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Skin/coat changes?

Nicki

Moderator
TedBear's coat and skin are really awful at the moment, he's shedding about three times as much hair as Rupert, and has very flaky skin. He's not scratching with it though, just the "normal" Syringomyelia scratchies...

I was wondering if anyone had noticed this as a side effect of Gabapentin?

He's been off the steroids completely for 7 weeks, and it's only really started in the last couple of weeks, so I don't think it's that.

I checked with his neuro at glasgow and she hadn't come across it...

He's had some sampels taken today...he was SO brave, looked a bit bewildered as to why Uncle Patrick was sticking sellotape all over him LOL and I took some coat brushings in, but we don't think it's parasites.

Im starting him on Viacutan, which is about the best coat supplement around, and if it doesn't settle, he might have to have blood tests to see if we can find what is going on. There is a very good skin specialist up in Thurso, about 1 1/2 hours from here so that is also a possibility.
 
TedBear what a brave little man you are - I am sorry you are having problems...... lots of love and hugs to your mummy to help her with this... :flwr:
 
Teddy ...... :lotsaluv: :lotsaluv: :lotsaluv: you have been such a brave boy today.

Your mamma will get you all sorted... :flwr: :flwr: :flwr:

Alison & Whitney xxx

Wilts, U.K.
 
Awwww, TedBear - that's rotten news. :(

As if you don't have enough to contend with, you don't want itchy skin and you'll need to keep some fur for the autumn.

Good luck, Nicki - thinking positive thoughts for poor TedBear.
 
Awww {{{{{{{{TedBear}}}}}}}} sending you lots of hugs and kisses. Your Mamma will soon have you sorted xxxxx
 
I've not heard of dry skin as a side effect of gabapentin, but even if it isn't one for people perhaps it could be for dogs? I am sorry he has this discomfort and that you'll find the cause. Poor fellow! :flwr:
 
Hi Nicki

Sorry to hear about Tedbear's problems. My Emma has been on Gabapentin for over a year now and we haven't noticed any dry skin. Hope Tedbear will be feeling better soon.

Janine
 
Thanks everyone. Well the samples didn't show any mites or anything, so have ruled out parasites...I would have been surprised to be honest, as he's not scratching with it.

He's started on the Viacutan today, going to give that a month and if there's no improvement, then will have the blood tests done.

He ate really well tonight...first time for over a week, he's lost over 1/2 lb this week, and really can't afford to :(


Janine, it's lovley to see you here...thanks for posting. Hope your Emma is doing ok.
 
Oh Nicki

I am so so sorry to hear that Tedbear is itching this badly. :cry*ing: :cry*ing: :cry*ing:
He has suffered enough already, as you and Trevor and the other boys too. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
It is not fair, I love his coat and look at the lovely photo you sent me of him it is on my table he always makes me wonder if Darby will ever be as handsome and gorgeous as him. :xfngr:

I am sorry, I have been out of touch with you a bit lately.
Hope he starts feeling better very very soon. :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr:

Sending tons of hugs and loads and loads of good thoughts for you all. :lotsaluv:
 
Nicki,

I've been thinking about poor TedBear. When Charlie's skin got really bad, James suggested trying him on some Omega 3 capsules. You can get them in the chemist - he said just to pop one over his food or to just dose him with one like a tablet.

Thankfully, since Charlie's been on the Atopica, his coat is looking glorious but you should've seen him a while back.

Does make me wonder if poor Teddy has got some sort of allergy to something - doesn't always cause itches you see - I have loads of allergies and I rarely get itches with them :roll:

When do you get the results back?
 
Thanks Donna...they didn't find anything in the samples.

About Viacutan

Essential fatty acids are nutrients which cannot be made in the body and have to be provided in the diet. They are essential for the formation of new cells and to keep the skin in good condition.
Viacutan uses the GLA (gamma linolenic acid) essential fatty acid and is a balanced combination of plant and fish oils providing very high levels of biologically active GLA to be used as a dietary supplement to help condition the skin in dogs and cats.


He was on it last year and his coat and skin were fabulous...it's very expensive though :(

If it doesn't help, then we will have some blood tests done and possibly go and see this skin specialist...fortunately he doesn't seem to be showing any other symptoms, ruling out thyroid/Cushings etc...

I'm so pleased Charlie is better...how long will he be on Atopica for?
 
Izzy's coat doesn't look as good as it was , though it is glossy, but I think it's mainly due to his being thin, so the coat lies in a different direction and he is very grey round his face.

Howveer, I was really shocked to see Percy, who lives down the road. His mvd is is last stage, too, but his coat is dry and horrible. His back end, where the trousers were, is bald.
 
Nicki,
Hope the Viacutan works for Tedbear, he's such a beautiful boy! :flwr:

Chockie had dandruff last winter, and we've been giving her 3V Caps for months - she is completely cured. We've decided to give all 3 pups fish oil daily for coat maintenance.
 
Nicki, I hope that your dear TedBear is starting to improve. They go through so much don't they.
Julie and the girls
 
going bald

My hamlet is having the same problem ....he has SM but is med free right now. this is the second time he has lost all his hair (fur) did Tedbear recover and grow his coat back.

Thanks

Jayna
 
HI Jayna...thanks for your post...goodness I hope that it isn't a connection with the SM - it's not something I'd come across before with affected dogs.

Sorry to hear about your Hamlet {what a lovely name though :D }.

TedBear's skin and coat are vastly improved...we are keeping him on the Viacutan, it made a huge difference to him. He also has salmon {you can buy the trimmings in some supermarkets} and tinned sardines. regularly..

His coat is growing in, he looked a bit scruffy for a while as he had short patches and it was all standing up on end, but now it's a bit longer he looks much better!!

I hope Hamlet's coat will be better soon. The Viacutan is prescription only, I have to get it from my vet. It is quite expensive but lasts a long time...
 
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