cockapoo smells

Question
QUESTION: My cockapoo has a very distinctive bad smell to her.  My vet says she has allergies, and she's taking Benadryl.  He never did any actual allergy testing; he just saw her red paws (the coloring around her paws has actually turned reddish).  I feed her Iams dry dog food.  Is this a good one?  Also, I read a question session you had with someone else and you had recommended a Vitamin therapy and a zinc trial.  Is this something I can try without taking my dog back to my vet; in other words, can I order it myself?  And what about ordering Douxo, as well.  The smell of my dog is really bad.  She is prone to ear infections, but she does not have one at this time.  I flush her ears every two weeks with ChlorhexiDerm.  I love my dog but her smell is sickening.

ANSWER: Yes, I can help but initially I have a lot of questions.

No, Iams is not at all a good food - in fact, one of the worst.

How long has this odor been noticeable?
Where do you live? (climate)
What shampoo do you use & how often do you bath her?
Is she itchy?  Is she chewing her paws?
How is her skin in general?  Is her coat dry/flaky or oily/greasy?
How old is she?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The odor has gotten really bad this winter though she's probably had a distinctive odor for the last two years.  I live in Northen, NY.  I have a groomer bath her about once every three months.  I bath her at least once a month in between - I was told it's not good to overbath them.  My vet sold me a shampoo, but I'm out and I don't remember what it was.  She definitely chews her paws a lot.  Her skin coat actually looks good though it is a little dry.  If Iams is not good for her what would be a good chow to purchase for her?  Also, last year she got Lyme's disease.  She had a flair up this winter; she actually just finished the medicine she was given.  Could that cause her to smell?

Thanks,
SP

ANSWER: Okay.  Paw chewing is a sure sign of an inhalant allergy.  Go buy some 10 mg. Zyrtec tablets (not gelcaps).
Plain Zyrtec - not Zyrtec-D (you don't want a decongestant).  Look at the ingredient label - it should have one ingredient only - "Ceterizine".

Your vet advised Benadryl.  That's the least effective antihistimine for dogs.  The first day cut one in half and give in the morning.  If all is well - give the other half at night.
If all is still well (it's rare but some dogs get extremely drowsy) - then begin giving her one tablet daily.  Don't expect to see results in a day or so because dogs react much more slowly than humans do.

Also for her paws - get a large pan and fill with half water/half plain white vinegar.  Plunk all 4 paws in, count to five and let her go.  Laundry room or basement where a bit of splash won't hurt anything.  The first day, do this 3 times..then twice a day...then once.

Now for the odor.  Go get some Nizoral shampoo (most supermarkets & drugstores carry this.  It's not hard to find).  SHAKE BOTTLE WELL before use.  Lather her up, leave on 10 minutes.
Take a kitchen timer - it seems endless :).
Rinse extremely well, then rinse more.  Do this every 2nd day for a week...then every 3rd day..then see what she needs to maintain.

Get your groomer to clip her down to a puppy cut - it'll be much easier to dry her.

I know it seems counter productive to bath if you feel she has dry skin but it's not.
Bathing is key and it has to be done often for a few weeks to get the yeast under control.
Nizoral is a favorite of vet Dermatologists because it kills both yeast & bacteria.

Iams is garbage.  Whatever your budget I can recommend far better foods.  If budget isn't a big problem I'd go for Sojo's Complete which is a raw, dehydrated food and excellent for dogs with skin issues.  You simply mix it with water the night before and keep in fridge.  Serve at room temp.  (Just warm slightly in microwave to take the "cold" out).

Ears:  Order the Zymox line of ear products.  They're inexpensive and you'll probably never have to go to the vet again for an ear issue.  Get the cleaner and both their ear meds.  One has 1% hydrocortisone in it which you'll hardly ever use.  The other is hydrocortisone-FREE.
Let me know when you get these and I'll explain how/when to use.  I order from EntirelyPets.com but a lot of sites carry it.

and the reason for the vinegar/water paw dip is that yeast can't survive an acidic environment.

Also - don't freak at the $69 for an 8 lb bag of Sojo's Complete - that 8 lb. bag makes about 50 lbs. of food.  You can also use that plus a premium kibble.

Keep me posted on her progress.  I'm especially interested in her response to the Zyrtec.
I've seen it work really quickly but give it a week.  My own boy has episodes of the paw chewing and this works like a charm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This isn't a question, Delores; it's a thankful.  I immediately sent for the Zymox and the Sojo's Complete.  I picked up the Nizoral shampoo and zyrtec.  She just started the new food today.  She's been on the zyrtec since you wrote me.  The Zymox was quick in coming and she's on her fourth of treatment.  Tonight I will begin the bathing process.  

Thank you so much for your help.  I will keep you posted one her progress.

Answer
I take it you're cleaning with the Zymox cleaner?  Or treating with the hydrocortisone-free med?

If you're using the med, fill canal, massage ear and do NOT clean out the med as you do with the cleaner.  It's supposed to stay in there.

When I find some ear gunk I often will clean for 2 or 3 days in a row because sometimes that does it.  If not, go to the med for a week.  Do NOT clean ears during med treatment.  After a week, clean the ear and see what's happening.  If it's not quite gone, continue another week.
The Hydrocortisone-free med is very safe to use long term.

And with the Sojo's Complete I only add 1 1/2 cups water to 1 cup dry.  I find two cups of water is a bit too soupy.

Please do let me know how it goes.  And if in a week she isn't responding to the Zyrtec, ask your vet for a prescription for Atarak (Hydroxyzine).  You want 25 mg. tablets.
These are the top two antihistimines for dogs and you have a 30-40% chance this will do the trick.

We can up the Zyrtec a bit if you see it's helping but not quite enough.  Do not do this on your own - I need to know her weight and to what extent you see improvement.

Don't forget the water/vinegar paw dip.