Cocker Spaniel Allergy Supplements

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I wanted to get some advice regarding a good supplement for my 2 year old female cocker spaniel.  She has had severe food allergies for the past year.  She had dry skin, itching, scratching, ear infections and small bumps on her skin.  Our vet said that she most likely had a food allergy and suggested we try different foods and gave us an antibiotic.  After a lot of trial and error we ended up with Sojos-grain free and we bought Zymox for her ears.  She seems to do really well on that food and the zymox has helped her ears. However, she is still licking her paws and has dry skin on her paws and legs.  Is there a supplement I can give her to help with this problem?  I have heard people talk about Vitamin A and/or fish oil supplements. Any help would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you.

ANSWER: Most likely she doesn't have a food allergy.  That's the problem only about 5 to 7% of the time.

But grain free is good and Zymox is fabulous. Hopefully you're using their cleaner and have both of their meds on hand?

I assume your vet gave you no help re topical approaches?  Before getting into that or supplements I'd like to know more about her coat and skin.
What do the bumps look like?
Are her paws red/irritated between the toes?
Is her coat flaky in general or is this localized?
Does her coat have an odor?
Does it feel greasy?
Where do you live (State)? Climate plays a roll in this.
Delores

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

QUESTION: Hi Delores,
Thanks for responding so quickly.  The vet did not give me anything regarding topical approaches.  Yes I do have the ear cleaner and both of the meds, they were a life saver!

The bumps she used to have were kind of puss filled and/or greasy and used to have a horrible smell to them.  Since the food change that has completely gone away.  Her coat is a little dry but again much better since the food change. She has no other skin problems now except on her paws and legs.

Her paws seem to be what is bothering her the most.  They are red/irritated in between and she licks them.  She has also started biting at her leg and she has some dry skin and what seems to be scabs on them.  I live in Central Texas.  Thanks!

Answer
Re the Zymox meds - the directions are a bit confusing.  The cleaner you use as you would any cleaner but the meds should be put in the canal - massaged - let dog shake head and do NOT clean out the canal.  You can wipe the outer ear flap.

Okay..now re the paws & legs.  I'd bet a lot of money this is yeast - especially since it's summer and you live in Texas.  AND you cut out a ton of carbs in her food and this helped.  That's a big clue.

The first thing I'd try is a soak in tepid water & plain white vinegar (half & half).  If you have an extra bathroom tub not always used...use that.  Or buy a kiddy pool and do it outside.
Fill just so all irritated areas are dipped/soaked. Plunk her in - Count to five and let her out.
You can leave the mix in the tub or wherever and keep using it.

If this works, you'll see an improvement in a matter of days.  Do it 3x a day initially and then taper off.  But with your climate (hot & humid) this is ideal for yeast so you may have to do a dip once a day until the weather changes.

That may do it, Ann.  If not or it's not quite enough - buy some Nizoral shampoo (most drugstores & supermarkets have it).  Shake bottle well - lather up her legs & paws- leave on 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse WELL. When you think you've rinsed enough, do it 5 more times.  Hopefully you have a hand held shower attachment and take the kitchen timer with you..it feels like a LONG time when you're trapped in a shower with a wet cocker :)  (And get between her toes).  The great thing about Nizoral is it kills yeast and bacteria.  The vet Dermatologists love it.

The other food that's grain-free and great is Innova EVO. What you're using sounds great - just alternate proteins.

Anyway, try that - they're not my only suggestions but what I think will work on your girl.

And yes, adding some sunflower oil (one teaspoon daily) to her food may help.  The Vitamin A therapy isn't indicated here.  I'd buy the oil at a health food store.  You can also buy some  "water packed" sardines and mix one sardine into her food daily.  That'll supply the omega 3's.
If she doesn't like fish - let me know and I'll tell you what salmon oil to buy and dosages.

Delores