Skin problems/allergies in american cocker spaniels?

Question

Hi. I was wondering what are some skin problems/allergies that are common in cocker spaniels. My lil cocker always in "biting"/"nibilling" at her self. Particularly at her leg/belly/pee-pee area. She seems to have these very tiny red/brown bumbs near where she is always nibiling at her self. Im pretty sure she doesn't have fleas, otherwise I would have seen them on her since she has very thin hair. I know cockers can have food allergies, esp. with foods that contain corn, wheat, and soy. She is currently eatiing pegigree puppy (dry food). But I am gradually mixing her food with Natural Balance because it's a better food. (Her breeder was feeding her pedigree.) So, can anyone answer my question regarding skin problems/allergies with cocker spaniels? Is there anything I can do to either make it better (w/o having to go to the vet) or prevent these skin problems????? Thanx in advanced!!!

Answer 1

Well I know that you can have a skin test at the vet to determine what she is allergic to. It can also be a bug bites. If I were you, I would call your vet or go there just to be sure. It may be expensive, but it also could be well worth it.

Answer 2

Start beathing her in an oatmeal shampoo only, some dogs have sensitive skin to things that are scented. Oatmeal is naturally soothing and moisturizing. As far as fleas are concerned, for some dogs all it takes it one.... some dogs have flea allergies and can break out and itch like crazy from a single flea. Make sure to use a vet med. like Frontline or Advantage every month. Also, keep the hair area the genital area trimmed short each you take her for a grooming so that the hair doesn't get tangled and urine doesn't get in it and irritate the skin. You can also buy some fish oil capsules from the grocery store and add them to her food. It's really good for their skin and coat.  

Answer 3

I bet as you switch her off of crappy Pedigree to a better quality food (something without corn/grains) that you will see her itchiness disappear.  Don't despair if it doesn't happen right away, it may take a month or so of being on the new food before all the old toxins disappear.

Good luck!  

Answer 4

I have a cocker springer/spaniel mix. Mine used to get little "hot spots". You need to keep the hair short in the summer, I shaved my dogs belly. It helped sooo much! My dog used to do the same thing.. knaw and chew on himself. If you shave the belly, the skin can stay cool and dry, it will not itch anymore. It also reduces infections that come along with the hot spots.

Shave her belly.  

Answer 5

I am glad you are switching to Natural Balance.Pedigree is pure garbage.

My English Bulldog has a skin condition, and Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish sure did make a noticeable difference. 8/20

Answer 6

I too would guess allergies.  Pedigree is an extremely poor quality food and it's good that you are are gradually switching her off to a better food.  Try putting some olive oil or cod liver oil in her food as well.  It will help moisturize her skin.  If after a few weeks after being on the better stuff (without the Pedigree), if she is still itchy then take her to the vet and see if she has sensitive skin or any other problems.

Answer 7

Yahoo! Groups has a group called "Allerdog" specifically for people who are dealing with allergy issues in their dogs.  I would suggest that this probably would be a good resource for you.

From my own experience I have the following comments:

If the allergy is food-related, it may be necessary to try many different foods before finding the one your dog does well on.  In the case of my allergy dog, I ended up having to prepare homemade fish and potato food for him.  Other dogs are not as severe and can eventually find a commercial diet they can manage.  Definitely feed the healthiest diet you can manage.  Doing some research on canine nutrition will aid you in this.

Avoid stresses to the immune system.  Allergies are an immune system dysfunction.  Over vaccination can exacerbate allergies, just give the minimum shots that you can get away with.  Do not combine stresses, so don't vaccinate a sick dog, don't vaccinate in conjunction with surgery or anesthesia, or with changes in situation like boarding or travel.  All of these things will stress the immune system.  My dog was so bad the vet said not to vaccinate him ever again.

When bathing your dog, again you may have to experiment to find a shampoo that won't bother her, even the so-called "hypoallergenic" ones.  My dog was irritated by Allergroom, but fine with Johnson's Baby Shampoo.  Go figure.....

If her skin is very irritated, it is probably better to keep her shaved so that it can be properly cared for and so that the air can get at it.