a few layers of hair, maybe tough to get to all the hot spots but you can do your best. Do you have Gold Bond moisturizer, something non allergenic ?
Aveeno moisturizer is oatmeal based and non allergenic. It sounds as if he has had this condition like forever. Healing has to come from within, but he is still a young dog, out of puppyhood.

It won't be hard to get to the hotspots. We had him shaved as he moved from a cool climate to a HOT climate, so the hotspots are highly visible. Aveeno is on hubby's shopping list right now. My sister mentioned that it may be stress too.

Thoughts?

Hi J.

Congrats on the new addition.

I found a website that has a few home remedies you could try.

All about skin related problems & diseases in dogs, including natural treatments - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

Our border collie has dry skin as well. When I do bathe him we use a mild dish detergent as recommended by our vet. It's worked wonders.

After his bath we rub him down with vitamin E cream (not gel, cream) and that seems to help.

As for stress, very possible. He's been moved into a new home, he's probably a bit unsure of his place. Lots of tlc and hugs and he'll come around. :)

Pictures? :)

We just got some hydrocortisone spray recommended by the groomer. Sprayed it on and he seems a little less itchy. We'll see how that works. Will start adding the veggie oil to the diet as well.

I don't really need to add much, you guys have said it all!

I will give you my case though,
With my white boy he was always itching and had dry skin.

Turns out he was having problems with Beef, it caused a bad reaction in his skin and staining around his rear (obviously with a newfie you wouldn't be able to tell if he was stained)

I switched from beef to lamb and started feeding a couple of cans of sardines a week (in oil) and now he has improved greatly.

A lot of dry skin problems can be caused by diet.

If he has bad allergies then I would suggest not doing flea dips on him, buy a spot on treatment (the ones that go on the back of their neck) I have had less trouble with them and they are more effective.

And finally, thanks for adopting :)

The hydrocortisone cream worked wonders. He did not scratch all night and is still sleeping soundly. Catching up from all that missed sleep I'm sure. I know he does have a problem with diet, so we are lucky to be able to get the same food mom was feeding him, so there has really been no change in diet. We are adding the veggie oil to the food, and will try the sardines in oil.

Thanks guys!!

I hope he stays itch free from now on!

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

I hope he stays itch free from now on!

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Oh, so do I. I just feel so sorry for him when he scratches, he's so lovable, I hate to see him hurting. The spray seems to have worked. Prescribed to use it 4x a day, but have only had to do it once yesterday, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

Also, he is an indoor dog. He hates the outside. Probably because for those last 2 years he had to be put on a chain while outside.

I'm going to try the sardines :) You said a couple cans a week? Our cans I think come small, like maybe 4 ounces. Is that the size you were thinking? I have 20 lb and a 10 lb or so (pups) and they share the food (even though there are two separate bowls)

Do you chop them up? Or just give as a treat? Do they like them?

Sorry for so many questions.:eek:

I' not sure how big the cans are exactly... there are about 4-5 sardines in each can with a ringpull thing on top. (I have run out so I can't check)
I feed dog sausage so I just mix it through the chopped up sausage, they love it!
Mine also aren't big dry food eaters, pour a little sardine oil over it and they gulp it down.

I have a 10kg dog and a 8kg b*tch and they get a can between them twice a week.

J_9 - it makes me so angry when people chain their dogs up, what is the point in even having a pet if it's just going to be left alone all day outside :( Thank you for giving him a better life, and give him a cuddle from me ;)

Shaz, he wasn't chained up all day. Just for his potty breaks, twice a day for a half hour each time. He was an indoor dog and loved so very much, but mom knew we could give him a better life with more exercise (she is 73 and doesn't have the energy or strength that a newfoundland needs).

So, in essence he was very spoiled and very loved, and even slept in bed with mom, just needed more room to roam at potty breaks.

The story is this... Dad wanted a dog very badly, and mom gave in under the conditions that he walk, feed, and clean up after the dog. They got Xander in December 2006. In March, Dad went into the hospital and never came home. Mom was left to care for the dog, he was 2 then.

She is on a limited budget so can't afford the vet bills. She would only put him outside the house 2 times a day on the chain. He was very loved and very spoiled, but had to go on a chain or he would wander away. Mom is getting too old to walk him and doesn't have the strength anymore to walk him, thus the chain. She keeps in touch with us almost daily to find out how he has acclimated to his new family.

Everyone here has made some great suggestions. The only thing I'll add is that my dog used to have the same issue and I found an oil specifically for this problem. If memory serves me correctly, I believe I got it at Wal-Mart but you probably could find something similar other places as well.

It was specifically to treat dry skin in dogs. I'd put a tablespoon or so on her dry kibble at each feeding. Over time her skin wasn't dry or flaky and her coat was shiny and healthy.

Ahhhh sorry J_9 I thought he was a rescue case, I need to learn to read better :o

Sounds like she did the right thing then letting you take him, even if he was loved, finances come into play with animals.
At least they can still visit him :)

I'm still waiting for pictures. ;)

Alty, he'd be too embarrassed right now if I showed what he looks like now.

Shaz, in a sense he is a rescue dog. I rescued mom from all the vet bills, and I rescued him to a life with children and other dogs to play with. Mom was worried that he would die a young death as he had no one to play with and no one to exercise him. She refused to give him away unless she knew he would be taken care of and that she could visit him when she needed to. It was the last piece of "Dad" that she had left.

You must promise photos once he is all cleaned up then ;)

My mum is like that too, she refuses to rehome dogs. I was lucky to get the two that I have (they used to be hers) she just couldn't cope with the amount of dogs she had and had to do something.
Now I have my two furry babies.

I'm sure he will love all the attention and walks he's going to get, he will love visits from his "mum" as well, mine still get excited when my mum comes around even though they have become very attached to me.