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Flaky skin???

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I have a 3 yr old Basenji. Lately his skin has been HORRIBLY flaky…looks like he was just out in the snow. Ive tried Omega 3 pills..they work for awhile then it comes back (Im still giving him them while the flaky skin is coming back). Ive tried different foods and different shampoos. He is on a half raw diet of chicken and the other half is kibble. Ol Roy Complete Nutrition. Any other ideas for how to control his flaky skin?

  • Are you bathing often? How much? Too much bathing drys out the skin. If not then there's allergies to something in the diet or environment. There maybe something in that food.

  • He doesnt get a bath very often…only if he gets REALLY dirty outside playing. But even then most of the time ill get a wash rag and wipe him down..not give him a full on bath. Ill have to look into the food and see whats in it

  • suki had dandruff when i first got her. i just gave her one bath with oatmeal shampoo and she has been fine since.

  • Ive actually never tried Oatmeal shampoo….my mom uses it on her Shih Tzu and it works good...something to consider

  • uhm, Old Roy??? really? can i ask what is your thinking on an old roy/raw diet? (no I'm serious; i think this is one of the strangest combo's i've heard of)

    otherwise a humidifier may help. oils added to the diet often work but sounds like you've tried that. Personally, I'd try a different kibble. My kids are on Taste of the Wild with some muttloaf (homemade) in the evening. It's very dry here and their skin/coat looks great. I only have one tri and of course the dandruff shows up better on the black coats, but even he looks great.

  • Try a teaspoon of olive oil 1x per day mix in with food.

  • @nobarkus:

    Try a teaspoon of olive oil 1x per day mix in with food.

    +1 Kipawa's skin was a little flaky, so Therese advised trying some olive oil. It has been working extremely well. I use the amount that Dan has indicated.

  • I give our dogs Flax seed oil once a day in their food. It gives our tri a super soft glossy coat, where the red does not seem to make a difference.

  • Another thing to consider…

    Is your guy wearing a coat at all during the day or night ???

    I asked this question in the showring section, and after doing a few experiments, I worked out that my guys were becoming very 'dundruffy' when wearing their coats all day and night. Im a bit of a fusspot with them, and as they were crated o/n, I was worried about them getting cold. So now coats off and dunruff gone :)...

  • I noticed a little dandruff on Ayo the other day after bathed him. Its also been unusually dry here lately, but it has since gone away. I think it has to do with the weather. oatmeal shampoonshould work except I don't think you should bathe him as that I'll dry his skin more. I would try the olive oil

  • Mmmmm think I might have spoken too soon, Java was having cuddles with me yesterday evening, and the horrible dandruff is back, BUT, only on him ??? I had reduced all the dogs fish oil capsules, from daily, to 2-3/week, so Im wondering if thats why ??? Will start him up on daily and see if that makes a difference… I hate dandruff :(...

12/12

28 Jan 2011, 05:12

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    @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
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    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!
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    I was only recommending a shampoo to use in the future, not one that would clear up any skin problems. If the dog has allergies, she needs to be careful about what kind of general shampoo to use. Jennifer
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    At the beginning there were a couple of little spots, this was about three weeks ago, I thought that they could have been the result of playing at the dog park so I just put a little bit of aloe vera on them, but then they started to show on different spots and not only on the black but on the white coat as well. I do not see him scratching himself on those spots but what I notice is that is getting dandruff, it is like his coat is going through something and all that comes to my mind is the food, I do not know.
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    Hydroxizine AKA Atarax is a great drug for treating severe allergies, it is by far the best antihistamine for reducing itching. It does have a high amount of sedation as a side effect and is also marketed as a sleep aid. OTC Zyrtec is a good alternative since it is a metabolite of Atarax and has less sedation. You may want to find a vet that specializes in allergy treatment and have the dog skin tested to identify exactly what it is and isn't allergic to. You could consider allergen immunotherapy to reduce and potentially eliminate the allergies.
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    @FortheLoveofStella: Stella has very short hair, and she is flaky a lot (in more ways than one!!) Do you need a prescription for the omega3 or fish oil? Or can you just the human equivalent at cvs? Human equivalent is fine to use