Question by raidergirl1965: Golden retriever losing hair on his back and tail?
We have an 8 year old Golden that has lost hair on his back and tail and gets goopy eyes. We have tried frontline, advantage, and advantix. He has been to 4 different vets over the last 2 years and nothing they prescribe has helped him he has been given eye ointment, eye drops, several different prescriptions nothing seems to work for him. He is a wonderful dog very well behaved and loving. We just feel sorry for him because he always seems to be itchy and biting at himself. We have gotten “bitter tasting spray” to spray on him but when that wears off he is right back at it. He gets an oatmeal bath once a month (we were told bathing him too much will take away the oils in his skin) We give him benidryl but after a few days that doesn’t seem to help him much either. Please any sugestions out there are welcome. We love him and do not want him suffering. We have spent a few thousand dollars trying to help him and would be happy to spend more if it will help him. They just keep telling us he has very bad allergies.
Shelby: he has been to 4 different vets in the last 2 years. We have tried every food that has been recomended to us by vets and pet food stores including all natural and organic foods.
All the vets we have been to have private practice small vets. I would not take my pet to the large chain. He has had injections they lasted maybe a day or 2.

Father of 2: thank you. I’m going to start trying olive oil tomorrow. He has already eaten tonight or I would start now.
Freezin: I’m going to start looking for that shampoo tomorrow thanks.
Jimbs: What do I do with the liserene? feed it to him or put it on his fur?

Best answer:

Answer by Shelby G
could be products ur using, food. . .we cant tell though we cant see or help ur dog so take him to a vet.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkAEin7wKYzJPBD3FtL2If3sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081212203341AAusoGh

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Question by Ashley: Which is the healthier dog; a golden retriever, or a jack russel terrier?
which one is less prone to that breeds “known health conditions”?

Golden retriever: from http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/goldenretriever.htm :
“Prone to cancer, hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, heart problems and congenital eye defects. Skin allergies are common in Golden Retrievers and often require veterinary attention. Gains weight easily, do not overfeed.”

Jack Russel Terrier: from http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/jackrussellterrier.htm

Some are prone to dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases, deafness, Legg Perthes-a disease of the hip joints of small breeds of dogs.

i need to choose which to get (as a puppy), but i want the one that is less prone to health problems, or has “cheap-ish” medication, because i dont want to end up with a puppy that can get sick or hurt easily.

Best answer:

Answer by Aduial
That depends on the individual dog and the quality of breeding.

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Question by LuvMyCody: My golden retriever had an allergy skin test 2 weeks ago?
and his blood was sent to Heska labs in CO for additional testing. It came back just 5 days later and the vet is being very vague about the results. He now wants to try a food allergy test because he feels allergy shots won’t help. I asked to see the results from the lab and fortunately that particular vet was not there, so they gave me the results (his tech gave them to be with great hesitation). I am curious. Has anyone had their dog tested with just the blood test and how many allergens they actually test for. I have been doing some research and see where others have been tested for foods, grains, environmental, but it appears my dog was just tested for a few things (no foods at all). Is this vet just looking for a sucker to pay off his new beach house (that would be me) or do they only test for a few things? Please advise ASAP… I love my golden more than anything and don’t like being taken by someone who knows I would do anything for my baby.

Best answer:

Answer by galloping . greys
I would definatly go to another Vet.

Allergies are serious business, and if your Vet is just going to not decide to tell your results, then there is something wrong.

Especially if your dog isn’t allergic and they decide to make you pay for expensive allergy treatment, they could just be wanting money.

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Question by christy_7148: Please help, I think my vet might be wrong, what’s wrong with my Golden Retriever? Please read.?
Vet says its allergies. She scratches herself and then it turns into a staph infection on her skin. Sometimes it seems that she gets little skin infections without even over-scratching. She doesnt have fleas.

Last night we took her to the vet because the entire left side of her face from under her ear down to her chin was wet, and through her fur I could see that the skin was just raw. Bright pink/red and draining. The doc said something about a “hot spot” and that its still allergies, and gave her antibiotics. It was so bad that they had to shave the fur and now she just sits with her head tilted because it hurts for even her ear to touch it. She also had some eye drainage, wont play or eat a lot.

Theres another dog in the house (my sister’s dog), and they play-fight very rough. Its a yellow lab puppy (almost the size of my golden) thats out of control, and they bite and scratch. The vet said no, but is it possible that she got this from playing so rough?
She never did any testing… she just looks at it and says “yeah thats what it looks like”. Im not saying that shes definitely wrong, but I just want some reassurance before I get her in for a 2nd opinion.

Best answer:

Answer by lexie <3
im not sure. maybe you should take her to a better vet/ search the local vet clinics. you might have to travel a little ways but it would be worth it to get your dog the proper medical attention. this sounds nothing like allergies to me…

-alexis <3

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Question by hillaryc59bc: My 4and half year old Golden Retriever has been scratching herself on & off all day long for about 2 weeks.?
We gave her a treatment for fleas last weekend. For a day or so, this seemed to help. Now she’s itching & scrathing again. She has allergies including dust mites which we think now is the cause of her problem. We will be taking her to the vetenarian probably in a few days…when we get the time to. Meanwhile…does anybody out there now how to treat dust mites on dogs. I hate to see her suffer. Suggestions much appreciated!!
We take both of our goldens to the vet regularly and both DO have allergies that include dust mites, mold. Like one of the people that responded suggested that she has seasonal allergies. We have given her Claritan (an antihistamine which we are out of now and are going to get), and this does help both of the dogs. We do consider ourselves responsible and good “parents” to our dogs. Thanks for all your suggestions and helpful answers!!

Best answer:

Answer by Jeremy R
have her checked for mange

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