Golden Retriever Skin Sore/Shedding

Question
Hello,

I have a Golden that has just turned 7 years old.  Over the past year or so, she has shown what I would call excessive shedding.  At least it seems to be more than previous years.  Also, as of a couple of days ago, she has a sore on her face that is about the size of a dime.  It is not bloody or anything, just looks like an raw tissue that is secreeting clear liquid...Around the sore her hair has hardened with this clear substance...I am not sure what it is, or what to do.  I am wondering if she has developed an allergy to the Eukanuba Adult Low Fat dog food that I have been feeding her for at least the past 5 years?  Could it be something else?  Also, she seems to have more of a "dog odor" than she ever used to...We will give her a bath and within a week or so she has a real deep dog ordor...Maybe this is just me noticing more things...hmmm...Anyway, any suggestions on the skin problem and odor would be great...Any suggesetions on dog food and shampoo for her would also be great...

I appreciate your help and advice...

Best Regards,
Mike V. Kalavitz


Answer
Goldens are very susceptible to pollen/mold allergies.  This is a condition called atopy.  The spot your are seeing on the face is a "hot spot" and is very commonly found in allergic Goldens.  You should wash all of the sticky serum off because that is what burns the skin making it worse.

You should also be bathing the dog in an antibacteria/anti-yeast shampoo for the odor.

Check with your vet to see if there is an allergy that can be treated with some steroids or if there is a food intolerance.  That will require a diet change to a special food for 6 -12 weeks.  

Also, older Goldens are prone to hypothyroidism, which causes thinning of the hair and skin infections. So ask your vet to test your dog for hypothyroidism.