I have been reading forever it seems and cant find anything I havent tried. I have a Weimeriener/Lab mix, about 9 years old suffering from red intchy skin. She has been to the vet, who said she was allergic to fleas. They gave her a shot, I believe it was cortizone, which helped tremedously, but now in the midst of winter with no signs of fleas, she has started itching again. The worst part is the horendous yeasty smell. Her coat is greasy looking, but not to the touch. We bath her regularly, recommended by the vet, have not changed her food, she is on Frontline...I need any suggestions possible. She now has no hair on her belly or inside hinds, and has even rubbed her nose bloody raw. I am out of work and can hardly afford to take her to the vet again, but if I cant find relief for her soon I will do what I have to. I love this dog immensely and cant stand to see her miserable. Thanks to anyone with suggestions.

-- Kim Hanson (annie67@swbell.net), February 10, 2002

Answers

The "horrendous smell and oily coat" make me think of a thyriod problem. Should be cheap to test for and the pills to correct are cheap too. If that's the problem, yours would be the worst example I've ever heard of. There are lots of differrent parasites out there maybe you have two problems?

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 10, 2002.

I would try some Happy Jack Kennel Dip. It clears the coat and skin of all itchy things. You might also switch to Revolution, it also gets scabbies on the skin, in addition to the monthly treatment. Maybe she is allergic to the Frontline. Or just dry skin? Is there any bumps? Happy Jack is the best for anything skin related. You can dip her again at 10 days. Makes the hair soft and shiny. Make sure you do it exactly as the directions say.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), February 10, 2002.

Years ago I had a male of the same mix and a simular problem, I cured it with human body lice shampoo and a better mix of minerals via table scraps with free choise dry food.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 10, 2002.

I agree with switching from Frontline. My dog did the same thing yours is doing and switching to another treatment cleared it up like magic. Ask your vet about documented allergic reactions with Frontline - I'm pretty sure this is one of them.

Good luck!

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), February 10, 2002.

Benadryl, or the generic version of this medicine, will ease the itching. The other symptoms will still need to be addressed. If you are in a financial bind, e-mail me. We have a company in town that makes the stuff, and I can get it at the outlet store for 25 cents a box. Also, keep up on the Frontline stuff. One flea bite can cause a big setback.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

I to had a 16 year old that i gave frontline too for over a year.It didnt work.i started to cook real ground meat and white rice with cheap canned vegs.Lots of garlic.Now i feed half dry and half cooked food for my dogs with a lot of grease in there food.the coats are beautiful on all three dogs ,no fleas,no parisites.Remember that dry food does not have enough grease in it.Also to much garbage in it for good health.the meat and rice poured over bread is a complete food.Try it for awhile,then go back to half and half.MY dog realy suffered before i took matters in my own hands.good luck

-- shirley kelsoe (farout96@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

You probably won't like my remedy but used motor oil will cure just about any skin problem on a dog. Just rub it in good all over and see if this doesn't help. Sometimes it makes most of the hair come out but it will come back shinny and pretty. The frontline stuff probably should be discontinued also.

-- Don (hihilldon@yahoo.com), February 10, 2002.

As someone mentioned above, you can give Benadryl (or the generic) to help ease the itching. Our dog is about 60 lbs and we can give her 2 pills twice a day. I would also question bathing her often. Her skin may be getting too dry which is just causing more itching. What kind of dog shampoo are you using? We found that an oatmeal shampoo helped our dog the most.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), February 10, 2002.

Dear Kim and poor itchy Dog,

Our Lab/shepherd had a similar problem. The vet did not know what caused it. We used a lot of Sulphodene which helped, but the itching and hair falling out would come back. One day, while at the vet for Teddy's yearly check-up, we mentioned the problem to the dog groomer who worked there. She said her German shepherd had had that problem. She changed it's food to Purina ONE (dry). We did the same and he never had the problem again! Seems dogs can be allergic to some dog foods. Hope this helps. Ann

-- AnnAnn K ) (ann1956ann@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

Ross, a blood test will eliminate many possibilities. Like Ross mentioned it does sound like Thyroid, Blood tests will also tell you if there are allergies and just what the dog is allergic to. Diagnose first, then treat. Good luck, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 10, 2002.

the yeasty smell and all other signs sounds like mite mange. does he have elephant looking skin on the elbows?. did your vet scrape the skin and look for these?we had the same problem with a stray.thats what it turned out to be. good luck cody

-- cody (urbusted@alltel.net), February 10, 2002.

Some things that have worked for my dogs-

1- Lambert-Kay Medi-Kleen shampoo. No other medicated shampoo has ever relieved itching better than this one.

2- Switching dog food. My old dog doesn't have any allergy problems with Purina(Dog Chow or O.N.E.) or Pedigree dry.

3- Sea-water. I had one dog that was chewing herself raw over her back, hips and base of her tail. I made her swim in the ocean and like magic her itching stopped. I didn't have a clue that it would help her skin. I don't live near the ocean so I've never had the chance to try it on any other dog. Maybe it was just a fluke?

I hope you can find something to work for your old girl, it's awful to not be able to make them feel better.

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), February 13, 2002.

Oh boy, this is gonna sound really weird, but, I am here to tell you it works and works good! Give the dog Fish oil capsules. You can get them anywhere, start with 3 a day, and after about 1 week, go to two, and then as you see progress, go to one, etc. I worked for a vet that tried this on my dog, and then on several others, and it works!! Works for cats, goats etc. Doesn't hurt any animals at all. Try it. In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), February 13, 2002.

Get some Omega 3 fatty acid tablets. You need to give them to them once a day forever. I had the same problem with my dog and they did the same thing you are taling about. (shots) I changed to Science Diet sensitve skin and give 1 capsule of Omega 3 fatty acids and have not had a problem since. It takes about a week before you notice any change but don't forget to give him the pill every day..

-- Jeff (Jeff@jeff.com), February 13, 2002.

I seem to have the same problem with several dogs in my kennel, first thought it was red mange, but so many of them seem the have itchy skin and hair loss that now i think not. I recently read a post that a natural cures for head lice was vinegar, figured it couldn't hurt so i tried it. Seems to be working.

-- ken donell, tx (puppypalooza98@netscape.net), February 14, 2002.