Sankari Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) My 6 year old Golden Retriever has been on Macrolone since she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease Lupus. Recently i have noticed her skin extremely flaky, and the tops of her front legs hair falling out. She's not scratching nor biting and doesnt seem bothered by any of this, so I am unsure of how to not only help hair growth as well as help the flaky skin. Her diet is currently Holistic select, and i also add evening primrose oil, fish oil and echinacea to her diet as well as her daily medication of Macrolone. After some ideas of how to help her skin and hair growth. She is otherwise happy, healthy and energetic so i am not worried enough for a vet trip but just thought someone may have other ideas to add to her diet? ETA: Also noticed the pink skin on her belly turning black? Edited February 5, 2012 by LucyCharzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I presume that you have taken your dog to a specialist dermo vet & they have prescribed the cortisone drug? I am wondering if vitamin B3 might help as it is a mild auto immune suppressant. If there is an infection present the dog might need a course of antibiotics to go with the B3 but definitely consult a specialist vet. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of options for auto immune diseases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Unfortunately there aren't a lot of options for auto immune diseases. I am currently trialling the use of a supplement called "The Transfer Factor" with my boy. A journey via google shows it as being associated in the treatment of lupus and numerous other immune system related issues. I can't attest to its success or not at this point of time - with any luck I should know more come end March, having by then given it a good couple of months to work (we're about 2 weeks in), but making this a point as it might be an option not considered. As an aside, I've also started taking the supplement for myself :D. ETA: To the OP : I presume you have had comprehensive thyroid tests conducted to rule this out as an underlying issue with your dog's health? Hypothyroid dogs commonly have excess black skin pigment around the area of their groins. There is also a connection between Thyroid issues and Lupus. This is the reason I ask. Edited February 6, 2012 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 We will be getting a consult back to the specialist again, but just wondered if anyone had any ideas. What is the strangest thing is she's not scratching, biting or in the slightest bothered about this. The vet who works in the grooming salon i work in - we have a vet connected in the store as well as grooming and pet supplies, i had Charlotte at work and asked her to have a look and all she said was "just put her on sensitive skin food" but i do not think it is necessary for this situation. the skin is obviously caused by the disease not environment or diet. I'll get a consult with the specialist and also get some tests for thyroid - she hasnt had any tests for a little while at least not in the time the skin has flared up. So best i get that checked on. Thanks for the replies :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollipop Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Google "Ichthyosis". The symptoms sound similar. It is a common problem in Goldens overseas and is currently being tested for here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 Forgot to update here, she's seen the vet who believes the skin is a side effect of the dosage of Macrolone. So that's been reduced and also bathing in malaseb twice weekly to see if there's a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Forgot to update here, she's seen the vet who believes the skin is a side effect of the dosage of Macrolone. So that's been reduced and also bathing in malaseb twice weekly to see if there's a difference. Malaseb is very drying and could well be making her skin worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Malaseb is very drying and could well be making her skin worse. Agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 bathed her in it for the first time yesterday - i have not previously ever bathed her in malaseb so impossible for that to be making her skin worse if shes never been bathed in it til yesterday. didnt do anything but release all the flakes up, but today cant see much flakes on her coat but of course when i look at her skin theres flakes everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 It's up to you, of course, but I would first be using Calendula Tea as and when necessary. Any shampoo has a drying affect. Malaseb is effective but a bit harsh (IMO) for frequent use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 where can i get the tea from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) Health Food Store, LC. Get a brand that is organically grown, no artificial colourings. Make it as you would a tea (I use a single cup coffee plunger). Let it steep until it cools. I use about 2 or so tablespoons worth (thereabouts). Should cost about $10 for a 50 gram packet, which should give you quite a good number of treatments. Edited February 19, 2012 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 thanks Erny, how do i administer it? dumb question but i actually dont have a clue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) Lol ....I did a post (or 2 or 3) ages ago, giving a step by step guide. Must see if I can hunt the best of them down and ask for it to go as a sticky. But no problems, LC - glad you asked - it is not a dumb question :). There are alternatives as far as application is concerned. Which one you opt for is up to you (ie what you find the easiest for your dog). You can pour the tea liquid into a spray container and spray it through your dog's coat to the skin. This is sometimes the best for dogs with long or longish coats. You can saturate a flannel and sloush that through your dog's coat so that the tea liquid gets to the dog's skin. If you need the tea to treat your dog all over, make it into a bath. I have a large dog so what I do when I want to give him a good saturation all over is I run about 2 or 3 inches of the hottest water possible into the bath tub. I put quite a good sized fist full of the tea into the toe of a cut-off stocking and tie it off. I let that bob around in the hot water. When the water is tepid to cool, in goes dog and I use the tea-stocking like I would a sponge, to wet him all over, paying particular attention to under his arms, in between his hind legs/groin area, under his stomach and under his neck ..... and then of course every and anywhere else his skin is most troubled. I use a towel to mop up the excess from his coat, but not from the skin. I let it dry naturally. Hope that helps, LC. If I've left something out and you have a question about it, feel free to ask :). Edited February 19, 2012 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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