I feed Merrick kibble with a couple tbsp. of chicken or turkey + vegetables to make it more palatable. However, I have a terrier and Merrick might be a little pricey for feeding a bigger dog. You might ask your vet about a supplement for the dry, flakey skin. My dog has a fish oil supplement called Snip Tips. This might not be appropriate for your dog because of the pancreatitis. Do you give her yogurt just for mealtime appeal?

I know people who feed Costco's Kirkland food and are happy with that.

Did the vet not recommend a low fat diet after the pancreatitis episode?

No, annztoo, the vet didn't talk about changing diet. She was on the same food long before and a couple of months after her illness with no other ill effects so the thought was she must have got into something and it hit her harder because of her age. I lived in the country and there were foster dogs so she may have been exposed to or got into something. And one of my roommates was a moron who could easily have given her table food or done something else foolish. Thankfully, I don't have to deal with him/them any more.

Nothing definitive in her bloodwork, the vet did see shadows on her xrays in the general area of her pancreas but as she has visible external lumps there it could have been that. I didn't choose to get an ultra sound because of her age, and if she did end up with cancer it would just be a case of making her comfortable until the end. If she was younger, maybe - but I can't see putting old dogs through a lot to get a little more time. Quality time over quantity is better, I think. Even though it hurts to let them go.

The yogurt is something recommended years ago on a rottie list ( email group) to help with with the toots - some folks on the list called them fartweilers. She isn't always gassy but she does like the yogurt.

socks, I will research the Snip Tips - maybe in small quantities fish oil will be helpful.

Thanks!

Dawn

If I read the OP correctly, the only symptom the Op says is currently present is dry flakey skin and the OP reports a recent change in homes, and water. ("She's been eating it for 2 1/2 months this go around and cleans her
bowl. She's been blowing her coat like crazy, which I attributed to the
crazy hot weather. Now she is getting dandruff flakes though."

So, 2 1/2 months ago she changed food, water, and homes.

My suggestion is to go slow in changing her diet. Is there any possibility that she is getting into something in the new yard or new house? I trust you are not having to heat the house yet, or that must be considered with dry skin. A phone call to your Vet to ask if you could/should simply add some fish oil or similar to the dog's food seems in order.

If you ask ten different folks for a food recommendation, you'll likely get ten different well-meaning suggestions... different being the operable word.

Best of luck to you and your dog.

SaltiDawg, the flaking is the newest thing but she's shedding quite a lot still. It was the combination that had me questioning diet. She didn't do that a couple of ears ago when we used this food, so I thought maybe they had made some slight changes....or just that we all change as we age. There would have been ample time for adjustments, don't you think? Or is it still early days?

I know for sure she isn't getting into things here because she's in my room unless I have taken her out to the back yard and I stay out with her. Definitely no heat in the house !! And the AC is set to 80 degrees. Plus as an only dog she can't try and mooch anyone else's leftovers : )

I live in the High Desert of Southern California so it has been and will be hot for a while yet. I take her out mornings and evenings when it's less brutal temperatures, unless she needs to go out in between - that happens rarely, mostly she sleeps.

I will check with the vet - I looked up the Snip Tips and was thinking perhaps the dose for half her weight would help but not be too much.

Any diet changes will definitely be slow, probably not until next month if nothing changes with the shedding and dandruff. Still, though, I would be interested in hearing about possible good food choices.

Thanks,

Dawn

Saltidawg, you are so right. I have just gone through my tenth bag of new dog (Merrick's Grain free Salmon and Sweet Potato) in an attempt to resolve my pup's dry itchy skin. I've been careful about slowly transitioning with the previous food but each one leads to new and different challenges. This is complemented by various ointments, flea treatments and supplements. Ten different experts recommended each brand and at this point, I'm thinking I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Has any one ever recommended the Raw Diet? A great rottie info sight is Rottweiler.Net give your baby some butt scratches for me, I know how they love that.....

nannygoat18,

Many dog breeders, including me, have concluded that dog food is improperly blamed for all kinds of "issues." While not a sufficient indication of a quality food by itself, AAFCO approval is essential to making sure minimum standards are addressed. (Most all kibbles are so approved... not all kibbles are high dietary quality.)

Just out of curiosity, how often do you bathe your dog and what do you bathe him with?

I have come to that conclusion as well. The dog initially had fleas which spread to my daughter and both were itching and scratching. A two prong attack (flea tx and diet) was launched with interim consults . Now the dog is not scratching but my daughter continues to get bites. Maybe I've been treating the wrong patient.

