Excessive tummy/groin licking and skin problems - Exclusively Setters2024-03-29T07:15:30Zhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/forum/topics/excessive-tummy-groin-licking-and-skin-problems?commentId=865021%3AComment%3A868497&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for this info on enzym…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2012-07-03:865021:Comment:9652752012-07-03T09:16:35.683ZRhonda Fisherhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/RhondaFisher
<p>Thanks for this info on enzymes Fran. Kerry is on probiotics and now eats all his meals but still is not chubby. I have done a little research and it may be some thing to try with him.</p>
<p>Thanks for this info on enzymes Fran. Kerry is on probiotics and now eats all his meals but still is not chubby. I have done a little research and it may be some thing to try with him.</p> Excellent Cornelia. Also wit…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2012-07-03:865021:Comment:9652642012-07-03T07:45:31.968ZFran Griffinhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/FranGriffin
<p>Excellent Cornelia. Also with regards to hypothyroidism in Setters. which I have FAR TOO much experience of.... there is a problem, and the problem appears to stem from malabsorption issues. I have been discussing this issue with an integrative vet who has treated my hypo T dogs in the past from a conventional angle. She holds "without a shadow of a doubt" that there is a malabsorption issue in Setters. Knowing what I know now, all my dogs are fed raw, lots of organ meat, and added…</p>
<p>Excellent Cornelia. Also with regards to hypothyroidism in Setters. which I have FAR TOO much experience of.... there is a problem, and the problem appears to stem from malabsorption issues. I have been discussing this issue with an integrative vet who has treated my hypo T dogs in the past from a conventional angle. She holds "without a shadow of a doubt" that there is a malabsorption issue in Setters. Knowing what I know now, all my dogs are fed raw, lots of organ meat, and added digestive enzymes. These are NOT probiotics as many people believe, enzymes assist with the absorption of food. I am now getting reports back from other owners who are going down this route who are experiencing amazing results.</p>
<p>I will also add, that one of my dogs who had a real problem eating any food, to the point that his nic name become "Mr. Picky" now eats almost anything, and for a whole year now his bowl has been licked clean on a daily basis. Also all symptoms of another red (from the same line I may add) going down the hypo thyroid route have disappeared. In fact he he not seen the inside of a veterinary surgery for just over a year now..... since I started adding the enzymes to his diet. Thanks not only to Dr. Jean Dodds for identifying the problems in the first place, which our UK vets couldn't, and thanks to Dr. Karen Becker too for identifying the absorption issues. Another thing to add is that is was expected that Tallulah would have been dead by last Christmas, as with her peripheral neuropathy, there is no dog who has been known to survive a year beyond diagnosis from that condition. Well there is now. Her, and she is still chasing squirrels 18 months after her diagnosis. I have had to increase her thyroid meds again recently, due to her age quite likely (coming up 9), but she is still racing around and enjoying life almost to the full. Without those enzymes, she wouldn't have survived. I am pleased now that we have found a good integrative vet in the UK who is supportive of me and my dogs too. Please, please check out those enzymes, and getting your dogs onto proper species appropriate food. This information is LIFE SAVING!!!!<br/><br/></p>
<p></p> Great news that you have foun…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2012-07-02:865021:Comment:9651252012-07-02T23:05:10.698ZRhonda Fisherhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/RhondaFisher
<p>Great news that you have found the source of the problem and letting us know. Poor Bailey hope your itches end soon.</p>
<p>Great news that you have found the source of the problem and letting us know. Poor Bailey hope your itches end soon.</p> Quick update on poor Bailey.…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2012-07-02:865021:Comment:9649952012-07-02T20:29:18.895ZAlison Olsenhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/AlisonOlsen
Quick update on poor Bailey. After a raft of allergy patch tests by veterinary dermatologists and switching to various hypoallergenic dog foods, we did a thyroid function test. Bailey's T4 level was normal but TSH levels were sky high. Repeated his blood test today just to be sure but it looks like we finally have an answer to Bailey's itchy tummy rash - hypothyroidism. If only the vet had suggested checking his thyroid first, we could have saved Bailey a lot of itching and scratching. Looking…
Quick update on poor Bailey. After a raft of allergy patch tests by veterinary dermatologists and switching to various hypoallergenic dog foods, we did a thyroid function test. Bailey's T4 level was normal but TSH levels were sky high. Repeated his blood test today just to be sure but it looks like we finally have an answer to Bailey's itchy tummy rash - hypothyroidism. If only the vet had suggested checking his thyroid first, we could have saved Bailey a lot of itching and scratching. Looking forward to seeing him being a happier setter. Great advice your getting her…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-28:865021:Comment:8688702011-12-28T02:43:41.818ZSue and Cashhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/SusanLoconsole
<p>Great advice your getting here. I know that my Cash had a skin rash right after he was neutered, he came home that night with it. It was treated with oral antibiotics. He came back about a year later again, sores on his neck and inner thigh area. Again oral antibiotics. He never got it back again. Did your vet take a look under a microscope at the skin scrapings?</p>
