Our dog is a Black Lab-Springer Spaniel mix. He has dry,...

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Answer by apluvsu
Submitted on 4/22/2006
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I was given a 3 lb long hair chihuahua who was abused. I have spent a fortune in shampoos, creams, sprays, special diets, vitamin e and absolutely NOTHING helped with his dry skin, dandruff like flakes and itching. He would actually pull his hair out on his back rear and gnaw until it would create sores with scabs. Well lo and behold; someone on the net where I play games told me to get Cod Liver Oil so I went to Walmart and got Spring Valley... Purified Fish Oil...Norwegian Cod Liver Oil. It has an orange flavor and my dog loves it. I give him one teaspoon a day by a dropper and he just laps it up. You would not believe the difference. He has no flakes, no dandruff and no itching. He is starting to shed his winter coat and the bald spots where he pulled out his hair is growing back. Thank God I am free at last. Hope this helps all of you and your pets get out of your misery

Answer by boo boo
Submitted on 7/22/2006
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I have a 10 month old Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff), her name is Mariah. She is a beautiful dog and now weighs 100 lbs. About six weeks ago she started itching on the top of her rear end and top of her back. Now, after 4 visits to the vet, $600 less in my pocket, it is worse than ever. Did shin scrapings, came back negative. Gave her antibiotic shots, and pills to take, steroid shots, and medicated baths. He isn't sure what it is. He suggests I take her to a Dermatologist. I changed her food from lg breed Eukunba puppy to Science Diet Lamb and Rice and she eats 2 cans of ID (prescription dog food) a day. Nothing helps. It is horrible looking. We use to go to Pets Mart once a week for socialization. I won't take her now, I get tired of the questions, Whats wrong with her? I need help here!

Answer by boo boo
Submitted on 7/22/2006
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I have a 10 month old Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff), her name is Mariah. She is a beautiful dog and now weighs 100 lbs. About six weeks ago she started itching on the top of her rear end and top of her back. Now, after 4 visits to the vet, $600 less in my pocket, it is worse than ever. Did shin scrapings, came back negative. Gave her antibiotic shots, and pills to take, steroid shots, and medicated baths. He isn't sure what it is. He suggests I take her to a Dermatologist. I changed her food from lg breed Eukunba puppy to Science Diet Lamb and Rice and she eats 2 cans of ID (prescription dog food) a day. Nothing helps. It is horrible looking. We use to go to Pets Mart once a week for socialization. I won't take her now, I get tired of the questions, Whats wrong with her? I need help here!

Answer by saxony
Submitted on 7/23/2006
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Great message board. I have a grand-dog - a mixed Chow - inherited when my daughter died and none of the 'children' could take her. I have found one bare patch - the skin looks fine. Have been told this was happening when their mother had her but I have been daily brushing her and discovered it. Have changed her food now but did use up her less expensive food that was brought when she came.Maybe I will rub some vit E oil on the spot.Any ideas fellow dog lovers? She has gone thru a lot since she was displaced at my daughter's death - grieving, kennels, a small apartment (shut in the bathroom) as she 'went' in the apartment. Well no wonder. She stays outside here, has a concrete and brick doghouse which she uses and we brought in a child's playhouse and bought an evap cooler and she has the run of the yard - and regular hours so her stress level is coming down. Perhaps the patch (just one - is due to stress) I'm sure she had stress at home too with 2 very small grandchildren and an ill mistress.She'sa lovely dog.

Answer by Farah
Submitted on 9/22/2006
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I have a 15 year old Border Collie and Springer Spanerl mix and he has been torchered with this dry,itch, smelly fur and skin. We have tried many many things for my poor dog and nothing seems to work.The biggest place that seems to itch the most is right in the back area near his tail. It has not become red and some what bleeding. Oreo does not like baths and is and outside dog. So its very very hard to give him a bath. I know he is allergic to grass so we try to give him benadryl but thats not enough. Any one have any answers as to what might else help him. I have grown up with him since I was in 5th gade and still remeber picking him out form the pound. He has been loyal and a wonderfull dog. Please help.

