Jack Russell Skin Problems

explain7

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I’ll definitely try to look into them all.

I took him back to the vet on Tuesday and requested his patient history - I found out that the correct diagnosis for his paws is pododermatitis and the vet reiterated that it is most likely a skin allergy but unless he has an allergy test she can’t tell me exactly what may be causing it. 

I did ask her about a skin scrape but she said it would be useless because he doesn’t have any signs of mites so it probably won’t help. 

She said the best she can do in the meantime is make him comfortable so she gave me different options of treatment but I tried to choose the one with the least side effects. 

He has been given piriton, a steroid cream and more apoquel.

I’ve started to eliminate even more foods from diet so I can see whether that’s what’s causing it - as there’s not much I can do if it’s environmental. 

He seems to be doing much better and isn’t itching as much but I’m going to look into other alternatives that may help.

balabooberlies

Hello

I have found that cutting out all grains and wheat helps.  They wouldn't eat it as a natural diet in the wild and even with the thousands of years of domestication it is not a natural choice.  So I buy grain and wheat free foods.  Don't bother with even expensive kibble or any kibble.  My dog doesn't like it and I don't blame her.  Heard somewhere that it has to be coated in something.  I have been trying for a long time to work out why she has weepy eyes.  All shop bought treats are now banned.  Problem disappears when the treats disappear.  I guess we are what we eat.  

I find that cooking for her, chicken and veg, fish and veg, lamb's liver, kidneys and hearts.  All with veg.  It works out at around the same price.  Every couple of days I will give her a good shop bought meal (Nature's Own etc) just incase I have missed something.  But the bottom line is that I trust that my own cooking is going to be more healthy than anything else.

I also, when I can afford it, buy her some frozen raw food for dogs.  I always notice that her 'deposits' are white afterwards which indicates bone but am sure that wolves eat bones.  I think it's an excess of calcium which is why it's not something that I give her daily.  Added to that it is not cheap and she loves the most expensive one.  Venison !

As this is a money saving site here is what I do.  I always look for reductions in the meat department and snap up anything I think we would all eat.  If it's a chicken then I cut it up and freeze it.  Ditto with all other meats except pork.  Don't know why........we're just not keen.  This is how I can justify feeding her this way.  It really doesn't cost anymore.  But I will pay full price if I have to.  As to time, I take out what I am going to cook her the night before, put it in a pan with water in the morning and by the time I have finished breakfast it is ready.

Piriton has been recommended by my vet for long term use but it's expensive.  Buy the generic one but speak to pharmacist.  They will not sell it to you if you tell them it is for your dog.

Sudocreme is great on areas a dog cannot lick.

I agree with skin scrape tests.  Must rule out things we cannot see.  Mites etc.

How did I get here ?

Lady in a pet shop was asking for advice about her 2 dogs, both had skin problems.  He took her to the well known brand she was buying and made her read the ingredients.  4% DERIVATIVE of meat.  What was the other 96 % if they only put a derivative of meat.

At the time my dog suffered terribly with eye ulcers.  Eye specialist seen many times.  The next step was to score the eye causing deliberate scaring in an attempt to stop ulcers from forming.  I never understood that and was more than reluctant.  That day I threw away all the dog food and started cooking.  He was 2 or 3 at the time.  He lived to almost 16.  He never had another eye ulcer from that day.

I wish you well and hope this sounded helpful because that is what is meant.

bala

madlyn

As others have said there may be many factors that are causing this.
My JR had a similar issues and as advised by a vet I gave her half an antihistamine each day (now every other day) and a tea spoon of YUMEGA ITCHY DOG over her food and this works for her.