Q&A: Sounds silly – but what is the best way to completely dry a dog (lab) after a bath or swimming?
Question by SuzieD: Sounds silly – but what is the best way to completely dry a dog (lab) after a bath or swimming?
My yellow lab is constantly getting yeast ear infections and also yeast skin infections. She is allergic to yeast, found in an intradermal skin test. She has been getting allergy shots for years, antihistamines, prednisone, baths, ear cleaning, ear drops, etc. The dermatologist just told me to try and get her as dry as possible after baths or swimming to try and avoid the yeast growing. I don’t think she would allow bow drying because of the noise – she is terrified of vacuum cleansers. I towel her off – but was wondering if any one had any more ideas? Very itchy dog.
She is 8 and just had a complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, and a thyroid check. It is done every year by either my vet or the dermatologist. Blood work 100% normal, including her thyroid levels.
Best answer:
Answer by Beth F
do condition training until shems use to the blow dryer. Talk to a trainer about the best way to do this with your dog.
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Tagged with: After • Bath • Best • completely • silly • Sounds • swimming
Filed under: Skin Allergies in Dogs
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On my soapbox again. I would insist upon a thryoid blood panel. Many times allergies can be traced to a thyroid hormone problem and I’m amazed at how few vets even consider this.
Ask your vet to do a thyroid panel, sending the blood to Michigan State (insist upon this) for a complete analysis. It would not surprise me to find your dog has at least a low normal reading.
If so, insist upon treating it for at least an 8 week test.
I’ll put mine in a crate and set a fan a couple feet away. My dogs are used to having fans blowing in the house, especially during summer. They don’t like being placed in front of one, but they dry fairly quickly and then I let them out.
my dog constantly was getting yeasty ears and since putting apple cider vinegar on her food she has not had one ear problem … my dog went to an allergist and received shots for a year, only effect was a decrease in my bank account … she has been on antihistamines and prednisone for over ten years … and since the apple cider vinegar she is not itching and no medications … i looked after my friends pug who also had funky ears and after a month on the apple cider vinegar his ears too cleared … i tried adding it to the water as is suggested but my dog did not like that … so now she gets 1/4 teaspoon on both her breakfast and supper kibble … she eats it no problem … i also changed her food to no grains … and to dry the ears i would just dry inside with a tissue … the inside of the ear does not have to be 100% dry but dry enough it is not a moist environment to allow yeast to flourish … good luck …