really bad skin

kirvine · Old Hand

really bad skin

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Kim, lots of people including me use Arden Grange which is low protein and free of chemicals etc but it is quite pricey.
You'll find it on the internet and there is a rep who delivers bags in bulk and is very helpful.
Mason also had quite bad dandruff at first, adapting to central heating in the home etc can affect things. I give him a tin of sardines in tomato sauce twice a week mixed in with his dry food and it has done wonders for his coat. Give Gus time to settle down in the home, he'll be shedding as well just now as his winter coat comes in.
Marie

kirvine · Old Hand

im quite happy to pay a bit more and have a nice healthy happy dog with good coat and skin

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Check out the postings in diet and nutrition on Arden Grange and also on skin conditions, you'll see its a common thing for greyhounds coming out of kennel/other situations into the home environment. I can give you the AG rep Jim Millar's mobile if you want it.
Marie

max · Enlightened One

You may find helpful is to give Gus a bath, do not know how he will react to it but you will find a vast improvement because you are getting rid of the dead coat and refreshing his skin. Guess we all know how good it feels to have a bath and how relaxed and refreshed we are after. Would not do any harm and he may enjoy it ( although you may well get wet as well ). biggrin

Nora
P.S. Greyhounds are famed for their baldy bums !!!!!

-- Edited by max at 00:31, 2007-10-20

midas · Master

Hi,oily fish such as sardines in sauce/oil are good,also a omega 3 supplement for dogs ,we use quistel shampoo and lotion,it's completely organic and is good for promoting hair growth,the lotion is sprayed onto the coat then massaged in,and is just left to dry it can be used a number of times in one day without fear of overdosing,but like marie said he's probably shedding and it can take some time for their skin/hair to improve if their diet has been poor.i take it you've wormed him ?i'm sure you have,and i think your vet would have advised it,it's just we get dogs in with worms often and their coats can be really bad.we use arden grange,jim millar will be happy to talk to you about the different types avaiable,there' s also another shampoo that has spherules in it that help slough of the dead skin,it's good if the skin/hair has a greasy feel,it also helps moisturises,must go and look it out of the cupboard tomorrow as i can't remember it's name,too tired. hope some of this is helpful.

Rachel.

Jacqui · Fostering Co-ordinator * Follow-up Co-ordinator

Hi, I use the Quistel shampoo and lotion too it really is good stuff. Gus is probably shedding his kennel coat so make sure you groom him regularly, I use a rubber mit and the girls luv it, its also a nice way to bond with your new dog.

I also feed them sardines and tuna in olive oil and it really makes a difference to their coats - and they cant get enough of it!!

With a good diet and lots of grooming he will soon look fantastic!

-- Edited by Jacqui at 15:25, 2007-10-20

Teresa · Enlightened One

cod liver oil. apart from being good for their joints, it helps promote a shiny coat. my three love it and they are all shiny !! i put a tablespoon of cod liver oil in their dinner each day.

kirvine · Old Hand

thanks for all the advice. have found that gus LOVES getting a wash. havent tried putting him in the bath tho but did wash him outside. the look of pure pleasure on his face was great. looked like he would have fallen asleep if he wasnt standing up! had a look online at the arden range but wouldnt know which one would be best for him. will definately start giving him the oily fish tho. tried him with a small amount of tuna and he ended up chasing his bowl all over the kitchen floor, so i guessed that he likes fish! he'll get a whole tin tonight with his tea.

midas · Master

Hi any of the AG varieties should suit your grey,we find lamb and rice sells best but the chicken is as good some prefer the salmon ,though it's a bit dearer, if your dog is otherwise fit and healthy go for lamb or chicken.a tip about bathing,all dogs don't really need to be bathed more than twice a year unless very smelly/dirty like rolling in something disgusting,over washing destroys the natural oils in the coat and these oils help to keep the coat waterproof.regular brushing helps to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate the blood supply and spread the oils in the coat and helps them stay shiny.i'm sure your dog will look tip top in no time.

Rachel.

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Just an ad on Quistel, Mason's had one shampoo with it and a number of sprays of the lotion and his bald patches on his thighs have vanished! I'm thrilled. Thanks Rachel

Marie

Rowen · Master

I use burns dog food, it is a fair price and Rowen has a very shiny coat, when i first brought him home from the kennels he had a very dull coat and his skin was dry, i used a brush mit, bathed him and put him onto burns, he's now very happy, shiny and well fed lol, i have just started to put cod liver oil in his breakfast as well

Michelle · Master

I use Burns too and Jets coat is much better on it.

CandS · Graduate

Burns fish variety and occasion sardines and tuna seem to have worked for Tara. After 4 months her blackcoat is lovely and shiny although her bum is still a bit baldy. We also got a rubber brush which has been great forgetting out the dead hair.