Dog Hot Spots & pH

Question
QUESTION: What should a ShiTzu's pH be?  Could a high or low alkalinity level cause skin problems, such as hot spots?  She is eating "Solid Gold" for adults; she is one year old.

Also, our little dog has been barfing up bile every morning for weeks.  We don't know if it's caused by all the strange things she likes to eat, such as lint and small leaves off the ground.  Giving her food before bedtime has helped.

Any thoughts?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Which solid gold formula is she on? She could have a grain allergy, among other things, but I need to know the ingredients in your dog food before going any further. Also if you give her any treats etc?
thanks
Cindi

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QUESTION: Dear Cindi,

She (Diva) is on Solid Gold Hund n Flocker Adult Maintenance food.  Until a few months ago she was on Solid Gold puppy mix.  She gets few treats -- once or twice a day, rarely a small peanut butter bone (home made) or another small treat (package discarded).  Once a week she gets a Greenies dental chew, but that has only been for 5 weeks, and she developed hot spot problems about 10 months ago.  They seemed to go away, but then come back.  Now her skin is sore and itchy, although we control the hot spots with Sulfadene and they seem to go away quickly, then reappear in another location a few days or weeks later.  

We've also tried different shampoos, and she seems to do well with Bio-groom products (a groomer used something else a few weeks ago, and she reacted to it).  

We're also using Bach Flower Remedies prescribed by a canine health practicioner, but she hasn't prescribed for the skin problem.

Any further thoughts?  It is great to have someone to check this out with.  Thank you for your service.

Cheryl

ANSWER: Hi Cheryl
I'm wondering if you shouldn't try her on a completely grain free food? Also if the recipe you are using is lamb (and I think it is if memory serves). I would try using something with a different base meat, like chicken if she's not had problems with that in the past. And grain free,. chemical free. There are several good ones on the market I can reccomend some if you need me to.
I would also put her on omega supplements, vitamin b complex, vitamin c, flax seed oil. Definitely sounds like she might have GERD so I would break her feedings into several small ones per day, make sure she eats a snack just before bed and one as soon as she wakes up in the morning. Half a tums twice per day will not hurt her and very likely will help. What's in your drinking water? Alot of dogs have problems with heavy chemicals in drinking water.
And last but not least, do you have carpet? Does she sleep on a bed? Think about detergents, carpet freshners, fabric softners etc. Honestly I lean more toward something digested, but it could be a contact dermatitis. Is she licking and scratching a lot?
Here's a great source for the omegas and vitamin e supplements. Adding a biotin supplement can't hurt as well
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=329.
Use some tea tree oil to relieve the itching,. bathe her in oatmeal based shampoos and conditioners. Make SURE she gets lots of liquids.
Does she appear nervous and/or stressed?
We'll figure this out, don't worry,
Cindi


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QUESTION: Dear Cindi,

Diva is doing much better on a special food obtained from the vet (potato and venison).  Her hot spots cleared up and her itching has nearly cleared up.  Thank you for your help which sent us looking for this solution.  Also her barfing problem cleared up immediately.  We're going to look into a source for omegas and vitamin e because her coat is not as silky as with the Solid Gold formula, but she feels better and has a lot more energy.

Thank you for your help.

Cheryl

Answer
Try derma caps. You can also give her cod liver oil which is a wonderful source of omegas and vitamin a. Vitamin E supplements will help immensely too. You can use human supplements just do it according to weight. She should also be taking C supplements.
I'm so glad she's doing better. What brand food is she eating out of curiosity?
Cindi