Chihuahua pup with bad skin! HELP!!!

[Spanky22]

We have 3 Chihuahua's. Mom (Sandy) Dad (Spooky) & now baby boy (Spanky)! He's about 7 months old. Our problem is he has dry red flaky spots on his back (mostly) some on his front elbows. And he loses hair where these spots are. He doesnt act like its itching him though or if he does he does it when we're not watching. We've searched the internet for answers but nothing really has popped yet. We've tried some medicated shampoos, vitamin shampoos. sulferdine too. but nothing seems to help. ANY IDEAS????????? Thanks

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[Herschel]

1) What food are you feeding? Are you sure they don't have an allergy to something in the diet?

2) Have you gone to your vet?

 

[~Jessie~]

It sounds like a food allergy to me as well... I'm also wondering what food he is on.

 

[Spanky22]

Food is Purina puppy chow with healthy morsels
And cant really afford a vet right now

 

[~Jessie~]

Puppy Chow is one of the worst foods. Dogs are carnivores... here are the ingredients for Puppy Chow:

Whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, chicken by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soybean meal, brewers rice, meat and bone meal, beef, pearled barley, sugar, sorbitol, fish oil, calcium phosphate, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, sorbic acid (a preservative), dried peas, dried carrots, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, calcium propionate (a preservative), added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, DL-Methionine, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.
G-4037

As you can see, it doesn't contain any actual real meat. It is made of cheap grain fillers, dyes, and sugars (along with menadione which causes death and seizures). Some of the most common allergens in dogs are wheat, corn, beef, and soy (which this food contains).

I recommend a food change. Also, you really should go to the vet...

 

[Maxy24]

well a food change is in order then There are many good foods. Some I can think of now are Canidae, Innova, Evo, California Natural, Timber Wolf Organics and Orijen. There are more but I'm drawing a blank right now so I'm sure others will chime in soon. Also visit Mordy's site http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main

And take a good look at this part of the site http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients

then look at the ingredients of what you are feeding:
Whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, chicken by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soybean meal, brewers rice, meat and bone meal, beef, pearled barley, sugar, sorbitol, fish oil, calcium phosphate, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, sorbic acid (a preservative), dried peas, dried carrots, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, calcium propionate (a preservative), added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, DL-Methionine, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.
G-4037

The first ingredient of a good food should be a specific meat or specific meat meal. You really don't want food with corn or wheat (these are most likely the cause of your dog's food allergies if that is what he has)


These are the foods i mentioned websites
Canidae: http://www.canidae.com/
Innova: http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.asp
EVO: http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp
California Natural (hypo allergenic): http://www.naturapet.com/brands/california-natural.asp
Timber Wolf Organics: http://timberwolforganics.com/
Orijen: http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/orijen/ (a bit hard to find)


Now if you look at the ingredients in those foods what do you notice? MEAT, and that's what canines eat. I would switch food. I would also go to the vet, to make sure it is not something worse. Do you have any pictures of the area you can show us?

I hope this helps, If you want post in the food section about food that is good for allergies and see what answers you get there.

Sorry Jesse we posted at the same time

 

[Spanky22]

if you have a yahoo ID i have pics posted at the link above.
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pet_Chihuahua/photos/view/c86f?b=1

 

[MafiaPrincess]

You'd have to join that group to see it, not just have an id..

 

[Maxy24]

yeah i can't get to the pics. To post pics I go to www.photobucket.com and upload my pics there. Than I click IMG code and it should say copied. Then come here and paste the code. When you submit it it will show up as a picture.

 

[Spanky22]

Oh, ok Thank you. Here they are.

 

[Christin Luvs Dogs]

I have to agree with the others that it is likely that a food change is in order. Another brand would be Royal Canin, they have breed specific formulas. However, there can be many underlying causes for a skin problem and secondary infection is a risk with any hair loss and inflamation. Consider contact allergies such as carpet cleaners/powder, or the like.

Frankly though, Veterinary care is in order. I understand the expense, but skin issues can get out of control fast.

 

[Boemy]

Yeah, I agree, food change. Do you have Costco membership? Their food, Kirklands, has good ingredients (real chicken as the first ingredient, no grains, etc) and is even cheaper than grocery store dog foods. Not the BEST food, but a good one, especially if you're on a budget. And then you can use the money you save to save up for vet visit.

 

[showpug]

Your chi looks to have pyoderma which is a skin infection. It usually comes on secondary to allergy which can be caused by food. I would recommend you seriously consider a healthy diet change for your chi. The healthiest dog foods are usually found at small, idependently owned pet shops...NOT the grocery store or major pet supply stores. Some brands to look into are:

www.eaglepack.com
www.naturapet.com
www.timberwolforganics.com
www.championpetfoods.com
www.naturesvariety.com
www.canidae.com

All of these sites will have a store locater tool where you can find the food near you.

Next, I would recommend you bathe your chi with an antibacterial shampoo at least twice a week. It is vital that the lather have contact with your chi's skin for AT LEAST 15 minutes before rinsing.

Good Luck and remember, change is not over night! Improvement usually takes 6-8 weeks if it is a food related issue.

I forgot to add that flea allergy can also cause the reddness and hair loss your dog has. Does your chi have fleas?

 

[Spanky22]

unfortunately, he does a few fleas. We had some neighbors move in with outside dogs and it seemed like once they did, my poor pups got them. Can anyone suggest something good for use with Chihuahuas? What is a good "flea control" for the yard? Thanks!

 

[showpug]

I would HIGHLY recommend you purchase a pack of the regular Advantage which is very safe. Treat all your dogs ASAP!! You chi could very well have a very serious flea allergy. Also, fleas on chis can be extra dangerous because of their small body. The fleas can cause a chi to become anemic quickly. It is also important to treat the environment, but I would start with flea control on your dogs right away. As long as your dog has Advantage on, he won't have fleas or be bitten by them. Whatever you do, DON'T buy flea control from the grocery store or pet store etc. Get something safe that the vet can recommend. Advantage you can buy online and in some pet stores.

I would switch the food too!

 

[OutlineACDs]

It could be demodectic mange, in which case this can be genetic (as in the parents of this pup shouldn't be bred again, nor should he) or it could clear up on its own. A red, scaly rash is characteristic of demodectic mange. You have to have a skin scraping done by a vet to determine if it is demodectic mange though.