Balding on HIND LEGS! HELP!

[haylotx85]

Scout went to the vet today to be neutered and to have the vet take a look at his legs. He said he thought it was a skin allergy and gave him a shot that was kind of like a cortisone shot. He said if this clear it up we will know that it is the allergy. If this turns out to be the case he said we would have two options, one being to draw blood and have it tested for any other allergies he may have so we can try to correct the allergy by making him immune to it through a series of shots or option two...just treat the allergy itself with cortisone shots. It could just be a seasonal allergy. He thought it was fleas then the baldness would not only be on his legs.
He had to stay overnight tonight and we sure do miss him. I called and checked on him earlier and they said his surgery went great and we will pick him up at 8am.

[haylotx85]

This is a correction to my last reply

: He said IF it was fleas then the baldness would be in other places then just his legs. Sorry for the typo!

[Novel]

but we did choose Solid Gold for puppies. Has anyone heard anything on this pet food. I read some really great things about it and wanted any feedback you all had to offer.

If I were to recommend a dry kibble it would be Solid Gold Wolf Cub. They also have a new one called Barking at the Moon, I believe. Even more holistic I believe.
Solid Gold is an overall great food, just watch the protein levels. They can be pretty rich!

[haylotx85]

How exactly do I watch the protein levels? The solid gold we are mixing in with his food right now is for puppies. I have noticed since he has been on it that his poops are quite a bit stinkier and they have become more smaller turds (4,5) instead of just a few larger ones.

[Novel]

Originally Posted by haylotx85

How exactly do I watch the protein levels? The solid gold we are mixing in with his food right now is for puppies. I have noticed since he has been on it that his poops are quite a bit stinkier and they have become more smaller turds (4,5) instead of just a few larger ones.

Solid Gold is high in protein, the Bark at the Moon is one of the highest protein kibbles out there. Protein in and of itself is good for your dog, but it directly relates to their growth. Too much protein, especially in a large breed dog, can cause the dog to grow faster than it's joints and bones are prepared for.
With a small breed, there is less to worry about, since there is not as much growth.

When I've fed or supplemented with Solid Gold, I too have noticed that it produces a great deal of gas. That's why if I feed it, it is just as a supplement. I'll mix it with veggies, rice, yogurt, etc... no eggs or raw meat, and that seems to give it a bit more fiber, which equals less gas.

The stool may be a sign that your dog is using more of the food, or digesting more of it, leaving less of it to pass through the system. The lower quality dog foods contain a large amount of filler, which results in large bowel movements.

I feed raw and without actually showing you amounts, I would estimate that the dogs leave about 1/10th the droppings as if they are eating a kibble.

EDIT-- if you want to know the protein content of your food, it is listed near the ingredients. The Whole Dog Journal I believe also compiles a list of protein levels in different dog foods. www.whole-dog-journal.com

[calgal]

Isn't is always the case that the Vets. say it's a "skin" allergy. Of COURSE it's a skin allergy since that's exactly where it's located. They always want to give allergy shots instead of eliminating the source.
It doesn't matter what geographic area you live in, there are always fleas and ticks.

DOGGIE SHAMPOO

[calgal]

i didn't hit post, don't know how this happen. as i was saying.......

doggie shampoo (make as you use)
2 cups water
2 teaspoons liquid castile soap
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon olive oil
5 drops lavender
3 drops peppermint (unless the castile soap is peppermint scented)

combine in plastic bottle and shake mildly to blend. get the dog in the tub. wet the dog down thoroughly. soap up your dog, starting at the head (careful of eyes and nose) and work your way down to the butt. don't forget under the legs and tail. *if you want it to also repel fleas, add 4 drops cedarwood, 3 drops pennyroyal and 5 drops lemongrass oil to the mix.

after shampoo final rinse
1 cup of apple cider vinegar
4 drops lavender oil
3 drops rosemary oil
3 cups of warm water

pour all over and leave in or do a quick rinse.

[igi-man]

Originally Posted by haylotx85

Thanks for the reply!
The breeder had him on Eukanuba puppy chiots so we kepts him on that for the first few months but changed it to the eukanuba natural lamb and rice formula, the first 3 ingredients are lamb, brewers rice, and corn meal (which made his poo poos much more solid and less stinky).

Haley

sounds exactly like my breeder, you should look at the sticky note at dogs health concerns.....i tought eucanuba is good , but it isnt!!

[dogma]

It looks like allergies to me, could be pollens or food. Could be mange or something else. Eucalyptus oil helps repel pests from your dog. Get it a bath store, or a natural foods/healing type store like Whole Foods. I have heard that garlic in the food works, heard garlic is bad for dogs, seen it in pricey foods as an ingredient, so who knows about garlic.