Bald spots

jourdy

Our chihuahua has been gaining more and more little bald spots lately. The vet prescribed to give cod liver oil forte once a day for 2 weeks, brewer's yeast 250mg half tablet once a day for 2 weeks, and ascorbic acid 250mg half tablet once a day for 2 weeks, all to be given orally.

How do I give these to the pup, considering there's 3 different medications? Do I mix it with food? Or do I give it individually?

Since I was not able to come with the vet, I still don't know what caused this. Anyone know? It started as 2 small bald spots.. but now there are lots.. as can be seen in this pic. There's more on the other side. I noticed that most spots are on the legs..



P.S. - Our Chihuahua seems awfully hot. There's no change in appetite, behavior, or anything.. she just seems hotter than normal when we pick her up. We are planning on going to the vet tomorrow, but in the meantime, does anyone know what this is? Or what I can do if ever there's something wrong? Thanks so much.

battlemonkey

Have you tried changing his food? Maybe it is due to allergies, many dogs have food allergies that make this happen.

Could also be flea bites or bug bites, your dog could be biting at his fur to relieve the itch, these are called "hot spots". I'm not sure, can't see your dog and I'm not a vet, but if the vet suggested you doing this, then for sure, try it out and see what happens. I would suggest either putting it in his food and mixing a little canned food with it so he doesn't know theres medication in there, or else you can insert it into a treat and give it to the pup. That would be my suggestion.

By the way, that sure is one cute pup you have there!!

Dogstar

It could also be demodex- did they do a skin scraping for mites?

DobManiac

I would also try changing the food. Switch the protien source and the main grain. What food is he on?

On a side note, that puppy is adorable.

jourdy

We already tried changing her food, but it only got worse, I think. She's on Eukanuba Small Breed for Puppies.

Dogstar, what is demodex? I will go to the vet later and ask a lot of stuff. Thanks for your replies.

By the way, I forgot to add to my initial post - our Chihuahua always seem to have lots of tears and eye discharge. Is this normal for Chihuahuas? Or is something wrong with her? We were also made aware of the reverse sneezing. The vet said it's normal for small breeds, but I read somewhere in the internet that it is very dangerous and should be brought to the vet ASAP. I feel so lost, don't know which to follow. Help would be really appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance!

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DobManiac

[quote=jourdy;137473]We already tried changing her food, but it only got worse, I think. She's on Eukanuba Small Breed for Puppies. QUOTE]

What food did you switch from? Eukanube is also not that good of a food. It is full of corn which dogs can't digest. Try a food that doesn't have chicken, turkey, corn, or wheat. Here is alist of some really good options that you can consider:

California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Puppy
Fromms Four Star duck and sweet potato (all-life-stages)
Nature's Variety Prairie Lamb Meal and Oatmeal
Nature's Variety Prairie Lamb Meal and Oatmeal
Timberwolf Organics Dakota Bison
Timberwolf Organics Lamb, Barley & Apples

The California Natural would be my first choice. The ingredient list is very limited. Make sure you use the new food for at least three months also. It takes a while for the old food to work out of the dog's system.

jourdy

We tried Vitality since it is lamb and rice. Now she's back to Eukanuba. She does bite her forelegs at times.. and that's where many little bald spots are.

DobManiac, I'm afraid those you mentioned are not available here in the Philippines. That's why we settled for Eukanuba. If ever we do find those here, we definitely would give them a try. All I've seen here so far are:

Purino Pro Plan
Eukanuba
Vitality
Science Diet
Canidae
Royal Canin
Pedigree
Alpo
Solid Gold

We don't have much choices here..

Anyway, we're not exactly sure what her color is - if blue or black. She is registered as black, white, and tan. But next to our black cocker spaniel she looks quite grayish. The breeder also told us she might turn blue since her mom is blue and white. Now here comes the part I worry about - if she is indeed blue.. isn't that the problem since I've read somewhere that around 90% of blue dogs have some sort of coat problem?

animalcraker

I agree with Dogstar it looks like demodex from the pics, but your vet will have to do a skin scrape to properly diagnose it. Demodex is a type a mange that is usually brought on by some sort of dramatic change or immune defficentcy. It's not contagious to other animals, but it does need to be treated asap before it becomes a huge infestation.

Out of the food choices that you listed I would 100% go with the Canidae. Nutrition is a huge "hot button" topic for dogs, just browse through the nutrition forum and you'll see what I mean. I'm sure lots of other members will chime in on what food you should or shouldn't feed and why. Personaly I feed what food works best for my dogs and what I have access to. My second choice form you list would be the Royal Canin and the Eukanuba would be my third choice, but again that's just what works best for my dogs.

From the photo you pup appears to be black and tan, I don't see any white on her at all unless she has a chest marking. I know your from the Philippines, but what registry is she registered with?

jourdy

Canidae eh? I'll try that. Thanks!

She has white markings on her chest. Actually.. the 'black' color on the head is a lighter shade compared to the rest of the body. Somewhat grayish in color. She is registered with the PCCI (Philippine Canine Club, Inc. i think). The dad is registered with the AKC, being an American champion and a Taiwan champ. The mom is registered with PCCI as well.

Demodex? Thank you for the info. I will ask the vet to check for skin mites ASAP. Thanks.

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