Cocker Spaniel Sensitive Skin

Question
Dear Delores,  

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my previous question.  I have ordered the Nzymes as I will try anything at this point to get to the bottom of the itchy skin problem. It sure sounded pretty good to me.   I bought the oatmeal for the baths, we just completed one.  Wow he wanted out but we made it. lol I also bought the new food Canidae canned and dry,  I want to try mixing a little dry with the canned.  He absolutely loved it and was excited to eat it, he has been hesitant to eat his other food lately. I think he thinks it's kitty food because it is moist. He  always wants the kitty food.  I also bought the Canidae pet treats too. Do you recommend any others?

Okay the loose stool problem.  I had to go back to my records and check on this.  It was 2 months ago, I lost a month I guess, The vets insisted on a stool sample :( so I brought in what I could, a paper towel with a bunch of brown water, I don't really think they could test it but I was charged just the same. I have VPI pet insurance and the explanation of benefits says Enteritis treatment,  my mistake of it being a parasite (sorry). They treated it with Panacur and antibotic, second time for this in the last year.

We will also  try the white vinegar and water dips too, can I also just use a spray bottle on his paws when I see him licking too much? I usually have a bottle handy.

Buddy's skin looks good to us, not dry, not flaky, not oily and no odor either.  It really looks good.

As far as the shampoo I'm sure it is not the best for lack of knowledge on the best shampoo to use.  I have been using My Pet's Friend Deep Clean Shampoo... ingredients... Deionized water, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, cocomido propyl betaine, cocomide DEA, glycol Distearate, hydrolyzed protein, sodium chloride, polyquaternium 7, citric acid, fragrance, very gentle.  He seems to itch less when I use that then when he comes home from being groomed,not sure what they use.  I will try the Selsun Blue.  Thank you for the suggestion. The heat has dropped about 20 degrees with the humidity and he seems to be a lot better but he is still licking ONE front paw a lot, the others not so much. I do rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse more as I have read that needs to be done. I feel I am rinsing enough.

I asked the vet about putting the Mometamax on his paws as he is licking them, they said put it on and take him for a 20 minute walk and I was doing that but I still didn't like using it. He would be fine after that.

I am hoping that change in diet will be a big help to Buddy.
It is very stressful for him and to me to see him constantly licking and being so uncomfortable.

I will continue to read all question asked and answered as I may learn a thing or two from them.

Many Many Thanks for your help,  You are a True Blessing.  God Bless You!  Sharon

Answer
Sharon, I've found the best approach to loose stool is a couple of days of scrambled egg and overcooked white rice doled out in multiple small meals.

I'm glad you're switching to a good food and it seems Buddy is enthusiastic :)  Take it slow - increase new food over a few days.

Don't spray the water & vinegar on his paws - they must be dipped 'till soaked.  I suggest doing it outside. That's for the yeast - the oatmeal soak will alleviate the itching. And the vinegar actually helps with itching too.

Next groom - take your own shampoo since theirs seems to create a reaction.

This is a first attempt to get Buddy comfortable so let me know how successful the oatmeal soak is - do it daily on his paws.
Did you get Aveeno or a generic?

I have other helpful things but let's see what this does.
And I wouldn't use the Mometamax where he can lick it.

And just use the Selsun Blue on his paws - leave on for 5 minutes and rinse like crazy.  But see what the oatmeal soak & mid-day vinegar soak does first.

Let me know.
Delores