Flaky skin

[JUDY S]

My rottie looks like she has a serious case of dandruff. I don't see any other symptoms and I am not sure if this needs a vet visit or if it's something simple to fix. Any ideas?

[Marty]

Judy, you might try adding a fish oil supplement to her diet. Sounds like dry skin which one of my dogs has. Ask your Vet about it.

[JUDY S]

Thanks Marty! My mind immediately started worrying about many more serious possibilities, I need to stop doing that.

[k9Karen]

Some ideas and suggestions:
Fish oil or flax seed oil are good starters. If she can tolerate it, adding a COOKED egg to her food is an option.
Take a look at how often you are bathing her. Too often? Not enough? Every dog is different and make sure all the shampoo is completely washed out when you do bathe.
Take a look at the ingredients in her food. Meat should be the first ingredient. If it's corn meal or rice or something like that, consider changing foods

If the suggestions above don't work or make the problem worse, a it's time for a visit to the vet.

Possible medical causes the vet will look for
Food or environmental allergy.
Seborrhea
Hypothyroidism
Liver or kidney disease
Etc.

[anneryan]

I would check with your vet before you try to change your dog's diet or add supplements.

My cat had severe dandruff which I thought was diet-related, but I took her to the vet after things didn't clear up. The vet did a skin-scraping and it was found that my cat had skin mites. This was after I spent many weeks trying different foods, flea treatments, etc. If I had gone to the vet in the first place, the problem would have been caught and treated much earlier!

Once we treated the mites, the flaking went away.

Good luck and hope your doggie gets better!

[JUDY S]

Thanks guys. I have actually been thinking mites of some sort. My other dogs have some itching going on. I am spending much more time with them since I quit one of my jobs, so I am noticing that they are scratching themselves. It's not constant, but maybe twice an hour. Is that a normal dog thing or could this be a symptom too?

[mamaof4soon]

The dogs should go to the vet for examination to determine what it is the cause. The vet might want to find out if there are ringworm or maybe mites or fleas. He might do a skin scraping to see what grows if anything. DO NOT change any food or suppliment anything untill you determine what is the cause. You do not need to add stress to their bodies if their bodies are already weakened by a mild case of mites or fleas.

TO THE VET for exam then go from there. Take one first and see what happens please tell the vet that they others are doing this as well. Do not bathe any of the dogs untill you see the vet.

A good diet is great for their coat that I am all for but it means nothing if there is something else going on. First find out then treat.