In one of the posts i read here it was mentioned that plastic food bins could be a problem…i use one, guess i’ll stop that too! I can’t afford allergy testing so hopefully the change in diet will work. We’re going to try Solid Gold Wolf King. The vet said to give it about 8 weeks to notice a difference.

I want to end this for him, he is the sweetest, most good natured fellow and don’t want this constant itching to interfere with his great temperment. I just want him to feel better.

Thanks, Rachelle

Trace,
While it is normal for dogs to fast on occassion, if your dog is getting so thin that you can see her bones you should most definetely change your vet. Your dog may have worms or suffer from some other medical condition. While it could be as simple as her not liking her food at all….if you’ve changed her diet and she does not respond there is likely something else going on. Don’t buy the cheap grocery chain foods, there is hardly any nutritional value for the animal in them. If you wouldn’t feed your child Kraft Dinner or white buns solely every night why do it with your dog. Always check the ingredients labels, if some kind of meat is not listed as the very first ingredient - forget it (i.e. if its corn meal, wheat, or even any kind of meat MEAL - it’s garbage…meal means the left overs - cow hoofs, feathers, teeth, fat, etc. Although better than chicken by-product meal, chicken meal is generally a lesser quality of protein source than chicken meat.)

What you might be able to try is a raw food diet - there are lots of website available to help you meet your dog’s nutritional needs (a large shepherd needs about 1 lb of meat per day). It is not necessarily any more expensive or much more work than the conventional Kibbles diet. You can buy big quantities of ground beef, pork, chicken or bison and mix them with a variety of cooked veggies, dairy and vitamins. Then freeze for later consumption. If your pup does not like the raw meat you can brown it slightly before serving it….she should be bulking up in no time. Feed at least 2 a day, if possible 3 times per day….some vets tell you different, but I’ve had shepherds all my life and my friend runs a working dog training centre and kennel - we do have experience with these animals.

A raw food diet will generally help with any food allergy problems as well because you control what your dog puts into his system. However, if this is not an option right now there are plenty of dog foods that are HYPOALLERGETIC - they are generally sold at your veterinarian.

P.S. Dogs should have hard foods in order to keep their teeth clean. If you have to feed a softer food ensure you more commonly carefully scrape off the plague that starts to accumulate around the gum lines and particular their back teeth once or twice per month at least. All this is part of responsible pet ownership even if it’s not easy or fun. Never punish your dog if he shows fear, just reassure him and gently persuade him to do as you say with patience, love and treats.

My 10 month old German shepherd has been having skin problems so the past days. We comb her at least everyday because her her constant shedding. We recently bought a special comb that combs her hair and cut it in the same time. It works great! But after that day we used that special comb she been constantly bitting/scratching the back of her body/legs. I’ve been very worried these past few days cause she wont stop. i also check if she had any ticks or fleas and there are none. So i’m not sure whats wrong! Please help! Is there anyways we can help her without taking her to the vet? My mom is not a fan of dogs and i am the only one keeping her in this house. she doesn’t want to waste money on the dog for a check up. Please help! i am so worried i love her so much. i don’t want her to be suffering!

Thank you for your time!
Please respond ASAP!

-Leah

Just an idea for all of you. My German Shepherd had skin problems since I got him at 7 mos old. He had constant ear infections and was ALWAYS scratching and biting himself. He had red bumps all over his skin particularly the insides of his hind legs and the skin that doesn’t have fur on it. it was also on his arms. He was treated by the vet with antibiotic…it cleared up and came back. Then we tried a cortizone injection for allergies…..it worked for a week.

Finally, I said forget the vet and I contacted the breeder who told me to switch to Innova dog food. It worked wonders. Ears are all cleared up, no more bumps on his skin.

He had some type of food allergy and I saved myself a lot of money from testing and my dog alot of trouble with blood tests.

If your situation sounds similar….GIVA INNOVA A TRY!!!!

Been to the vets, tried everything, injections, skin treatments, natural herbal treatments etc etc. The cost has been unbelievable.

I’ve been told it is a reaction to an allergy but what that allergy is nobody seems to know. I do feel for my boy, I can’t seem to help him and he just accepts it, never making it obvious that he is suffering.

If there is anyone who can give me advice on how to treat this condition please get in touch.

To make matters worse (and far more expensive), she developed sudden huge cysts requiring emergency surgery both in March and May. In neither case did treating vet (at respected animal hospital in Northern VA) see anything else out of ordinary. She was treated both times with antibiotics to prevent infection. Total cost for 2 surgeries (nearly $4,000). We can no longer afford expensive vet treatment.

My regular vet recommends a dermatologist, but I am certain it will cost at least $400 for visit and testing.

The suddeness of all of these incidents suggests that there are some lines to be connected, even though the cysts would seem unrelated to skin deterioration.

Today, in the Washington Post, (1/31/08), a letter to the Animal Doctor column (Michael Fox) described a 6 yr.old GS with similar problems and after 3 yrs. of increasing skin and digestive problems she was diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency. Writer couldn’t afford $160/mo med (Viokase) but found on Internet Prozyme ($22) which has been a successful Rx. Unfortunately, this article so far is only in the print not online edition of WP. I recommend Dr. Fox’s website which has rather ominous info about dietary problems leading to symptoms described above as well as pancreatic, liver, and immune disorders related to processed dog food.

I plan to try extreme diet change: make own dog food and supply vitamin supplements.

Another vet forum I found echoed many of these problems/ideas and also pointed to storage of dog food in plastic bins/sacks as a potential problem - something I had started doing a year ago but now intend to stop.

Fox raises some startling questions/issues about processed dog food that should be discussed. I look forward to hearing more at this site, and good luck to all of you. As I’m sure you all are, I am worried sick about my dog’s health. I have owned dogs for nearly forty years (mutts and standard poodles) - this is my first shep and words can’t express my love for her.

His overall hair and skin condition is maintained and the vets say he’s in good condition for his age.

We’ve tried a number of regular treatments over the years like injections, the ear flush, the medicated drops. But always this infection returns and I fear having his ears flushed is costly and traumatic for him.

We haven’t gone down the herbal path until quite recently. He’s having an epi-soothe oatmeal bath this Monday and we’ll get the natural shampoo again, but we really want a solution thats easy to use and effective.

He’s a bit sensitive so it’s hard to use natural things like olive oil or vinegar to clean his ears, we’re worried it might be too painful and he doesn’t want to keep still, which is why we’ve sometimes gone with the ear flush with him under the anaesthecia and not present

Can you suggest something, his ears are like gray dirt on the inside and so clogged, and we know he’s not only uncomfortable but in pain now and we’re worried.

Thanks,
Petrice and Brian for Buddy Dog

I have been to the vets and she doesnt know what is causing this, has anyone heard about or experienced this problem.

Thanks

Thank you
Trynia