[Way2Frank]

Got a good yellow lab at our place who’s 8 yrs old. Every year, usually late Summer, she gets this atrocious skin issue which results in dry skin patches, loss of fur in those patches. I studied on this each year thinking I’m diagnosing either yeast issues or allergies or whatever and treating it as best I can with natural ointments and shampoos or probiotic supplements in her food, but it never clears up until Fall begins. As soon as the weather cools she seems to molt handfuls of fur and quickly grows in her winter fur, clear of any skin issues.
She stays clear and fine until the same time the following year.
I even took her to the vet one year and they just suggested some steroid shot.

Anyone have a similar cycle with your dog? Would like to know how I can make her more comfortable during those episodes because whatever it is has her itching the whole time it lasts.

 

[1Abbeynormal]

Got a good yellow lab at our place who’s 8 yrs old. Every year, usually late Summer, she gets this atrocious skin issue which results in dry skin patches, loss of fur in those patches. I studied on this each year thinking I’m diagnosing either yeast issues or allergies or whatever and treating it as best I can with natural ointments and shampoos or probiotic supplements in her food, but it never clears up until Fall begins. As soon as the weather cools she seems to molt handfuls of fur and quickly grows in her winter fur, clear of any skin issues.
She stays clear and fine until the same time the following year.
I even took her to the vet one year and they just suggested some steroid shot.

Anyone have a similar cycle with your dog? Would like to know how I can make her more comfortable during those episodes because whatever it is has her itching the whole time it lasts.

 

[1Abbeynormal]

I love labs, had a chocolate rescue lab that was all heart and smiles! Sounds like it might be an allergy to something that is blooming or mature late summer to fall....something in the yard or fields if she runs loose and has access to? Or maybe if you live in the hot south it's like a heat rash? Good luck and God bless!

 

[robin416]

Get a new vet. One that hasn't been practicing since the dark ages. It's liable to cost some to ferret out the issues but something isn't right and it's going to take someone with a bit of curiosity to figure it out.

 

[Pony]

I used to have a big ol' yeller lab named George. He had skin issues from time to time.

We would make sure his fur was brushed regularly, and when his skin started acting up, we'd bathe him with sulfur shampoo. In retrospect, I suppose using sulfur dust might have been helpful, too. Didn't know about it back then, but it sure does seem to help with dermatitis.

 

[Way2Frank]

I love labs, had a chocolate rescue lab that was all heart and smiles! Sounds like it might be an allergy to something that is blooming or mature late summer to fall....something in the yard or fields if she runs loose and has access to? Or maybe if you live in the hot south it's like a heat rash? Good luck and God bless!

Yes, I’m sure it’s a bloom or an increase of some organic something. Been 8 years. Each year I come at it from a different angle. One year I battled it as a yeast thing. Next as a possible flea thing (though she’s rarely had any) thinking she’s just super allergic to their ‘secretions’. One year went the dietary probiotics. Pretty much spitballing anything and everything. Nothing made a dent or shortened the issue. I feel for the girl when it’s on her. Obviously very uncomfortable.
But as soon as Fall comes, it goes away.

 

[Way2Frank]

Get a new vet. One that hasn't been practicing since the dark ages. It's liable to cost some to ferret out the issues but something isn't right and it's going to take someone with a bit of curiosity to figure it out.

Yeah, I never went back to that vet.

 

[Way2Frank]

I used to have a big ol' yeller lab named George. He had skin issues from time to time.

We would make sure his fur was brushed regularly, and when his skin started acting up, we'd bathe him with sulfur shampoo. In retrospect, I suppose using sulfur dust might have been helpful, too. Didn't know about it back then, but it sure does seem to help with dermatitis.

That’s something I’ve not heard of. I’ll read up on it. Thanks for the lead.

 

[kalmara]

If you can feed raw food this could help. Also giving a fish oil tablet daily can be beneficial

 

[Way2Frank]

If you can feed raw food this could help. Also giving a fish oil tablet daily can be beneficial

Thanks. Yes, I’ve been giving her fish oil for the past few years. Funnily I was suspecting she was allergic to fish oil, but when I discontinued it for a month with no change in condition I decided it may not solve her skin issue but I’m sure it’s beneficial in other ways so I kept her on it.
As for raw food, I haven’t done a full conversion to total raw but mid summer this year I started her on a no grain regimen. Had her on Orijen no grain dry food for awhile. She ate it but didn’t seem thrilled by it. So I tried TSC’s brand of no grain (they offer a $1 bag first time you buy). She really likes their no grain. And rather than a dollop of additional canned wet food mixed in, I now add grated carrots, or chopped spinach, or broccoli. We have chickens so she gets a few eggs mixed in per week.

My latest thought is maybe next year maybe a month before this skin thing usually kicks in I’ll start taking her to a professional groomer and see if they end up doing something I’m not thinking of to mitigate this annual skin thing.

I’m also thinking of trying an ozone treatment which is supposed to wipe out all organic elements like mold, mildew or any possible allergens that I’m not seeing.

I’m hell bent to figure this out. That furry little joy doesn’t deserve that level of discomfort every year.