Rescue Dog - Coat and Skin

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Hi everyone.  Question for Karen and anyone else who might have some idea.

I recently adopted Colonel Esau.  I don't know much about him or how he ended up in county animal control.  As you can hopefully see in the photo below, he has a scruffy, wiry coat.  He is probably 4 to 5 months old.

When I brought him home, he had recently been treated twice for mange.  It's definitely not contagious and he doesn't seem to be itching too much - although his skin is very dry and flaky and the coat is patchy - both where the mange was and in general.  He also had Giardia and his GI was very inflamed.  Have treated that too with the standard course of med's and I expect it is under control.  Will know for sure after fecal test next week.  He is undernourished and very thin, but he's putting on weight now and definitely on the mend.

SO ... in addition to and I'm sure because of all of the above, his skin and coat are still quite dry and flakey, included a number of bare patches.

MY QUESTION IS, is there a particular food or diet or supplement that I can give him that would be optimal for helping grow back the bare patches and getting his skin and coat healthy?  I have been giving him salmon oil everyday.  That seems logical to me but you all probably know more than I do.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

First, it is essential that the "standard treatment" for the giardia included Panacur. Unfortunately, many vets are still under the impression that metronidazole is the treatment of choice for giardia, although it is now known that this is untrue. If he got both, that's okay, but if not, get the Panacur and use it now, don't wait for the fecal. 

A dog always needs probiotics when they are on any kind of antibiotics, and the probiotics need to be continued beyond the course of meds, so make sure he's getting those too. (Not Fortiflora from the vet. You want Proviable ideally, but there are others that are also good.) 

Salmon oil is the best thing you can give for dry skin and coat. You might want to try human fish oil capsules, depending on the amount of DHA and EPA in the fish oil, you can sometimes get more into them with capsules than with liquids or sprays. You can also give evening primrose oil softgels. You can get them anywhere human vitamins and mineral supplements are sold. 500 mg. softgels, give as you would a pill, don't puncture. Some dogs will just eat it if you put in their bowls with their food, especially if the food is wet. Start with one a day. 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Yes, he had Metro. and Panacur.  Lola had Panacur too just in case.  I have a box of Micro Flora Plus, not from the vet but from the natural pet food store by my old house.  They sell only the best of the best so I assumed it must be okay.  I recognize the other brand you recommend too though.

I did not know about primrose oil - maybe we will try that.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think getting him nourished with a good diet and back to a good weight will be the best treatment. EPO,evening primrose oil,  which I buy from Puritan's Pride on line, 500 mg per day for his size is good for coats. But nothing really specifically will help grow hair back despite what you may be told. You don't want to start him on minoxidil : ) Make sure if you are just giving him chicken still that he's getting whatever else in the way of vitamins and minerals he needs. There may be information on that in the raw feeding group. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh dear, I'd forgotten about the raw chicken legs: an absolute no-no for a dog with an inflamed GI system. If you want to feed raw, you are much better off with one of the commercial raw products on our recommended brands list.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

You are correct - I stopped the day after when I realized he had issues.  We may try raw later once he is in better shape. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

So he's on a good kibble? Then he should need no vitamins or minerals. The fish or the EPO should help a bit but most of it is up to his own healing powers. 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

He "came with" Wellness for puppies dry and wet.  Lola eats Merrick grain free dry and wet.  So in theory that is what each of them is eating, although they are both grazers and naturally each wants to each the other's food - which isn't idea from a transition standpoint.  On the other hand I'm thrilled to see him eating.  Still working out the best way to handle.  I'm thinking maybe just have both of them eat the Merrick and see how that goes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maybe try a spoonful of Merrick canned food on top to entice him to eat the kibble. Normally I don't recommend toppers, but in this case, if it helps transition him to the same food Lola eats, it might be best for both of them. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wouldn't it be best to get them both on a recommended brand?

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I've tried virtually every dog food out there and the Merrick is the only one I've found that Princess Lola will eat for more than a few days.  From what I recall the protein source is not quite as good as I would like, but I'll live with it under the circumstances.  Dog Food Advisor gave it 5 stars, for whatever that is worth.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Plus she has been eating this and only this for probably six months now.  Coat, poop, etc. are all excellent.  It was quite a challenge to get to that point so I'm not inclined to mess with it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Merrick is okay; there were some manufacturing issues several years ago, but not recently, and my "advisor" at the upscale pet supply store says food is fine, it was the treats that were the issue. :)