Skin problems

I know a lot of our dogs have skin problems and I have read and read on all the different cures and potions, Ive had steriod creams etc from the vets and been told the next thing is injections etc which I'm really not happy doing.
At the rescue we tend to treat things like this with flower remedies but it takes ages to find the right one and so far nothing has touched Guinness.

His problem isnt too bad just hot spots as I call them, he will scratch like mad till he's made that bit bleed and then moves onto a different bit and only has two or three spots at one time. He never had any problem until he was castrated.

So my question is do we just live with it? piriton does help slightly, as does rescue remedy, do you think it is ok not to go down the injection route?

Have they offered any shampoo's for you to try?

There is one we use at work, epi-sooth, for sensitive skin, for dogs who have slight skin complaints - works wonders.

Is there any fur loss with it, or is he just scrathing?

I personally do not like steriod creams, injections and would always try and find an alternitve cure.

I did have a number for someone who puts together herbal remdies for skin complaints and she is very good - I will try and find it for you.

x

My vet prescribed epi-sooth shampoo when we had boris, he had really bad skin and it worked wonders with him, we had to wash him once a week with it.
hope you find something that works tarnia x

Yeah I was told when Buddy had his allergies, that he could have scrapes and steroid injections if we could find nothing else, but even the vet said, she didnt like to do it, cos its a horrible thing long term...!

His on Piriton and it works, I also stick a bit of sudacrem on if his itching, but its not very often at all with him

Hope u find something to work for Guinness.

Thanks guys does this episoothe have to be prescribed or can you buy it in the shops? its worth a try.

I got mine prescribed but you can buy it online aswell, i juist googled epi-sooothe dog shampoo and quite a few links come up all different prices, this link was the cheapest

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=170

Thanks Ali, I'll order some today.

Salmon oil is great for skin complaints etc,its also good for the internal of the dog too.Its good for everything,ive been using it for well over a year now and its fab.

my yorkie has skin problems but unfortunately we had to go down the route of injections because the shampoos, piriton, atopica etc only touch the sides with her, she scratches like mad, makes herself bleed and comes up all blotchy etc. i would avoid if possible, we are going down this route because even the steroids werent helping just making her grumpy etc, it costs a fortune because you have to be referred to a specialist to have the injections made

Hotspots are so common and often get triggered after surgery when your dog is run down.Many bitches i have seen never suffer from hotspot until they have the stress from a c section.
I use Malaseb when i get any with a flare up.I never use the injections as i have found a course of antirobe has done the trick.
On the bulldog rescue site their is a link for some MSM crem very cheap and works very well.Good luck.

Hi, I am a registered breeder in Australia and Kara my red girl used to get skin problems,

I put her on my now famous oil mix and feed her only fresh meat and veggies, no dry food, i hate the stuff. no food with artificial colours or preservatives

mix equal parts of sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed or linseed oil, and fish oil or cod liver oil. put 2 tablespoons a day on your dogs food.

Ismo started nibbling and licking his paws pretty soon after I started feeding him dry food ( i fed raw first), so I stopped and went back to feeding him raw food + rice. He got better then.

But now he has started nibbling his paws again and they look pretty bad even though i've tried to keep them dry and stop him licking them..they are reeally itchy I'm taking him to the vet on monday to see what's wrong and hope he is just allergic to something he eats and nothing else..