Skin condition please help

[Barbiegodman]

Hi this is my first post on here but am trying to see if I can find out what wrong with my pup.
As far as I'm aware he is a dogue de Bordeaux but can not guarantee this as I got given him as he was neglected, later I found out he was only 7 weeks old but any way when I got him he had no hair on his body and very dry flakey kind of cradle cap like skin. I obviously took him to the vets as soon as they were open. I have been many times but they still have no idea what it is. He is now 18 weeks old he now has hair but his skin is still very flakey, he has had scrapings taken but found nothing. The vet doesn't know what it is so can not treat it but can only try to manage it with twice weekly medicated shampoo.
Does anyone know what this could be ?
Or ever experienced it?
I have searched the Internet but all that comes up is mites I know for sure the is not the case as he has been treated for mites and fleas every month since we have had him! Plus our older dog being a rotty has not caught any thing.

 

[musicdeb]

What are you feeding him? Mastiffs tend to be allergic to grain and chicken in kibble. Poor little guy. Titan had horrible skin due to the kibble.

Washing him twice weekly can also make the condition worse because you're drying out the skin. Been there...done that...

I finally made the decision to feed Titan raw diet and his skin is finally clear of all skin conditions after 14 month on raw. It's a slow process.

The vet will prescribe antibiotics (can make the condition worse) and steroids (should only use when no other option). Been there...done that...

Keep us posted

 

[Barbiegodman]

The vet at one point did think it could be an allergy, but said that the food I was feeding at the time was good quality and that I should make sure he didn't eat anything else but this made no difference. It's also trying to figure out what it is they are allergic too

I am although glad to hear that someone else has had a similar experience, as I can find nothing else other than mites.

The problem with the shampooing is that if I don't he gets very big flakes coming off. The vet did tell me that the shampoo shouldn't dry him out as I raised this concern with him. It is a oatmeal based shampoo and I have to level it on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

What is the raw diet I have heard a lot of people talking about it but I don't really know what it is?
If it helped your dog I am up for trying anything as the vet can't really help me any further. Although he is still there very regular so the vet can keep an ye on it !

 

[Barbiegodman]

Sorry he's on a complete dried food with half a tin of meat on it twice aday I believe it's a pets at home own brand!

 

[musicdeb]

No disrespect but vets do not have a clue about dog food. What are you feeding the pup? Vets push whatever food the food company is paying them to push, i.e. Science diet.

Do a forum search for raw diet, raw food, raw. Lots of info on the forum about raw diet.

 

[musicdeb]

Sorry he's on a complete dried food with half a tin of meat on it twice aday I believe it's a pets at home own brand!

You were typing as I was typing. What is the brand of food? Does it have grain and chicken in it? What kind of tin meat? Are you in the UK?

 

[Barbiegodman]

Yeah I know they do. The problem is I just don't know where to start.
I will defiantly search and try the raw diet.
Luckily enough we are managing it pretty well but I would rather him not have it forever as he's so young, he deserves the best

 

[Barbiegodman]

I sure am in the uk I will have to check the grain and chicken does this make a difference ?
The tinned meat is just complete dog food in gravy

 

[musicdeb]

Yes, mastiffs are allergic to chicken and grain in dog food. If it has it, that's probably why he has skin issues.

When you start the raw diet, you have to either do it cold turkey or slow transition. I did cold turkey with Titan.

Once you've searched the forum and you have further questions, post the questions and you'll get lots of replies.

I will say raw diet is not for everyone and if you prefer to feed kibble, be sure it's chicken and grain free. This also means his treats and other food(s) have to be chicken and grain free.

However, most mastiffs are not allergic to chicken when fed in the raw diet.

 

[Iymala]

Some dogs do have issues with chicken (check for chicken meal, chicken, chicken fat, chicken cartilidge, poultry meal, animal byproducts, chicken byproducts, etc) and Corn (corn gluten, meal, etc) and Wheat (what gluten). A good grain free and chicken free kibble would be a good place to start. This would at least help you narrow down if the issue is good related or enviromental. I am not sure what is available to you in the UK or I would give you specific examples.

 

[musicdeb]

You need to check all of his food that you are feeding him to see if there is chicken or grain. Even the can dog food can have grains.

 

[Barbiegodman]

Thank you that is great advice
Ill research the raw diet before I give it ago and in the mean time ill take a trip to the pet shop and get a food without the chicken and grain
Thanks again !

 

[musicdeb]

Keep us posted on the pup's condition.

 

[musicdeb]

Do you have a pic of the pup? What is the pup's name?

 

[Barbiegodman]

I sure will I'm hoping ill be able to get him sorted soon, although he is a million times better than when we got him.
His name is wait for it .... Hooch
I do have 100s of pics but Ive yet to try and upload any to here

 

[musicdeb]

Hooch...that's cool. Can't wait to see pics. You can add pics to the messages. Click the picture icon and you can choose what file to find the pic.

 

[Barbiegodman]

Just been looking on amazon found quite a few foods that say wheat and gluten free but many of them are for working dogs which is a bit rubbish

 

[Barbiegodman]

 

[Iymala]

You can still feed a food that is advertised for a working breed. That is normally just marketing on the primary demographic that would be interested in such a food. For instance I feed a high calorie, high protein, grain free food... they could market it for "performance" or "working", but that would not change the fact that it has the nutrients in it that I am looking for.

If you do go with a food that is more nutrient dense, start with the recommended feeding guidelines suggested by the food and then adjust based on body condition. You may end up feeding less than you are currently feeding and that is ok. The more digestible and healthy the food is without fillers, the less you will end up feeding..

 

[Iymala]

Sorry, I just saw how old he is.

Make sure your food is anywhere between 1.2%-1.6% calcium and 1% - 1.3% phosphorus. You do not want too many minerals in the puppies diet as it can lead to growth disorders in giant breeds.