<p>Great advice your getting here. I know that my Cash had a skin rash right after he was neutered, he came home that night with it. It was treated with oral antibiotics. He came back about a year later again, sores on his neck and inner thigh area. Again oral antibiotics. He never got it back again. Did your vet take a look under a microscope at the skin scrapings?</p> Hello Alison, Our dog Guinnes…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-27:865021:Comment:8686142011-12-27T18:38:36.782ZMarion Kroeshttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/MarionKroes
<p>Hello Alison, Our dog Guinness had also gluten free dry dog food. It is called: Prins Procare, Hypo-allergic Lamb and Rice. I don't know if this is for sale in the UK. I hope so. The next thing you could do is give him only meat. Special meat called complete with all the vitamins etc in it. It will be a bit expensive but the vet is also not cheap. I hope I could help you.</p>
<p>Lots of love from Holland, Marion</p>
<p>Hello Alison, Our dog Guinness had also gluten free dry dog food. It is called: Prins Procare, Hypo-allergic Lamb and Rice. I don't know if this is for sale in the UK. I hope so. The next thing you could do is give him only meat. Special meat called complete with all the vitamins etc in it. It will be a bit expensive but the vet is also not cheap. I hope I could help you.</p>
<p>Lots of love from Holland, Marion</p> Thanks Angela and Viv. The ve…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-27:865021:Comment:8685782011-12-27T12:30:30.126ZAlison Olsenhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/AlisonOlsen
<p>Thanks Angela and Viv. The vet did check and empty his anal glands at the time when he received antibiotics. He did NOT like attention in that area and our normally very friendly boy even tried to bite me. Is it possible that it flares up so quickly again?</p>
<p>Will do some research on the whole dry food/meat diet thing.</p>
<p>Think we need to head back to the vet again.</p>
<p>Thanks Angela and Viv. The vet did check and empty his anal glands at the time when he received antibiotics. He did NOT like attention in that area and our normally very friendly boy even tried to bite me. Is it possible that it flares up so quickly again?</p>
<p>Will do some research on the whole dry food/meat diet thing.</p>
<p>Think we need to head back to the vet again.</p> Alison, take note also of Viv…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-27:865021:Comment:8686722011-12-27T11:15:15.136ZAngela Robertshttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/AngelaRoberts
<p>Alison, take note also of Viv Blackshaw's advice to have the anal glands checked. Licking around the bottom and base of tail is an indication that something is not right in that area. I havn't heard of anyone with a problem with a Setter but know of a few Golden Retrievers who have skin problems when their anal glands are troubling them. This might not be the whole problem for Bailey but might be contributing.</p>
<p>Alison, take note also of Viv Blackshaw's advice to have the anal glands checked. Licking around the bottom and base of tail is an indication that something is not right in that area. I havn't heard of anyone with a problem with a Setter but know of a few Golden Retrievers who have skin problems when their anal glands are troubling them. This might not be the whole problem for Bailey but might be contributing.</p> The tragic thing is, this is…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-27:865021:Comment:8684972011-12-27T10:31:46.902ZFran Griffinhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/FranGriffin
<p>The tragic thing is, this is happening time after time with our dogs, and the main problem is just not being addressed. If we continue with this "dry is best" because thats what the vets and the marketers say is right, then inappropriate nutrition is going to continue upsetting a very complex biological system which bit by bit eats away at the complex balancing act not only our dogs bodies run on, but our own too, Highly processed foods are killing our animals, just as they are killing…</p>
<p>The tragic thing is, this is happening time after time with our dogs, and the main problem is just not being addressed. If we continue with this "dry is best" because thats what the vets and the marketers say is right, then inappropriate nutrition is going to continue upsetting a very complex biological system which bit by bit eats away at the complex balancing act not only our dogs bodies run on, but our own too, Highly processed foods are killing our animals, just as they are killing humans.</p> I think it is species inappro…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-12-27:865021:Comment:8685712011-12-27T10:27:15.930ZFran Griffinhttps://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/FranGriffin
<p>I think it is species inappropriate diet,. Do some research on raw feeding and species appropriate diets. You could well find the problem ends within days! A good quality raw food is essential because some poor quality one's can be as bad as dry foods. If you fall for the clever marketing that dry food is best at all costs, then for heavens sake add digest enzymes to the diet (again digestive enzymes formulated for dogs) as a matter of urgency. Please read my posts regarding my own dogs…</p>
<p>I think it is species inappropriate diet,. Do some research on raw feeding and species appropriate diets. You could well find the problem ends within days! A good quality raw food is essential because some poor quality one's can be as bad as dry foods. If you fall for the clever marketing that dry food is best at all costs, then for heavens sake add digest enzymes to the diet (again digestive enzymes formulated for dogs) as a matter of urgency. Please read my posts regarding my own dogs remarkable and unexpected recovery. If she was on dry food, this could not have happened - even with the enzymes.</p>
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