Help my 11 week old puppy has dry itchy skin. What can I do to help her?

Question

Ok so I picked her up from her breeder just 10 days ago. She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. When I picked her up she had just had a bath and smelled really fresh and clean. I do not know what he bathed her in but it did have a strong scent to it. I noticed after a few days that she was really itchy and scratchy a lot of the time. So I was doing a search of her skin and noticed that it was really dry and flaky. I decided to give her a bath here at my house. I used Pure Paws brightening Shampoo and Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner. I thought that the Ultra Moisturizing would help with the skin condition. I must say that her coat was extremely soft and fluffy but her skin did not seem to improve. I now noticed last night that she has actually chewed an open sore on her back leg. I am treating it with bag balm and she has seemed to leave it alone today.

So back to my question I have been on the web looking at Dr. Foster and Smiths site and have found lots of different shampoo options. First just simple puppy shampoo. Then the Oatmeal Shampoo for allergies. Then there is also the Medicated Shampoos. I am not sure which would actually be best for her. I do not want to keep bathing her and make it worse. I am hoping that someone else out there has had some experience with something similar to this.

Answer 1

Start by giving her a little salmon oil with her food a few times a week. Most pet supply stores carry the oil and instructions on how much to give. Another alternative is to use a little vegetable oil in her food a few times a week. Fish oils contail the omega 3s that are vital for a healthy skin and coat and can also help lessen shedding. For your size dog  just a teaspoon over her food about 3 or 4 times a week should be fine.

Put your dog on a high quality food. I may get yelled at for this but Purina is not high quality it is mid grade. Some High Quality foods are Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, Natures Balance, Canidae. You are looking for foods with the most natural ingridients and the fewest preservatives. Some preservatives dry skin.

When looking for shampoo to use check the ingridients, again natural is best. Stay away from shampoos with alcohol as it will dry the coat. Use a high quality Conditioner as well again look for one without alchohol. You may also want to invest in a conditioning spray (no alchohol) use this once a day on your dog. Spray the fur and then massage the spray into the skin.Try not to bathe her more than once every 4 to 6 weeks unless she is very dirty. Tomlyn products are fairly good and not too expensive. At the grooming Salon we use the Milk bath or the oatmeal shampoo for dry dogs. We use the Nova Pearls conditioning spray as well. Stay away from medicated unless you watch the label close. Many have ingridients that will dry the skin. Make sure you are brushing the dog daily and that the brush is getting to the skin to stimulate the oil producing glands. Be sure the brush is not wire or if it is that the tips are covered in clearcat or plastic to prevent scratching the skin.

I hope this helps you. In the event that this does not help just return to the vet but give it a good 4 weeks on the oil and good food before you do.  

Answer 2

Has she been to the vet yet for a health check?  That would be a good place to start cause she needs shots and worming.  The Oatmeal shampoo would help for itching.  If the itching doesn't clear up after that you might consider the dog food. Some breeders don't feed high quality food.  Look for a food with no corn, wheat, or soy.

Answer 3

I would take her to the vet.  There could be another issue going that the oatmeal shampoo may relieve for a little while but not fix permanently.