New to Globalpaw!!!! Itchy Cocker :(

[eponajo]

Hello, all!!! I hope someone can help me! I have a 19 month old parti-colored Cocker who has been itching terribly since march or so, i have ruled out a flea allergy and am ruling out a food allergy with a salmon and rice diet (about 6 weeks in now) . She looks TERRIBLE! i just wanna cry when i see her, i can't let her in the house shedding like she is. she's lost about 50-60% of her fur and the skin is red, irritated, some is yeasty & moist. i know we can do allergy testing ($$$$!!) and then lifelong serum shots, but we don't have those funds at all right now. i had been bathing her in a shampoo containing tea tree oil, sulfadene shampoo , etc.. with no results.
Does anyone have any ideas for setting up a fund (?) or is there assistance avaliable to help us with the cost of treatment? you might say giving her up to a rescue, but she was my son's 4th birthday gift and he is VERY attached to her! any help would be appreciated!!!

[richnrissa]

The vet is the best bet, there are many other skin ailments other than just allergies you need to rule out too. How long has it been since you changed her diet? it can take time. How long have you been using that shampoo?
Have you tried calling vets/shelters in your area to find low cost vet clinics or asked about payment options shoud it turn out to be a bit *$$* situation? Are you friendly with any employees at your local pet supply/feed store? maybe they will allow you to put up a little jar or something.
Can you have a garage sale or post items for sale on a local board like craigslist?
I know its hard to hear, and you probably know this, but it is NOT ok or fair or even humane to allow her to suffer over money.

[Sweetpea]

Hi Sorry to hear all the problems you are having. I also have a cocker. She had some problems with her skin. She was itchy all the time and had red spots. We started to use Vet solutions shampoo & Conditioner. You can only buy it at a vets office. It's great, it has Aloe & oatmeal. It for sensitive skin. We also changed her to lamb & rice. She is not allowd any people food. We have been very lucky everything seems to have worked. Do you groom your dog often? Bursh & bath & cut? Emma seems to itch when her hair is long when it's hot. We recently had her shaved down. She looks a little funny with little legs but it's better for her. I brush her every day sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. To keep her coat nice. It takes time and a lot of work to keep a nice coat. I hope thing will work out for you keep us posted.

[Boleyn]

Originally Posted by eponajo

i can't let her in the house shedding like she is.

Is she an outside dog? (Not sure I read that right) Could it possibly be an environmental allergy - I know some dogs that have grass and inhalant allergies.

What brand of salmon/rice food is she eating now? Some dogs don't handle fish well, so you might try a lamb and rice food like California Natural. Be careful when looking for a lamb/rice food, inferior brands like Purina and Science Diet still have other protein sources in their L&R foods, which negates the point. A daily spoonful of plain yogurt (like Stoneyfield Farms, that has active cultures) may help the yeast issue.

There is a GREAT shampoo called "Filthy Animal", by Kelco, that is terrific for various itching/yeast issues. It's carried by http://www.petagree.net

I know it would be hard for your son to see her go, but if it gets to the point where she needs more help, it's the kindest thing for her.
GOOD LUCK!!!!

[eponajo]

everyone is so supportive, thank you!! she was an inside dog when this started, then i had to put her out. i have brought her back in, bathed her in sulfodene and started a vegetarian diet. none of the vet clinics will bill you, or take deferred payment. but there is a rescue agency that i am contacting about financial assistance, but i'm afraid we won't qualify. i am an arbonne consultant and am going to hold some on and offline presentations solely to raise money for her treatments. would anyone be interested in this?? than you agian!