How often do you bathe your dog and what do you bathe him with?

Twice a month. We've tried Earthbath , Malaseb and Buddy Wash Lavender (all vet suggestions). The itching intensified and raw areas started appearing with all of them. The vet wants to prescribe an $$$ one on the next visit. Now I'm worried about the iatrogenic effect.

I'm familiar with Malaseb - not the other.

I'm not a Vet, but in my experience bathing twice a month is way more than I have ever done. I would suggest talking to your Vet about possible allergies - maybe associated with your move. Possibly an antihistamine and/or a probiotic would address the itching and dry skin. (Both are OTC and inexpensive.)

I thought it was excessive as well. I've never bathed a dog that often but I've seen 3 vets (one a dermatologist) and they all concurred with this regimen. They suggested changing the food to deal with potential allergens. I will decrease the bathing frequency and try Benadryl and probiotic supplements. I've followed your posts and feel that you offer wise and measured advice based on many years of canine experience. Thank you for the suggestions.

BTW, no move involved.

"BTW, no move involved." Oops. That was the OP.

I would at least call your Vet and leave a Msg to the effect you're starting an antihistamine. The fact that you've seen THREE Vets and they are all on the same page says to me that you're doing everything right.

Sorry Salti, I didn't get email notice that there was activity on this thread.

I like to have the vet in the loop so I did contact him before doing anything. He suggested waiting because 1) Benadryl may stop the itching, but mask the cause and 2) the puppy is so small that the most effective dose would have a long lasting sedative effect. I purchased the $$ grain free food upon his advice and that's his first line of defense against allergies. Given that, I am feeding Merrick salmon/sweet potato and giving yogurt (ok'd by vet). Meds and probiotics are tabled for future consideration.

I'm following the vet's advice except I've reduced the bathing frequency. VERY doggy smell at this point. I may have to cave……..

This is just a thought and a shot in the dark really, but I noticed the Gentle Giant food has brewers yeast in it. It's used in kibble as a probiotic and normally is good. However, when I had my dog tested for outdoor allergies the results said she's allergic to all yeast. When our Vet talked to us about it, she said it was "fairly" common, can start at any age and it can make a dog smell. For our dog, the symptoms included her ears but her skin was also very itchy. Her being allergic to yeast was the last thing I would have thought but since changing her food to one that doesn't have brewers yeast in it, the issues have ceased. We spent a small fortune trying to find the right food for her, but the one she ended up responding the best to was Canidae Pure Salmon and it's really made a difference. She sheds less and her coat is soft and beautiful. A lot of people like the Taste of the Wild brand and it's a good food at an affordable price but our dog didn't respond as well on it.

I ran to check our food and it doesn't have brewers yeast. Hoping for similar results.

My girl friend feeds her dog with the dry food and adds coconut oil to. The dog loves it and doesnt eat the food without coconut oil. Not sure of the brand name of the dog food sorry.

Hmmm...maybe the website I saw the ingredients on was mistaken. It was just a thought. I hadn't heard of Gentle Giant before and went to check it out on their website, it seems like it's a pretty good option for the price. Nice that they are going to offer it on Amazon too. If price and being rurally located is limiting your options, try Chewy.com. They have a huge selection, 2 day delivery and it's free if you spend 49.00+, they sell supplements too. Another thought is to switch to a fish based food which is known to help with skin and coat as well.

Thanks, lukkiirish, I may try Canidae Salmon and will definitely check out Chewy.com. She isn't stinky or always itching, just dandruffy. of course it is possible to be sensitive to something and not technically allergic. Her shedding is down quite a bit with no changes, but the dandruff persists.

You're welcome, it's just a thought. The Canidae is a bit pricey, but there are several good brands available that offer the seafood. Taste of the Wild comes to mind as one.

Also, there is a store by us that offers specialty foods and supplements for dogs. They sell a supplement powder to help condition a dog's skin and coat and it's a powder you put in their food. They sell it both in their store and online. It may be an easier alternative than changing foods. Before you buy it, you can always give them a call to get more information about it. The number is on the site. I would ask to speak to Tom, his wife is nice but not as knowledgable.

Healthy Dogma

We feed Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream with some 1/4c. cooked Chicken or Cooked beef on top with warm water. And a raw beef back bone everyday. Our Dobie/ lab has beautiful fur and teeth. Coconut oil is good too. See dogfoodadvisor.com for all brand ratings.