Dashound itching, fish oil, flakey

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Expert: Shawn – 1/16/2009

Question
We have a female Dachshund.She is a long hair and is between five to eight years old.She is very well cared for and we really check the food and treats that she gets.She also gets a fish oil pill every morning and She is bathed weekly which only gives her a short time of relief from her itching distress.I’m at my wits end.I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get her some relief. Thanks Bob  Answer
Hi Bob-

It sounds like she is really having some allergies, but unfortunatly I don’t have enough information here to really help. Please write back with some of the following information and I would be happy to assist!

1)What brand of food is she on, is it wet or dry, and how often does she eat it?

2)What type of shampoo are you bathing her with weekly)

3)Is she on flea control? if so, what kind?

4)Does she have hives, raised bumps or open sores?

5)Is her skin flakey?

If you could send some of this back to me, I would be happy to help. Thanks!

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Shawn

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding basic medical needs, diet, behavioral questions, training questions, animal rescue/rehab, breeding/whelping, and conformation showing. I AM NOT A VET- I HAVE COMPLETED TWO YEARS OF VET SCHOOL ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME IN DEPTH MEDICAL QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE DIRECTED ONLY TOWARDS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST WITH BASIC MEDICAL QUESTIONS/NEEDS THAT I CAN OFFER MY PERSONAL OPINION ON.

I have been training/handling dogs for 12 years in conformation showing and obedience. I grew up with selective breeding and whelping, and can offer advice on professional responsible breeding, correct whelping techniques and genetic testing/screening.

For the last 10 years I have been a director of a large animal rescue group and animal welfare advocate for my state. I can offer assistance with training and rehabilitating rescue dogs (to a certain extent- please remember that without seeing and really evaluating a dogs condition, no trainer can offer complete advice.) starting your own rescue group, how to volunteer and donate effectively to rescue groups/shelters, finding your perfect pet, and adoption contracts/agreements.

I am a member of APDT- The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and have just started my third year of vet school at NC state. I am a pre-vet major with vet tech experience and behavioral studies experience. I have also spent many years researching proper canine nutrition.

Please remember that you are asking MY OPINION and that I am in no way shape or form a substitute for immediate vet care in the case of an emergency, or if you feel your dog may be injured, in pain, or seriously ill.

I maintain the right to refuse to answer any questions I am not comfortable with, I can not understand (please use proper spelling and grammar) or is in violation of my beliefs regarding proper animal welfare.

Experience

12 years of dog training/handling, conformation showing of several breeds, 10 years director of an animal rescue group, and a vet student.

Organizations
APDT- Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Education/Credentials
3rd year vet student

What Oil Supplement Should I Give My Dog for Itching & Flaking Skin?

Peteducation.com reports that food allergies account for 20 percent of allergies in pets that lead to itching and skin problems. Other causes may be environmental or may even be from natural bacteria that a dog carries on its skin. Many pet owners have been taught that a dog’s food will supply all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and live a long life. Unfortunately, many commercial dog foods contain wheat and soy, two of the most common ingredients to which dogs are allergic. Supplementing a dog’s diet with the fatty acids found in fish oil relieves allergy symptoms.

What are Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids are types of polyunsaturated fats, according to PetEducation.com. The two main types important for dogs include omega-6 and omega-3 acids. Dogs produce some of the other necessary fatty acids themselves, but these essential fatty acids must come from their diet. Dogs need a proper ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Most commercial pet foods contain a disproportionate amount of omega-6 acids.

Types

Two acids in particular, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are extremely important and found in marine fish and certain plants. Fish oil—commonly sardine or salmon oil—comes in gel caps and as an oil, which can easily supplement a dog’s diet. The oil is easier to add to a dog’s food. High-quality fish oil for humans is also suitable for animals, but if your dog is picky, choose a fish oil that is formulated for dogs. Those formulations may have an added flavor that dogs enjoy.

