Hair loss and scooting

Question
QUESTION: My 7 month old Cocker Spaniel has recently started loosing a lot of hair, on his tummy, and the back of his back legs. He is constantly sccoting on the floor. I bathe him about once a week, and this is usually because he gets dirty.

ANSWER: He's scooting because he either has impacted anal glands or worms.
Either way, he needs to go to the vet.  Take a stool sample with you.
If it's the anal glands, the vet will simply empty them.  But don't leave this - they can get infected.

You're bathing him far too much and if he gets dirty, use a damp cloth and rub him down.  If his legs or paws get muddy..then just rinse them off with plain water.

Now as for this hair loss, I need more information.
What are you feeding him?  How often?
Is it coming out in the brushing?
Is he itchy?
How does his skin look in these areas?
What is the climate where you are?
What dog shampoo do you use and what's in it?
Do you use flea control and if so, what brand?

Delores

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

QUESTION: I have him on heartguard, and he has been dewormed. He is a house dog, he only goes out to potty, never to play. I am feeding him Nutro(all natural), 1/2 a can and 1/2 cup of dry food in the morning and in the evening. It is in the brush, and all over the bathroom(I haven't bought him a cage yet, so I kennel him in one of the bathrooms when I leave the house. His skin is very red and dry. He is very itchy also. I live in Houston,TX, so some days it might be 70 degrees, and others in might be 40 degrees. I use a conditioning shampoo from Hartz. He is on Advantix.

ANSWER: What do you mean "he's a house dog"?  Surely you walk him?  He desperately needs exercise and a minimum of 2 half-hour walks a day.
How long is he left alone usually?  No exercise is going to lead to health problems - it's a primary need for dogs.

Okay now, re his skin.  I think you should first switch food and cut out kibble entirely.  Nutro is not on anyone's list of premium foods so try Canidae - AvoDerm - Innova EVO - Merrick - Solid Gold.

Go to Canidae.com & find a dealer.  AvoDerm is now sold at PetSmart.
Anyone who carries Canidae will carry the others I mentioned.
 
Hartz products are no good - buy an oatmeal/aloe vera based dog shampoo.  Rinse thoroughly and I mean when you think you've rinsed enough - do it ten more times.  Never hot water.

Buy a box of Aveeno Oatmeal soak - it's in packets of powder and you fill the tub with tepid water - mix in one packet and keep him in there for at least ten minutes.  Do not rinse off.  This doesn't cure anything but will give him relief.

I wouldn't use Advantix - too many dogs have a bad reaction to it.
Switch to Revolution - safer and does heartworm protection too.

Are you willing to buy some supplements for him?  You do need to get him to the vet regarding the anal glands but with the food you're using and no exercise it's not surprising he's developing health issues.

This can go to a very bad place if you don't intervene soon.
When you go to the vet have him check that there are no other parasites causing this - do not let the vet prescribe a steroid (like prednisone).  It's a quick fix which can do damage to his kidneys/liver and when you wean him off it, you're right back where you started.

I can tell you what to give him re supplements and topical treatments and if you're willing to do that then feel free to write me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.
Delores





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

QUESTION: I will email you, I will buy whatever to make him healthy and happy, he is one of my babies. Don't get me wrong, he gets plenty of exercise, I have a 9 and 5 year old, and they have a play room where they play daily, its just that my vet told me to wait until he got older to let him out in the back, but then it got cold here. We take walks in the morning and evening after he eats. He is usually alone for 5-6 hours at the most, but my cousin is living with us now so he is probably alone 1 day out of the week, if at all right now.

Answer
Well, that's a relief, Andrea :)  Dogs need fresh air and exercise and at his age..a LOT of exercise.

Get onto changing his food - cut out the kibble - get those anal glands emptied immediately.  When you switch him to a new food, do it slowly by adding a little more of the new food each day.

Write me directly so we can chat about his skin issues.  Give him the oatmeal soak right away to soothe his skin (Aveeno - comes in a box with packets of powder).
Delores