Dog Skin Care Advice Please

sarah*a

My wee terrier has Cushings Disease and is losing his fur

At the moment it's not too bad although it's rapidly getting worse - we can now see distinct loss week by week whereas before it was over months.

He's not bothered by it, isn't itching or scratching, and his skin is in good condition (we have it checked monthly by the vet). I would like to keep it that way - especially when the summer comes and he's got sun shining directly onto skin for the first time.

Does anyone have any experience of cushings and/or recommendations? The vet said to give him glucosamine which helps from the inside but is there anything I can put on the outside bits? Can I use human moisturiser and sunscreens (non perfumed of course)?

Poor little thing - as if he didn't have enough to deal with (he's got Diabetes, Cataracts - so is practically blind, is partially deaf and is losing his sense of smell ) he's gonna look like a pot-bellied pig as well

TIA

KVet

Is he on any treatment for the Cushings? Sometimes they never get their full haircoat back.

hotpot1000

You would do well to find a group for cushing's dog owners, maybe on yahoo, I have always found lots of helpful advice from dog health groups for my own dog's condition.

sarah*a

KVet wrote: »

Is he on any treatment for the Cushings? Sometimes they never get their full haircoat back.

No - not being treated for it. Our vet said that the treatments for Cushings were really just aesthetic and not worth the money or the stress to put him through another barrage of tests.

I'm not worried about the hair loss - and neither is he (dog or vet ) but I do want to look after his skin now that it is exposed to the elements.

We have a couple of coats for him to wear in the winter months but he won't want these on when it's warm.

KVet

I really would treat him for the Cushings. It will exponentially reduce his lifespan and make him more susceptible to secondary illnesses due to the high doses of steroids his body would be under. Treatment is totally not cosmetic!!! It really does help and I've seen so many dogs lives turned around. The most commonly used drug in the UK is Vetoryl, they have a website here http://www.canine-cushings.co.uk/index.htm with other info about the disease. Plus, glucosanibe is excellent for joint health, but I've never heard it being used as a skin supplement before

KVet

Ooh, plus his diabetes could be made much more unstable with untreated Cushings. Worth having a wee think about! Sometimes in really old dogs though with multiple problems it's ok to leave it but I've never seen them do well or last that long.

sarah*a

KVet wrote: »

glucosanibe is excellent for joint health, but I've never heard it being used as a skin supplement before

I meant Cod Liver Oil The other one gets the glucosamine for her joints

KVet wrote: »

Ooh, plus his diabetes could be made much more unstable with untreated Cushings. Worth having a wee think about! Sometimes in really old dogs though with multiple problems it's ok to leave it but I've never seen them do well or last that long.

He's really really old with multiple problems (has pancreatic disease as well as everything else )

We do have monthly check ups with the vet and I trust him to tell me if I need to give him more medication (He's not afraid to take our money if he thinks it's necessary ) His diabetes is just about controlled at the moment but I know it will never be completely stable

I really just need some advice on keeping his skin in good condition now it doesn't have a fur coat