Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Dry flaky Skin

Dry flaky Skin

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • R

    Hello All,
    I have a 7 year old Basenji named Lily, that has extremly dry skin. I have tried switching her food within the brand from the small dog formula to the Lamb and Rice and I have had no success. (I buy her Iams) I have also had her thyroid tested and the Vet says no problems there. I have tried fish oil and using a topical spray no success. At this point obviously, I am not sure what to do about her dry skin. I need to get it taken care of quickly because she is currently unable to use any flea products due to having very little oil in her skin to pick up the product, not to mention that she is uncomfortable. If anyone has had this problem I would love to hear your advice on the subject. Thank you very much.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    She most likely right now is spending much time in the house and your heater is running making the air dry. You may not be using enough fish oil. I give mine 540 mg EPA a day. Look on the back of the label. Take her weight and multiply by 20. So Buddy is 27 lbs x 20 = 540 mg of EPA. I found this formula from a qualified vet in CO that found her patients were not getting any results because the dosage was too low. Give it a try and see in a few weeks if she has gotten better. You can't over dose on fish oil anyway. Also brushing the coat helps stimulate the oil glands as well.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • tanzaT

    Was there a full thyroid panel done? Usually in a general blood workup, it is not a full panel. Also, low normal for a Basenji is too low, what did the results show.

    Also you might want to consider changing foods. She could very easily have food allergies. You might want to try a food with no grains, maybe something like Duck and Potato (Natural Balance) or a pure protein food like Evo.

    You might also try a supplement called 3V caps, I have had good luck with these and here is a link to just one place that has them… you can seach the internet for good prices.
    http://www.1800petmeds.com/3V+Caps-prod2841-2841.html

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • R

    Thank you very much! I will look into this, again thank you.

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    @rj1076:

    (I buy her Iams)

    That could be part of the problem. I'm not a fan of Iams. However, that said, try a capsule of fish oil daily. The experts can tell you dosage.

    Ms. Tanza posted this link in another thread. Perhaps you will find it useful:

    http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • W

    One thing that came to my mind:
    At our vet clinic we sell Science Diet. They have a sensitive skin formula. I find all of their foods to be made in mind of the animals needs and it is highly recommended by our veterinarians. Although it might be more costly..

    More info on the food
    http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/productDetails.hjsp?HillsProductCode=SD_K9_D_adt_NA_o_O_SKIN_orig_USARG

    0

Suggested Topics

  • dres_actuallyD

    Dry skin and fur

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    3k Views
    ZandeZ
    @prasadvaze The body odour would suggest to me there is something being ingested that his body doesn't approve of. I would change his diet to something grain free to start with and I would also talk to a vet who is experienced with Basenjis. Not just any vet. Find one who knows our breed and is prepared to research your problem relative to Basenjis
  • wizardW

    Super dry skin

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    TimesthemythT
    Olive oil works very quickly; cleared up my dogs dry skin in less than two weeks (though I put it in food) and is relatively cheap. Three table spoons a week I think is what vets have recommended. The high fat can cause some laxative issues though. You don't likely need fish [cod] oil after that, though if you have a decent fish source….never hurts as a supplement. Especially salmon. If you're neurotic about your dog's health [ as there is some controversy surrounding Olive oil], and wanting to pull out all the stops, just go straight for the fish oil.
  • S

    Dry dog food

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    7k Views
    Chealsie508C
    Oakley was on the Iams intestinal sensitivity formula because I tried taste of the wild ( of all kinds) and he was still having stool issues, combined with a puppy bout of giardia…he did well on it but I didn't feel good about the ingredients. From there I tried nature variety and he wasn't a fan. He has been sensative stool wise with many of the high quality foods so now we use Fromms and he is terrific. He loves all the varieties ( I mix two kinds at a time..one of their grain free versions with a grain version in order to get a reduced grain diet; stool issues if none or too much!) His weight is steady and his coat has never looked shinier, smoother of softer. Lastly, he loves the taste and I don't have to coax him to eat. I agree with not free feeding OR feeding from the same bowl. Since yours have issues (whether it's weight or sensitivity) knowing when they ate and controlling how much will allow you to better navigate around the health issues and possibly identify the cause of some as well!
  • M

    Flakey skin…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    8k Views
    M
    Hi All, Thought i'd give you a little update! My lil lady had her food changed from Eukanuba medium pup to Royal Canin Mini (she's a very small basenji and doubt she'll get bigger than 10k when fully grown so thought this one best) I also bought her a Pet Head shampoo 'Royal Treatment' with oatmeal and aloe. She loves her new food and never leaves a crumb now, has a bath once every two weeks (instead of every week) and has a treat of sardines or yogurt every couple of days. Her skin is much better, little flaking and her coat looks much better now. Thank you guys for all the advice!
  • G

    Stumped - Bumps leading to Flaky Skin

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    5k Views
    G
    Thanks for the info. We went thorugh when the bumps first appeared and tried to take away anything that had changed recently to make sure wasn't allergic to something new in his enviroment and he's not had any changes in routine since then. At this point, if it is an allergy in the house, it probably is to dust but he hasn't had that same huge breakout in bumps just a few here and there. I'll try some supplements and maybe change shampoos to something that says no soap as saw that on some other posts. He doesn't seem to be bothered much, just a little itchy and the hair might be somewhat more thin but he doesn't have bare spots. It's really hard to be patient though when I just want to know what is causing it! Thanks again!
  • etzbsederE

    Scratching and Bare Skin

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    A visit to the vet will be worthwhile. Skin problems can be difficult to resolve. My two actually have a dermatologist now that my vet referred me to to try to figure out why their skin isn't clearing up after two months of treatment. My regular vet did skin scrapings to check for things like mites (which they don't have). Mine are getting more skin scrapings next week to be cultured to see what exact bacteria is there and check for something like ringworm.