Answer by Steve Hansen
Submitted on 11/2/2006
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First of all part of your dog is a Springer Spaniel. A Springer can get the skin conditon called Seborea. Sometimes a black lab can get it too. Seborea is a condition that causes the scales and crusts on the skin. My springer developed that condition. But not as bad. The vet gave her an injection called vetalog to control the itching. That helped alot. I also got shampoo for her by Virbac. The shampoo is called Sebulox. It's supposed to help remove the scales and crusts. But you have to follow the directions. You have to leave the shampoo on your dog for at least 15 minutes after you work up a lather. Virbac has other shampoo's for dry itchy skin. Log onto entirelypets.com to see what shampoo that you might want. My springer is also on thyroid medication. A thyroid can also cause the dry skin. I hope some of my answers help you.

Answer by DEE
Submitted on 11/15/2006
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I too have a 9 lb lil shiztsu her skin was horrible...dry flakey scabby, itchey to the point the dog would pant from bitting. I use RX shampoo..Rx body itch spray...cortizone pills...I have even tried benadryl. well, after 5 years of this I am happy to say that peggy is doing good. twice a day I comb her with a flee comb"she is shaved for hot spots" this removes all dry skin and scabs... I then use hydracortizone cream..pharmacy brand thickly on her back and lower bottem...I then pour baby oil...yes baby oil on her skin and rub it into her. at last a place one of her lil tee shirts on so she can't bite the area. Day 3 all scabs are gone itching has stopped completly !!! We are all sleeping so much better now !!!

Answer by Debbie
Submitted on 3/9/2007
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Actually I was wondering the same thing about whether or not there is a website anywhere that shows the different looks and sizes of this dog. We just got one two days ago and he is 10 weeks old, but his front paws are rather large compared to his back paws which are much smaller in comparison. We had a black lab/wolf combination for 17 years, but he died in our arms on Feb 15, 07 of a massive heart attack due to old age. We aren't trying to replace him by any means, but feel we are ready for another blessing. I am just starting to wonder how big of a blessing it is going to be! LOL The one we just lost was about 90-100 pounds and all heart, so if this one is even close (and I think we are off to a good start), I can't wait for every day to begin. Anyhow, I too would love to see a website with some pictures of all ages and sizes of this mix, so if anyone knows, please let me know also. Thanks so much.

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Question by Kim
Submitted on 7/11/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Canine Allergies FAQ
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Our dog is a Black Lab-Springer Spaniel mix. He has dry, flakey skin on his lower back with patches of dry, sometimes raw (from scratching?) skin minus fur. Also down the inside of his left rear leg. As recomended by the Vet, we feed him Purina HI-Pro; Lamb and Rice formula; dog is also on 50 mg phenobarb, for seizures (3 times daily) and 5 mg Prednezone, for itching (also 3x daily). Nothing seems to work. Have thought possible Thyroid problems.... Any sugestions out there?

Answer by shana
Submitted on 10/3/2003
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I have a border collie who had the same problem. I called our vet and explained the problem to her and her response was to try vitamin e oil and an oatmeal based dog shampoo. It took about a week to see some progress but within a month her skin was cleared up. We still have to repeat the treatment occasionally but it did work for my border collie and it did avoid a very expense vet bill.

Answer by Samson
Submitted on 11/17/2003
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We had our springer tested for allergies. He is allergic to trees and grass. Great news for a dog. We have started him on allergy shots, which so far have not made a difference (about 3 weeks into it now). We are giving him antibiotics to fight the infection he has got form scratching all the time and he is now on vitamin e and getting a weekly bath with medicated shampoo. so far, no results are seeming to work and he is still itching constantly. We have changed his diet to Hills Science diet hypoallergenic food to see if it is maybe food related also.

