my poor labs skin... please help :(

**Sophiesmama** · 12-18-2011, 04:22 PM

We tried the Purina One lamb and rice with Sophie and she got worse. We kind of knew then that is was something she was eating that she was allergic too. We figure it was the grain in it. We are pretty sure she is allergic to chicken too. She got in the trash last night and snagged some chicken and today has scratched all day! I am so glad Guinn is getting better. It sounds like you're on the right track.

**Baloo317** · 12-19-2011, 12:29 PM

If he improved with the food I would try him on a grain-free formula and see how he does. Many many dogs are allergic to grains so at least you can rule that out. I think the improvement you're seeing is more than likely due to the benedryl than anything else.

You are right about vets being frustrating re: not knowing what it is. However, as a general rule, if an animal is in distress, they need to see the doctor, just like us.

If he were mine he would be on a grain-free (or raw) diet asap, and I'd slowly wean off the benedryl and see how he did.

**brianna708** · 12-22-2011, 12:13 AM

Bosco has been eating the taste of the wild for 21 days now and the rash looks a little betterr but it is still there. Now it has gone to one of his ears and his ear looks really bad and its all red and bumpy kinda and its dirty inside. He looks like he has a lot of potatoes. Its really bothering him he keeps itchy his ear. I cleaned his ear out and got some of the stuff out but its still there and its scabby which when he scratches is causing it to bleed. I am going to the vet monday but he's getting my very nervous. Any suggestions?

**Sophiesmama** · 12-22-2011, 12:43 AM

Bosco needs an ear medication from the vet. It will clear it up pretty fast. Which TOTW did you decide on? Our vet said to leave Sophie on for 6 weeks. But if Bosco seems worse or has ear infections that he didn't have before, he may need something different. We have pretty much figured out Sophie is allergic to chicken. She got KFC out of the trash and has 2 red scaley itchy patches on her inner thigh and 1 on her stomach. Good luck. I do think you need to go to the vet, his ears are probably miserable.

**BigBrownDog** · 12-22-2011, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by brianna708

Bosco has been eating the taste of the wild for 21 days now and the rash looks a little betterr but it is still there. Now it has gone to one of his ears and his ear looks really bad and its all red and bumpy kinda and its dirty inside. He looks like he has a lot of potatoes. Its really bothering him he keeps itchy his ear. I cleaned his ear out and got some of the stuff out but its still there and its scabby which when he scratches is causing it to bleed. I am going to the vet monday but he's getting my very nervous. Any suggestions?

Not everything is cured with diet. If this were my dog he'd be at the vet today for a skin scraping. 4 more days wait you may have a much sicker dog.

**brianna708** · 12-22-2011, 06:37 PM

I chose the salmon one because just like sophie bosco never had salmon. Is there anything i can do for his ear until i go to the vet? Is cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide a good idea?

**Sophiesmama** · 12-22-2011, 11:52 PM

Since the holidays are here, you might try calling your vet. Even if you can't get an appointment, he/she may allow you to pick up some ear medicine from their office. We use Gentizol. It has gentimyicin and a steroid in it. His ears will get worse. Even with diet change, it won't clear up the ear problem.
Here is a link about cleaning your dog's ears.How Do You Clean A Dogs Ears?