Q: Dear Dr. Shawn: ”Our dog is 12 years old and has a chronic skin disorder. We have taken him to several doctors, and all they prescribe is steroids. We shampoo him 3 times a week. We give him 2000mg of fish oil and 1,400 units of vitimin E a day. He also has a BAD order most of the time, and when he starts scratching you can smell him across the room. Any suggestions would be appreciated.”

A: ”The first suggestion I have is to get a correct diagnosis. I assume this has not been done since you did not mention the name of a specific disease but only stated the chronic use of steroids for therapy. Diagnostic testing that I would recommend include a complete blood count, biochemical blood profile, thyroid testing, and urinalysis. A skin biopsy is probably also needed due to the chronicity of the disease. Once the correct diagnosis is made the proper therapy can be instituted. In the interim, I would suggest continued regular shampooing to make him feel better and decrease his odor. Also, if he has periodontal disease this should be treated; many pets with infected teeth lick and chew on their irritated skin, which contributes to the odor. You don’t say how much your dog weighs so I can’t comment on the dosages of fish oil and vitamin E you are using. In general, I have found most doctors use way too low of a dose of fish oil. It is rare I use vitamin E, as I prefer whole food sources of vitamins and minerals and have found combination supplements which work better than individual nutrients. Good luck!.”

Dr. Shawn Messonnier is the author of the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Please address questions to him at Paws & Claws Animal Hospital, 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, Tx, 75075, call him at 972-867-8800, or email him at:
Dr. Shawn Messonier

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