Answer by Jay
Submitted on 12/5/2003
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I have a 10 year old Springer Spaniel and she also had dry, itchy skin. We went through different low allergen dog foods and steroid shots, but the didn't quite eliminate the problems. My vet suggested a "geriatric" blood test. My dog is slightly anemic and has hypothyroidism. She is now on Soloxin. It's worked wonders and it's like I have a new, younger, and happier dog. No more dry, flaky skin and my dog has much more energy--almost enough to keep up with her one-year old "sister". Good Luck.

Answer by pat
Submitted on 12/22/2003
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I had a Lab Great Dane mix and a Lab, Great Dane and spaniel mix. They both had what I call hot spots. They were itching all the time and had spots that were raw and smelled bad. I started to feed them dog food that I made. I used rice and hamburg (some dogs might need lamb because of a reaction to beef). Into the beef rice mixture I added a Tablespoon of brewers yeast, a clove of fresh garlic and whatever vegetables I had on hand. The Hot Spots went away and the only time they returned was when I stopped feeding with this food.

Answer by amy
Submitted on 1/14/2004
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hello out there . I have a black lab and springer spaniel mix with the same problem only mine is ony 3 months old. Im having a problem because my landlord said if he gets to big we have to get rid of him. Does anyone out there know how big he might get??

Answer by Mike
Submitted on 1/17/2004
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We have a black lab and springer spaniel mix also and he weighs about 95 pounds, so your dog is going to get pretty big. Our dog also has the itch thing. The vet said it would clear up once the weather got colder but it hasn't. The dog is 9 years old and this the first year it has had the itch. WE are going to try the oatmeal shampoo.

Answer by Carole
Submitted on 1/22/2004
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I think the size question depends on the size of the parents of your dog. Our Spanador is from smaller parents so Jess will only be around 40- 50 pounds. Sorry I can't help much with doggie dry skin but I use a humidifier for my cat with dry skin and it helps alot.

Answer by Casey
Submitted on 2/24/2004
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Our dog had itching, and dry, sensitive, raw skin, and loosing hair unmercifully. After much money and many trips to the vet, this is what we found to work: Bathing with Johnsons Baby Shampoo Tsp. of Corn Oil in food Iams Dog Food

Answer by Simplysouthern1
Submitted on 3/27/2004
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I have a 4 yr old Lab/Border Collie mix and every spring he starts with the chewing and scratching. By summers end he has lost much hair and is in misery. I have tried so many things but I do say I will try some of the things I have read here. If anyone has any more ideas please e-mail me at simplysouthern1@msn.com

Answer by Jane
Submitted on 4/28/2004
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We have a 7 year old springer spaniel and black lab mix. This has been an on going battle. Finally, we started giving her vitamins, brewers yeast and lamb and rice meal and she is a different dog. As far as our dog she is only 65lbs and sweet as can be

Answer by Lelaha
Submitted on 5/22/2004
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My dog also lost a lot of fur in patchy itchy patches. She was miserable. She seemed to be aging fast. She is a pure Bred Labrador retriever. Her vet put her on soloxin and the improvement was dramatic.Treatment and Prognosis The dog has to be given the thyroid hormone (Soloxin) in tablet form, on a daily basis. Treatment helps 99% of dogs. The effect of Soloxin can be dramatic. The hair growth is rapid, often returning to near normal in 7 weeks. The prognosis, once the dog has started treatment, is excellent.

Answer by debbie
Submitted on 7/9/2004
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I have a 9 year old female black lab mix. Some summers she gets bad dandruff, (it doesn't seem to itch much, but has an order), and she loses fur in chunks. She has bare patches and the vet doesn't have an answer. I did try an oil food supplement that seemed to work a couple of years ago, but is ineffective this year. I don't think it is flea related. Any ideas?

Answer by rocky
Submitted on 7/13/2004
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Does anyone know of web sites with information/photos of labrador/springer spaniel mix breeds. We have one and he is a GREAT dog. His mother was a springer and father a chocolate lab. He weighs 60lbs. If anyone has photos of theirs or knows where to find breeders, etc. please let me know. We haven't had the itching problem. We feed him Iams and use a conditioning shampoo. Thanks.

