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2 year old cocker spaniel with skin problems

Pet Owner Question: I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD COCKER SPANIEL WHO HAS SKIN PROBLEMS. HE IS ON PREDNISONE AND OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENTS. HE HAS GAINED 15 LBS SINCE STARTING ON PREDNISONE.

I HAVE HIM ON DIET FOOD 2 CUPS A DAY, HAVE TRIED TO WEAN THE PREDNISONE AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS RASH APPEARS.

QUESTION IS IS THERE ANYTHING HOLISTIC TO TRY INSTEAD OF THE PREDNISONE THAT WOULD HELP HIM WITH HIS SKIN AND NOT CAUSE HIM TO BE OVERWEIGHT?

THANKS SO MUCH,
KRYSTA
MIDDLETOWN, OH

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2 Responses to “2 year old cocker spaniel with skin problems”

  1. Ask A Pet Pro at VetLocator.com says:

    “First of all, your veterinarian has jumped the gun and prescribed pred. Did they look at blood work for hypothyroidism, allergies, Demodex, fleas, staph hypersensitivity, etc? There is a multitude of things that can be looked at very easily. One should not have to be on Pred, especially during the winter. If you take the animal off pred and they start itching again, then look for the underlying cause. Vets that just prescribe pred do so because they don’t know any better. Look for a good referral vet or someone more up to date on allergies in animals. Also check your food and consider switching to hypoallergenic food. That means NOTHING else goes down your dogs throat for 14 weeks. NO TREATS, Snacks, or even flavored heartworm meds. Good luck.”

    Dr. Kevin Cawood, DVM
    Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital
    Fort Wayne, IN 46814

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    “This is Dr. Mark Helvie in Georgia. Have you pursued diagnostics such as allergy testing? You can now do blood tests to try to figure out what might be going on and help determine if allergy injections are possibly helpful. Like you stated, you hate to be on lifelong Prednisone, so hopefully your vet will have you determine the cause of the problems.”

    Dr. Mark Helvie, DVM
    Dahlonega Veterinary Hospital
    Dahlonega, GA 30533

    —–
    “Are you sure it is an allergy? If it is a food allergy, only avoidance of the offending foodstuff will help. You can consider allergy testing and allergy shots. There are many veterinarians who use herbal therapy for allergic disease. Check the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (www.altvetmed.com), the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (ivasoffice@aol.com) or holistic vet (www.tcvm.com) to find a veterinarian near you.”

    Karen Johnston, DVM
    Hampton Veterinary Hospital
    Speonk, NY 11972

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    Dear Krysta,

    You have two competent and able veterinary dermatologists very near you. Dr. Pat Breen in Cincinnati, OH and Dr. Stephanie Bruner in No. KY. I’m sure either one would be more than happy to help you. I’m just as sure that the prednisone is the cause of the weight gain and, in such a young dog, is not a good idea for the long-term.

    Good Luck,

    Kristan K. Hodges, DVM

    —–

    “Congratulations, as the pred. really does not cure this problem but only masks the problem while producing possible side effects.

    In Homeopathy, ( which treats the whole person or pet ) , we embrace skin problems as it tells us that the unbalance or “disease” in the body is naturally moving out of the body instead of being pushed back into the body with the pred. Typically, most skin problems are an immune issue. This can be addressed by supplements and or homeopathy. They both work very well with each other. It can even be addressed long distance. Yes, diet is another issue. Most dogs are allergic to corn so Bravo to your vet. But with my experience, all the above needs to be addressed. A holistic approach works well. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.”

    Dyanna McCain, DVetHom
    Holistic Animal Healing
    Los Angeles, CA 90064

    —–

    “When prednisone is given on alternate mornings, there are fewer side effects, like weight gain from increased appetite. Talk to your vet about alternate day dosing. Also, ask if there is a veterinary dermatologist that your dog can be referred to. A vet dermatologist will find out the CAUSE of the skin problem and treat that, instead of just treating the symptom of itch.”

    Dr. Ernest Smith, DVM

    —–

    “Do yourself and your dog a favor and contact a veterinarian who specializes in veterinary dermatology. I too own a Cocker Spaniel, and know first hand the difficulty of caring for their skin. I am a veterinarian and a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology. Cockers can have food allergies, atopy, primary seborrhea, etc. One of the very LAST things I ever do is put these dogs on steroids. There are much safer and better ways of handling skin disease in dogs!!”

    Mike Keem, DVM
    Aurora Pet Hospital
    East Aurora, NY 14052

  2. Jen White says:

    have your vet check your dogs thyroid. my 10 year old cocker suffered for several years with skin issues and daily baths and weighs 42.1 lbs. her thyroid was not working. just started medication for her hypothyroidism.

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