Skin disorder in 11 year old german shepard.
By Loriro
@Loriro (1)
United States
November 14, 2006 12:34pm CST
Katie has this skin problem that she seems to get every spring and fall. She has been back and forth to the vets many times without success. They have tried flea spary and prevention. Antibiotics for skin infection possible from flea bites, lotions and shampoos but to no avail. She smells so bad it is terrible it is like a yeasty smell. She bites herself til there is no fur around her back legs, tail and front paws. She rubs against trees and bushes until she is raw. when she sakes dander and fur fly all over the place. She seems ti itch all the time and gets these little black scab like scabs all over. We are desprate do you have and suggestions. One of my co-wokers has a male shepard about 12 years old doing the same thing! Her vet hasn't been able to pin it down either. HELP!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@tater03 (1765)
• United States
14 Nov 06
Have they checked for allergic reactions to food and the other big one is grass. My sister in law had a dog that had the same problem as yours and it was because of a certain ingredient that is in a lot of dog foods. They had to go to a special dog food and it seems to have helped. I would mention this if you already have not.
@wsamboer (186)
• South Africa
14 Nov 06
As a previous German Shepherd owner myself, and also having bred them at one stage I can but only make suggestions about my own dog experience. Your dog Katie's condition can be as a result of a certain type of allergy, which is caused by certain plant species evident in some areas only in certain seasons. It could also be due to allergic reactions caused by some dog shampoos. It can be of course attributed to anything we don’t know.
Maybe you will have to either try placing Katie in another location in those seasons that she gets affected in your area where you now live. Or maybe you need to move to another Town or State, if Katie will allow. Also try taking her to the beach and let her bath in the seawater, it’s fantastic for the dog’s coat. (If you live near to the coast) and change her food. Try anything of sorts. Cod Liver oil is also great esp. in colder seasons; one-teaspoon say twice or three times a week or so is very good and healthy for the coat as well.
I hope you get help. Good luck.
@tater03 (1765)
• United States
14 Nov 06
Have they checked for allergic reactions to food and the other big one is grass. My sister in law had a dog that had the same problem as yours and it was because of a certain ingredient that is in a lot of dog foods. They had to go to a special dog food and it seems to have helped. I would mention this if you already have not.
@Katy238 (1028)
• United States
14 Nov 06
I can offer a remedie. I use Tea tree oil instead of Frontline and it seems to work on my boxer. Get some tea tree oil from your local WalMart. It is about $5 a bottle and it works well. Worth a shot and let me know if it works.
@krizz420 (4385)
• Canada
14 Nov 06
Im sorry to hear this but never experienced it with any of my pets though. My girlfriend had a shepard that did the samething but she had to put it down. I hope to god you wont have to do this to your dog. I just wanted to reply and say sorry to hear your pet is sick.
