sundays-child Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Hi everyone, Our English Cocker Charlie (10 weeks) is having a terrible time with itchy skin. A bath seems to have cleared up the flakiness but he is still scratching at himself and whinging while doing so :D He has been treated with Frontline and is 100% flea free. His diet consists of raw meat, steamed chicken & vegetables, sardines in olive oil (daily), scrambled egg, home made lactose free yoghurt and an all natural puppy food. This is all alternated throughout the week. We didn't want him to end up fussy like our older girl so we have tried to be as diverse with his diet as possible. Unfortunately, I feel that has backfired - Charlie will only eat the expensive Canadian sardines and not the generic Thailand ones. I can't say I blame him though, the generic look awful. He went for his 10 week vaccinations yesterday and the vet also feels it is not allergies but more a dry skin issue. He recommended using Alpha Keri Oil. Has anyone else tried this? I was also thinking of bathing him in a homemade oatmeal soak. His coat is very soft and shiny so I really can't understand how his skin could have any issues but I'm no dermatologist! Any advice would be most appreciated. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Have only used Alpha Keri on humans- you'll be left with an oily residue. Possibly a problem if he's an inside dog? One of my dogs was itchy for a couple of weeks after having fleas, despite all fleas gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavalier Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Do be aware that some dogs can become allergic to oatmeal. If I wash my older Cav in oatmeal shampoo she scratches herself to bits for days afterwards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 It could be a food allergy. What sort of meat are you feeding? Is there gluten in the puppy food? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundays-child Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 It could be a food allergy.What sort of meat are you feeding? Is there gluten in the puppy food? He's fed raw beef, raw lamb and steamed chicken. No gluten from what I can see. The vet feels it isn't a food allergy as he is too young. As he did have dandruff prior to his bath, I'd say he's got quite dry skin and it's flaring up resulting in his scratching. Can anyone recommend a good shampoo and conditioner to soothe the skin but still keep his shiny coat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Hi Sundays child , Have u checked the garden for wandering jew ?this can cause skin allergies. Also sardines EVERY day<Imo, is to much ,maybe just once a week Malasab shampoo, is good for allergies ,but what ever shampoo u r using make sure u rinse really well after use . u could try mather gardners wool mix with t tree oil,also good for bathing pups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 What diet did the breeder suggest?? Have you change the diet ?? Was the pup scratchy when you brought it home ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 hi sunday's child! ooh another cocker! you should come pop into the cocker thread under breed subforums. Molly my girl was itchy when we got her home. If it is a dry skin issue, try Aloveen shampoo and especially the conditioner. Is really good for sensitive skin, and smells divine as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toohey Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Our English Cocker Charlie (10 weeks) is having a terrible time with itchy skin. A bath seems to have cleared up the flakiness but he is still scratching at himself and whinging while doing so He has been treated with Frontline and is 100% flea free. His diet consists of raw meat, steamed chicken & vegetables, sardines in olive oil (daily), scrambled egg, home made lactose free yoghurt and an all natural puppy food. I would eliminate the richer meats (lamb and beef) and feed the chicken as raw minced frames and raw wings/necks. Don't cook his food, feed teh egg raw with the shell crushed in. Sardines every day is a bit too much as well. What percentage of his diet is the puppy food? Don't bath too often as you will remove the natural oils in his coat. You can try the Malaseb shampoo for immediate relief, but dry skin is usually a dietary issue. Might be worth adding some omega 3 supplements, plenty to choose from including Megaderm which is a supplement you get from the vet. POlyvite is also good for pups. BTW we call the breed just "Cocker Spaniels" in Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundays-child Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 hi sunday's child! ooh another cocker! you should come pop into the cocker thread under breed subforums.Molly my girl was itchy when we got her home. If it is a dry skin issue, try Aloveen shampoo and especially the conditioner. Is really good for sensitive skin, and smells divine as well. Thanks Kitty! I'll see if I can purchase that online or at Petbarn. I'll pop into the cocker forum later tonight, thanks for the tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I've heard good things about the Malaseb, and i agree with cutting out the richer meats in your pups diet. I definately agree with the other posters re: your itchy pup. there are lots of different reasons for itching, and i know how much of a pain it can be.... Molly used to scratch so much, it upset me to see her itching like that! Fingers crossed you have an itch-free pup soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Malasab is very drying & not a product i would use. The beef could be the culprit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraydebbie Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I actually found Frontline an irritation to one of my cockers. Everytime I used it, she would scratch for about a week or two after. It took many months before she got used to the product and no more scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavalier Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Malasab is very drying & not a product i would use.The beef could be the culprit Malaseb is a fantastic product however should really only be used where there is a confirmed bacterial and/or fungal infection in the skin. It is very drying therefore the malaseb conditioner should be used after the shampoo. From what the lasy is saying Malaseb is a bit too strong for what this puppy has. I would recommend taking your pup to a specialist Dermatologist, you will get the most up to date and accurate information on skin issues from a specialist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundays-child Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 I was looking up the Aloveen range as recommended and came across another brand called Epi-Soothe. This comes in a shampoo and cream rinse conditioner. I also found Dr Harry's Hypo-Allergenic shampoo and conditioner. A lot less in price and all natural ingredients - Oatmeal Extract, Sweet Almond Oil, Wheatgerm Oil, Lavender Oil and Aloe Vera. Has anyone tried any of these two brands? Appreciate the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerojath Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 If it is merely a skin iritation and not diet related, a bath with some 'Pine Tarsol' in the water works wonders. You get it from your chemist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundays-child Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks JeroJath, My vet actually recommended that so I might try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Alpha Ceri oil is great for cockers. You can either use it neat, or dilute 1/3 AC to 2/3 water and spray on. Although it is called an oil, it isn't and it doesn't pick up dirt and grass the way an oil does. Also have your vet check him for mange mites - these are invisible, and although unlkely, they can be a source of scratching. Revolution will stop them, if that is the case. If didn't have the problem when he came, revert to what the breeder suggested, it may be due to new additions to the diet since he came to live with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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