Answer by Lady
Submitted on 8/30/2004
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I have a Springer/Black Lab mix and she is about 50 lbs. She is short in height and long in length. She has a lab face and a springer tail, dark color with hints of red, and silky hair. I also have a golden who has the same skin problem. We think she also has a thyroid issue. We put her on med. for it, but then took her off it because we didn't see results in 3 wks., but I guess you have to be patient because it takes about 4-6 wks. to see results.

Answer by Tracey
Submitted on 9/14/2004
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I have a 2 yr old English Toy Spaniel Blk/Tan who started loosing his hair on his neck & stomach at 6 mo. Specialist vets say it is genetic disorder. Now at 2 yrs he is scratching really bad & vet says it is food allergies. Cortizone shots help a lot & melatoin pills but makes him too sleepy. I started cooking him Oatmeal with wheatgerm,proxin,flaxmeal,derm oil & chicken with carrots & apples. The scratching is much better but I am looking for a dry kibble food for convienence. Does anyone know about a good food? please write me at tehagen@aol.com

Answer by Janet
Submitted on 9/27/2004
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My year old black lab/boxer mix began loosing hair from shoulder blade to hip area. She always wanted me to rub as it itched badly. Saleslady in PetsMart told me black labs are notorious for allergies to red food coloring so I tried Nutramax Natural dry food and it cleared up in two weeks. Good luck!

Answer by Gracie's Mom
Submitted on 9/29/2004
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We have a 5 year old black lab/springer female. She's about 60lbs, but a smidge tubby, so I'm thinking her optimum weight is probably about 55 lbs. Gracie has never had skin problems, but our Newfoundland/lab mix did. They cleared up like a charm after we switched his food. I'm not entirely familiar with this website, so I'm going to assume you can't push brand names. Feel free to email me at lizweeks2@hotmail.com and I'll be happy to tell you the brand name and website of the magic-coat-fixing dog food. BY the way, maybe we should set up a Lab/Springer club. They are phenomenal dogs, as sweet as can be and smarter than any dog I've ever met.

Answer by tammy
Submitted on 11/23/2004
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We have a 4.5 year old springer spaniel who also has a skin condition...we have tried everything( other than drugs ) vitamins, conditioners, shampoo, various food for dogs with allergies etc...also tried cod liver oil, olive oil, flax seed oil, omega 3 etc etc, everything seems to help but only after about a month and then lasts only about a month, he is not bothered by his flaky skin (unlike we who are so concerned) NEW problem now ...just a few days ago i spotted many brown rough almost scab like circles on his back has anyone ever seen or heard of this, if so please let me know...

Answer by Coal's Mom
Submitted on 12/7/2004
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I have a black Lab - Rott Mix. He is huge, we have had him for 5 yrs. This past summer he started with the flaky skin. Where do I get the oatmeal shampoo? Is it a brand or something I make at home? I use the Sergent's Sulfadine shampoo and ointment for hot spots, he is clean for a day or two and starts scratching again! He is an indoor dog.

Answer by eric
Submitted on 12/17/2004
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Like Rocky, I had male and female litter mate lab springer mix- black and white ninety pound with freckles and feathers shed alot but they were the most beautiful well mannered dogs but lost both to cancer after eleven years seeking to replace with two of the same and would appreciate referral live in southern calif

Answer by Boden
Submitted on 12/25/2004
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I have a black lab mix. I got her about 4 months ago and she also has dry itchy skin. I've tried different lambs and rice food, the vet gave her shots and said she may be allergic to grass it will get better when it gets cold. I also have her on vitamins. She is starting to get a bare spot on her back end. Someone told me to put a teaspoon of vegetable oil in her food every other day. I'm not sure if this is good for the dogs heart. Has anyone every heard of this?

Answer by taewo
Submitted on 2/18/2005
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I have a lab/boxer mix and she has dandruff real bad. I use 3 400uI vitamin E vitamins, pet store vitamins, and I feed her oatmeal and egg mixed in the morning with dry food and vegetables in the afternoon and a can of salmon at night and she shines like a seal. And I bathe her with a mosturizing shampoo for dogs.

