GoldD Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I have a 16w olg Golden Retriever who has had dandruff down around his belly and lower legs (have asked about him in a previous thread). He is having glucosamine, EPO, fish oil and has only been washed once since we have had him, with Aloveen Shampoo and Conditioner (making sure shampoo was well and truly washed out). He is on Ep Holistic Large and Giant breed, LF cottage cheese, youghurt, sardines in water, chicken pet mince and chicken necks and introducing frames. The odd veggie from table scraps (not so much at this time of the year!) His dandruff was clearing when we introduced the EPO in addittion to the fish oil about 2-3 weeks ago (roughly). We saw his breeder 10 days ago who wanted him on Vitamin C as well. We have done that and he is now flaking dandruff from the top of his back, his sides and anywhere else dandruff can come from. His tummy skin is very dry as well and I am not too sure where to go next. Now I don't know if the Vit C has caused it to let rip, he is loosing him puppy coat and the weather has been unbelievably hot but I don't know if any of this would be affecting him. Nothing else has changed at all. Such a beautiful pup, just wish he only left his fur on me rather than fur and dandruff. He is not itchy and it doesn't bother him in the least. He is brushed gently with a slicker brush and he loves to be brushed. This is done daily to remover the fur he is dropping. My other golden has no skin problems so I only have all of you to draw information from. Thanks for anything you can ssuggest.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldD Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 bump......any one? I must be doing everything right I guess....weird dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) We have an issue at the moment of extremely bad dandruff from mid back down the back and legs and have been advised it is a staph problem, perhaps speak to your vet about it? If you think it's the Vit C, cease the Vit C for a week and see if things start to clear up. How much Vit C were you giving? The other thing is you are supplements EPO and Fishoil as well as a very good Kibble that already has Omega Oils in, so you could be way over doing it. Not getting the ratios of Omega 3, 6 & 9's can lead to skin issues like this as well. How come you are giving both LF cottage cheese & youghurt? Are you keeping to the ratios of additional meat added to EP? I think it says on the bag how much you can provide otherwise you can chuck the ratios out, ideally you don't want to be adding anything to the Holistic EP otherwise it's no longer holistic. Was he in this condition when you brought him home or did he develop the condition? Air conditioning can cause some distrubances with the skin especially if the dogs are sitting in it all day when they're not used to it. Edited February 11, 2009 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldD Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks SAS - I alternate the yoghurt and the LF cottage cheese just to spice things up in the meal department. Like a Golden Retriever really cares! He came home with a little dandruff only on the lower legs around the belly with a very wrinkly belly... Will check the bag too but he is getting 80g raw pet mince (chicken from Lenards) to 3/4 cup EP Holistic plus a tablespoon of whichever - youghurt or cottage cheese. Should he have sardines, the pet mince is left out. 1/2 a teaspoon of glucosamine and vit c morning and night which I was told to increase to 1tsp when 12 months old. ! 1000mg EPO and fishoil at night He has been under the evaporative air cond these last few weeks but I wouldn't have thought evap would do that.... I might speak to the food supplier and see what she has to say and then start from scratch again......a trip to the vet might be worth it.....never had a dog like this one. Thank you for your advice.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 If he came home with it I would be asking the Breeder if any of the other litter mates had it and what she believes it is and see a Vet for their opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldD Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 I know two of the littermates and they have absolutely no problems at all....The breeder will see him and groom him tomorrow so she will see him in all his glory! She saw him a few weeks ago but he had settled down a little, but in the last week - 10 days since introducing the Vit C it has taken off. But as you explained too it has also been mega hot, he has been living in the house under the evap air cond vent so that could be it too. Checked the EP food bag and no recommendations of ratios of any other foods to be fed on the bag. Spoke to the food people, she is wonderful!! She talked me through his diet and suggested my new plan of attack. She also expalined that some puppies also have "puppy dandruff". So: I am going to bring him off everything suppliment wise barr the glucosamine and work from there. Keeping EP, yougurt and glucosamine for two weeks and see if there is any improvement.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Sounds like a plan, good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I have absolutely no advice, but I am curious as to why a pup is on glucosamine. I thought that was only used on arthiritic older dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 It is my understanding that EP Holistic already has glucosamine in it so you shouldn't need to add more. I'm not a nutritionalist expert, but unless the puppy had a poor start or not as well as it could be, I wouldn't be adding vitamins when you're already feeding a good quality commercial puppy food (as you are). My boy had a good dose of dandruff when I first got him. Just fed him well (on EP Holistice, btw) and it cleared up by itself in a couple of weeks. Hasn't had it since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I have absolutely no advice, but I am curious as to why a pup is on glucosamine. I thought that was only used on arthiritic older dogs. Not so sure glucosamine is really necessary in very young healthy animals, but it is a nourishment for joints so not necessarily something that you wait until damage is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Have you tried Herbs or even K-9 Immunity (which I learnt about while research things for my two) for his dandruff? My two are on Chinese herbs that my herbalist makes up for them and it is just two tablets a day and they work much better than when I had them other supplements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I have absolutely no advice, but I am curious as to why a pup is on glucosamine. I thought that was only used on arthiritic older dogs. Not so sure glucosamine is really necessary in very young healthy animals, but it is a nourishment for joints so not necessarily something that you wait until damage is done. Young dogs (even pups) get arthistis too so maybe that's way the Glucosamine is being taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Age Outlaw Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Dandruff can have numerous causes. Though diet/nutrition can a common cause, other factors may be worth considering. One of my girls started to get dandruff, specifically on her back (not really anywhere else). She had never had skin problems before, and her diet hadn't changed. I tried oatmeal shampoo, which worked for a day or two but the dandruff returned. Eventually, the veterinary accupunturist said dandruff can also be a symptom of circulation issues ie lack of circulation to the affected area. She told me to massage the area daily and to increase the amount of fish oil. So, now Cleo gets a massage each morning before breakky, and two fish oil caps with her breakky and two with her dinner...dandruff is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdpower Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hi GoldD. I, too, suggest that you don't give a puppy extra glucosamine - it's not necessary at that age. I have had great success feeding flaxseed oil. It is very high in Omega fatty acids, is excellent for their skin and coat, and is also good for digestion etc. You can buy it at Health Food Stores and some chemists. The liquid form is the best way to feed it rather than the capsule form, and should be stored in the refrigerator. Start off feeding a teaspoon a day. I wouldn't shampoo your pup, as that will dry the coat out even more. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Heard on the radio today that glucosamine apparently soothes the gut too. I didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldD Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Very interesting Erny about soothing the gut..... And you are correct - the breeder recommends glucosamine for GRs up to 12 months old as nourishment and preventative for joints (the preventative is my understanding not so much the words of the breeder). He certainly does not have arthritis Ci (thank goodness). This is just her stock standard recommendation. However I must add that he was not bought home on EP holistic, Vivace, vegie pulp and pet mince was her chosen dry food. The dog food supplier did not think the extra dose of glucosamine in addittion to the EP holistic would be an issue but for the time being I am getting rid of everything and starting anew. He was washed again for the second time last night in preparation for his first show today so it'll be interesting to see how he goes. The breeder was not at all worried about him during his grooming. We'll see how we go, thanks for everyones input, I'll keep you updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Very interesting Erny about soothing the gut..... I thought so too. I only came into the discussion part way through, but he was talking about people taking other medications that might irritate the stomach, the glucosamine can help reduce the irritation. Not his exact words, but close. Good luck with the show. Main thing is ...... enjoy it . Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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