Maxies a Dirty Old Man! (skin staining)

[mchis]

Hahaha...he's a dirty grumpy old man now. ;D I'm not sure if this should go in the health section or nutrition section? Feel free to move if I put it in the wrong section. At any rate--he's got some kind of allergy going on I'm assuming. Over the last few months it's slowly progressed. He has some staining on his armpits/chest/front legs & on his nose where he licks. I haven't noticed him itching more than the norm nor does he bite/lick his feet or get red ears after eating specific foods or anything like that.

When we were doing soley prey model raw he didn't have a problem (surprise surprise!)...it's when I started adding premades and supplements (we didn't add supplements at first) that it began. So yeah...that really narrows it down. At first I thought it was either something, a fruit or veggie, in the Honest Kitchen OR Nupro. But after talking with the owner of the Animal House (fav natural dog/cat/small animal store ever!) I'm wondering if maybe it's not salmon oil?

As of today I'm giving him coconut oil in place of the salmon oil just to see if it makes a difference. We do prey model raw but I've been lazy & they've been getting a lot of Stella & Chewy's & ZiwiPeak lately & the very occasional Honest Kitchen (Thrive or Embark).

Anyway, here are a couple pics--any one have any other ideas? Oh & he does have some tan on his legs...so they're not *that* bad. But enough that I can notice.

[brodysmom]

I think you are doing the right thing.... just stick with PMR and the coconut oil with no supplements and see if it doesn't start clearing up. I've heard of dogs being sensitive to the vitamin E which is in most salmon oil. I have to say... he's such a sweet dirty ol man!

[Sarah]

Oh I agree go back to minimal and see what happens!

[brodysmom]

Just want to throw this in there ..... anytime there are skin conditions that aren't solved by diet, I automatically think thyroid. It's a problem in our breed. So if it doesn't clear up with a diet change, and the discoloration is still there - then take him in for a t3, t4. Some people recommend using Dr. Dodds, she is the expert in the field and will do extensive testing with recommendations depending on age, sex, and breed. But I think just a typical thyroid screen at the vet would be fine.

[mchis]

Thanks guys. Such a bummer because the premades have been a lifesaver when I'm working. LOL Not anything some grinds won't solve though....I just have to be better at remembering to take things out of the freezer.

Thanks for the other idea Tracy. Hopefully it's not that. He doesn't have any of the other obvious symptoms of hypothyroidism so I think that's a good sign? Especially since I know for sure when the staining started was shortly after adding different things to his diet.

So I guess back to basics we go.

[Hollie]

Apr 29, 2011 19:33:21 GMT brodysmom said:

I think you are doing the right thing.... just stick with PMR and the coconut oil with no supplements and see if it doesn't start clearing up. I've heard of dogs being sensitive to the vitamin E which is in most salmon oil. I have to say... he's such a sweet dirty ol man!

Really? Can salmon oil give them itchy skin? Feo's skin has flared up again and he is losing a lot of leg fur I've been giving salmon oil alternate days to try and help.

[Paula]

He's such a cutie. He reminds me of my Pip at certain angles. I have no clue, but I agree going back to basics is a good start. I hope it clears up soon, hun. Keep us posted.

[Kristi]

hehe...poor Maxie...he still is smexy smexy tho we like dirty old men here...

I don't have anything to add just that if mine get too much Salmon oil they have issues with itches or lots of licking (??), which is why I do a variety of oils...