Answer by Hot Shot
Submitted on 4/6/2005
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Hey i have a 6 year old black lab/terrier and he's developed scabs all over his body. Mostly in his armpits and on and in his ear. Does anyone know what this might be and how i can help him

Answer by dolce
Submitted on 5/7/2005
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I have a 13 year old springer mix, male. He used to weigh 80 lbs and have itchy skin and hot spots. I switched his diet to Wellness whitefish and sweet potatoes. And I supplement that diet with DermCaps pills once a day. Over 18 months he has lost 20 lbs and no longer has any skin problems.

Answer by jen
Submitted on 5/17/2005
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I have a chow/border collie cross. She has really dry itchy skin, so much so that she has worn away her bottom front teeth chewing her legs to relieve it. The vet started her on prednisone (an oral corticosteroid) that worked really well for a while, but eventually lost its effectiveness. (Also, corticosteroids all have fairly extreme systemic side effects, like pseudo-diabetes). I've tried everything (the special shampoos, oils in her food, different diet, etc...) and don't know what else to do. I give her Benadryl everyday (more or less) to stop the itching, but its just a band aid. How do I get rid of this for the poor old girl??

Answer by cedarshell
Submitted on 7/25/2005
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Our dog is a 12 year old Spaniel mix. We have tried everything up to and including allergy needles, medicated bath, benadryl steriods. As a last resort our vet has recommend kanagroo meat and oat dog food. Does anyone have any suggestion?

Answer by grmergrl
Submitted on 8/6/2005
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don't feed animals science diet food it is made of animal by products. this means all the stuff we can't eat like beaks feathers bones. what i say is if i wouldn't eat it my dogs wouldn't eat it. also try 1 tablespoon brewers yeast 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 egg and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. it seems to help with everything from seizures to allergies. mix with homemade lamb and rice, beef and rice, chicken and rice, or even fish (tuna) and rice and vegetables. it might seem weird to feed a dog fish but they actually love it. good luck to everyone out there and God bless.

Answer by Karli
Submitted on 8/18/2005
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my dog is black lab/springer mix and she has the itchy problem where she gets sores. i have made her rice with hamburger. it helped for a little while the vet said that it sounded like a thyroid problem and gave her medicine. she has done better but gets them back now and then. what i have done is put bag-balm on her spots and they seem to get better with in a few days. my other dog a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and she gets hot spots where she looses a spot of hair from licking it off...she gets these from time to time and i don't know what to do for her any idea's? thanks

Answer by wilddream
Submitted on 8/27/2005
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We have a 7 yr old white german shepherd who takes phenobarbatol 3 times a day , he also takes one pill of potassium bromide . We read online how it helps the phenobarb work better so he can take less . Our dog also had bad arthritis and is on prednisone so far we haven't found the right amount to give him on that but it sure helped his scratching and licking . We use Canidae dogfood both dry and canned sure made a difference . Good luck with your beloved pet. Wilddream

Answer by Speedy
Submitted on 9/13/2005
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How Much DO You Feed a CHocalte Lab

Answer by bailey
Submitted on 10/12/2005
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i have no answers.ihave a rescue puppy.....about 10 mo. old and everything was going fine until i was talked into nutro max food....it had more protein and his fur was shedding so much i thought it might help...it also had a little less fat. ANYONE OUT THERE. he now has a few skinless areas ..iritated... which he has never before;.

Answer by michelle
Submitted on 11/29/2005
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My golden retriever is 6, and she also has this problem. Her skin is very dry with raw patches and she is miserable and constantly itchy. The vet gave us spray to make her stop itching and it didnt really work. We put vaseline on her to relieve her and it works, but its only temporary. ( plus she wont lick it off because it doesn't taste good ) hopefully it will clear up soon, if not we are in for another trip to the vet.

Answer by mike jorden
Submitted on 12/8/2005
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I have Justine do lab?springer spaniel's hunt

Answer by lml3650
Submitted on 12/10/2005
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vitamin b