Ross has ongoing skin problems...

[MelLovesRoss]

I would love opinions or advice...
Ross is 13 months old and he has been going to the vet for about 4 months with skin issues. His symptoms: hair loss, scratchy skin, head shaking etc...his chest, under his arms, and behind his ears are all scabby...he has had skin scraping tests, blood work, hes on a special diet (eukaneba FP) and nothing has been working. Now the vet has told me I should see a Vet Dermatologist (very expensive) so I am seeking a second opinion before I decide to go down that path. He is on a steroid right now...and his skin has cleared up in a week!
I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with their boxer and what steps you took to fix it?? Any help would be so appreciated, I want to make my Ross better!
Melissa

 

[Chiefsmom]

Chief is getting little bald, scabby,and sometimes pussy spots on his skin. This has been occuring after his recent allergic reactions (hives). We went to a dermatologist at Cornell Univ. They did skin scrapings, and bloodwork; and they gave him an antibiotic/steroid for short hair pyoderma! It's clearing up now. Jan posted an article on the attached thread regarding pyoderma to answer my questions. It may or may not be the same thing. But it might help! Good luck! Keep us posted!

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127939

 

[kayboxer]

You might want to go to the link about the different types of kibble, www.dogfoodanalysis.com. Eukanuba is, to put it bluntly, crap. Roxy had bad allergies, flakey skin, itching, hair loss. I finally figured out she is grain intolerant. You might want to find a grain free food, such as Timberwolf or Tast of the Wild. Or, have you considered homecooking or raw feeding? The first thing I would try, before spending tons of money, would be changing his diet and getting him off the Eukanuba. I know, "the vet says", but I highly doubt he knows everything about different dog foods. I had my vet try to talk me in to Science Diet. I said no thank you and found my own and Roxy has had no trouble since! Good luck!

 

[MelLovesRoss]

california natural?

does anyone know anything about this dog food?
i've been told to try it, i want to switch Ross's dog food, but unsure of what i should try...and i've heard good things of timberwolf too...

 

[kayboxer]

I've never tried the California Natural, but mine are currently on Timberwolf (I'm getting ready to try raw). They LOVE Timberwolf, and it is an excellent food, especially if there is any allergies towards grains. Couldn't go wrong with TW!

 

[ROROSHELTON]

California Natural...

Brutus was on California Natural lamb & rice for over a year and did great on it. It's an excellent food. I recently switched him to Dick Van Patten's duck & potato. He seemed to be getting tired of the CN and I wanted to see how he would do on a different protein and carb source.

 

[simmons]

I would also try a grain free - good quality kibble. I know Timberwolf has a grain free kibble : http://timberwolforganics.com/pet-foods
My two absolutely loved Timberwolf.

Did the vet say what Ross's condition might be? Maybe something similar to Seasonal Flank Alopecia? Just a thought???? Does it look something like this: http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/seasonalalopecia.htm

If it is something like this, then you can buy Melatonin pills and give them to Ross dailey. My parents bought some for thier Engligh Bulldog. (May or maynot work for your case though)

Good Luck!!

 

[AStefanie]

Drake also has the same problem. He's had red skin on his neck, ears, feet. We've tried new food (timberwolf - he loves it), no treats, benadryl and clariton. No luck. He went on steroids for a week which helped clear it up, but now we're back to the same condition. It's very frustrating 'cause we know he's uncomfortable and we can't find the solution either.

 

[BXR RYD]

I use Malaseb Pledgets, the Malaseb spray and bathe in the Malaseb shampoo. These products are available at the vets ofc or you can buy them online, they really work. I use the pledgets around the ears and face (be careful) and around the private areas. The spray for the body and the feet and the shampoo when needed.
I would recommend you try them :o) but should really find the underlying cause and I can tell you it is going to be a food allergy to a grain or a protein source.

Good luck.

 

[Helen Daniels]

2 thoughts

Hi - two of my boxers suffer from seasonal alopeacia, both have had blood tests to rule out things like hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease. For both dogs the hair loss is confined to their flanks and it does not itch or scab over so I think it unlikely to be the problem for Ross. One other thought, I don't know if you get foxes in the US like we do in the UK but I know of a couple of people who have dogs that have suffered similar skin problems to Ross and after much investigation, vets have put it down to coming in contact with foxes or their dens. Not sure of the actual diagnosis but whatever the condition is called it was treatable and both dogs recovered completely and their hair grew back.