Benefits

Supplementing a dog’s diet with the fatty acids found in fish oil diminishes its itching and flaking skin, but will take at least six weeks to see a change. Most dogs get relief from symptoms sooner than that. Fatty acids also help with yeast infections of the skin, as well.

Use of Oils

Add fish oil to your dog’s food every day. Follow the dosage directions on the bottle, but don’t be afraid to give your dog more than the recommended dosage if its allergies are very serious. In addition, many dosage recommendations are too low for results, according to PetCareNaturally.com. To cure medical problems, a dog should be consuming 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day of EPA and DHA ,and all dogs should be consuming a daily supplement of 1,000 mg to maintain healthy skin and coat.

Alternatives

Many plant-derived sources of fatty acids are equally as potent as fish oil. These include flax meal or oil, pumpkin seed oil, sunflower or safflower oil. It is also okay to feed your dog sardines instead of the oil, which may have benefits over fish oil gel capsules.

Is Your Pet Scratching & Itching? Some Simple Tips Will Give Your Pet Quick Relief.

Even some of the most pampered pets may have dull, lifeless coats with red spots on the skin and patches of fur missing. Pet owners will seek out advice for hair and coat conditioners and other topical products, but a beautiful coat comes from the inside. Fur coats are a reflection on the outside of what your pet is experiencing on the inside.

While it is quite common for a pet’s coat to lose some luster with age, this and other coat quality challenges can be quickly remedied using these health-promoting tips:

1) Give your cat or dog omega 3 fatty acids. “Omega 3’s as they are commonly referred to, are not only good for you, but are great for your pet.   In addition to enhancing the coat and skin, they are helpful for allergies, joint support, brain function and so much more. You can use a combination of fish oil, flaxseed oil and olive oil. Some pet owners also give their pets a small amount of coconut oil as an extra treat. Be sure to buy the highest quality, purified oils where contaminants such as PCBs and heavy metals have been removed. Please note: pet owners of cats or dogs having pancreatitis should consult a veterinarian before using any type of oil.

2) If you have an older dog with a dull coat or skin problems, please take your dog to the veterinarian for a blood panel to have the thyroid function checked. Many older dogs can have a reduced level of thyroid function which can greatly affect coat quality and also contribute to weight gain. Natural supplements containing ingredients such as kelp can help support thyroid health. Sometimes a pet may have “borderline low” thyroid results so ask your veterinarian if Thyroid Support by Standard Process, a natural thyroid supplement can be used first before using thyroid replacement medication.  Many of my clients use Thyroid Support without thyroid medication to help support their dog’s hypothyroid condition.

3) Use a hypoallergenic diet if your cat or dog is scratching, itching and tearing his fur out. Many pets lose fur near the hind legs, abdomen and tail due to food allergies. Pets with food allergies can react daily to common commercial food ingredients such as grains (oats, wheat, corn, etc), peanut butter or poultry. Seek out the advice of a pet nutritionist or veterinarian to help determine the best diet for your pet. There are many grain-free, hypoallergenic commercial pet food options available.

4) Be sure your cat or dog does not have fleas or other parasites. It is always a good idea to have your veterinarian check for parasites (both internally and externally) at least once a year. Many times pets can have hidden parasites that you may not be aware of. This can greatly affect coat quality.

5) Keep a close eye on your pet’s digestive health. Many cats and dogs have digestive problems that can contribute to poor coat quality. Pets that have loose stool, vomiting, gas and tummy rumbling may not be digesting their food properly. As a result, critical nutrients needed to ensure good health and a lustrous coat, are not being absorbed. For example, when pets eat commercial foods containing grains, much of what they are eating, might come out as partially digested-food resulting in large, voluminous stools. Consider incorporating a highly-digestible, commercial raw frozen diet into at least a portion of your pet’s daily food intake. Also, a high-quality, third-party tested probiotic and digestive enzyme will help improve your pet’s absorption of vital nutrients.