15 month old Golden Retriever skin/hair problem

Question
QUESTION: Our 15 month Golden has developed two area on both her hind quarters just above the "knee". The areas are about 1 x 2 inches. She has alos developed a much lager, and similar area on her lower side. The skin in each case has turned a darkish color. She is also developing another area where the hip and side meet and, like the others started, it is a normal pink color with 3-4 small reddish "bumps/spots". The thyroid test proved normal and she is fed Canidae Lamb and Rice formula. She gets 3-4 miles of walking everyday and lots of ball retrieving. She is lively with lots of energy.  Other than gnawing at the hind ares when they first developed she does not seem to be scatching. Can you give any guidance or help?

ANSWER: Have you talked to the breeder you got her from?  Sometimes you need to stick to the same chow as their food sensitive breeding stock does OK on.  The working dogs I am familiar with seem to do fine on any of the comm0on brands.  Yet I am forever reading on the net about dogs where the owner goes through a half dozen different types of chow before finding one that works.  I see no pattern to it.  Unless the breeder has a suggestion, one thing might be as likely to work as the next.  Make sure the breeder know about the trouble.  My feeling is that food sensitive dogs should be spayed, not bred.

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QUESTION: She has been fed dry Canidae for at least 9 months but the skin problem only developed 3 weeks ago so I don't think it is food change related. Skin scrapings revealed no surface mites etc. She is scheduled for a 600-800 dollar (high-low estimate by our vet)skin biopsy in two weeks. Surely our Molly is not the first Golden to have this problem...... Please help

Answer
Canidae has recently changed their formula.  Could the problem have started after starting a new bag?  I hate to see you forced to try different chows which may or may not help, or spend $800 on the biopsy.    Although I read about many Goldens having such problems, I don't see them in real life or know much about treating them.  That is part of the reason I suggest taking medical problems to your vet.  Be sure and mention the forumla change to your vet.