Hello, new cocker friends!
I am writing for advice and suggestions about my Zu's skin. ZuZu, my 5 year old blonde, has developed scaly spots on her back and neck. Although she does not appear bothered by them (she doesn't scratch them or chew) the spots develop scales and then form scabs. I have done the following with respect to treatment: I have taken her to the doctor and it was suggested that she have allergies. I was told to treat with Benadryl if she becomes itchy and we began her on Comfortis to help alleviate any flea dermititis. I was also told to bathe her with oatmeal shampoo and let it sit on her skin for a bit before rinsing. I also heard that fish oil may help so I have added that as well. The spots on her back reduced but she still had it on her neck and the base of her tail. I took her to a groomer who used T-Gel or some sort of tar shampoo and we noticed an immediate improvement but about four days later, the raised black scabs returned along with dry skin spots. She itched and itched and was miserable. I took her to the vet again and he gave her a cortizone shot. Told me NEVER to use a tar-based soap again on her and to treat with Benadryl again. It seemed that the spots never went away and now, I returned from the groomer today and her back, neck and rump are covered with black scabs that flake off and look like black crust. The groomer has never seen this on any other cockers, the vet didn't know what the spots were and I thought maybe some expericenced cocker parents could offer some advice.
I understand that there are allergies that can be related to diet and researched her food and made changes to a gluten-free pet food. So far, she is on a gluten-free slamon based dog food, she is bathed in oatmeal shampoo. I did try a aloe and tea-tree shampoo to see if that would help but it seemed to make it worse so I am back on oatmeal. There is no odor and the spots have been tested and yeast infection was ruled out. In addition, it's not flea dermititis and she is in good health otherwise. This is my second cocker so I (thought anyway) that I knew what to look for about yeast infections, etc.
Thanks for your input
Sandi
(new to the group- I tried to post a pic of my Boo but there was an error- maybe next time)
I am writing for advice and suggestions about my Zu's skin. ZuZu, my 5 year old blonde, has developed scaly spots on her back and neck. Although she does not appear bothered by them (she doesn't scratch them or chew) the spots develop scales and then form scabs. I have done the following with respect to treatment: I have taken her to the doctor and it was suggested that she have allergies. I was told to treat with Benadryl if she becomes itchy and we began her on Comfortis to help alleviate any flea dermititis. I was also told to bathe her with oatmeal shampoo and let it sit on her skin for a bit before rinsing. I also heard that fish oil may help so I have added that as well. The spots on her back reduced but she still had it on her neck and the base of her tail. I took her to a groomer who used T-Gel or some sort of tar shampoo and we noticed an immediate improvement but about four days later, the raised black scabs returned along with dry skin spots. She itched and itched and was miserable. I took her to the vet again and he gave her a cortizone shot. Told me NEVER to use a tar-based soap again on her and to treat with Benadryl again. It seemed that the spots never went away and now, I returned from the groomer today and her back, neck and rump are covered with black scabs that flake off and look like black crust. The groomer has never seen this on any other cockers, the vet didn't know what the spots were and I thought maybe some expericenced cocker parents could offer some advice.
I understand that there are allergies that can be related to diet and researched her food and made changes to a gluten-free pet food. So far, she is on a gluten-free slamon based dog food, she is bathed in oatmeal shampoo. I did try a aloe and tea-tree shampoo to see if that would help but it seemed to make it worse so I am back on oatmeal. There is no odor and the spots have been tested and yeast infection was ruled out. In addition, it's not flea dermititis and she is in good health otherwise. This is my second cocker so I (thought anyway) that I knew what to look for about yeast infections, etc.
Thanks for your input
Sandi
(new to the group- I tried to post a pic of my Boo but there was an error- maybe next time)
