livebearer_breeder Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Hey guys, since moving into the city with my pup from palmy our lifestyle change has been quite rough on him. He used to have a lot of space and land and local places to play and wonder, never got sick or had any eating issues, now living central city wellington for work and study, he is stuck in a small concrete jungle, the local greenery has caused his skin a lot of trouble, its been almost a year and thousands of dollars, from homeopathic remedies to hypoallergenic foods to emergency vet visits, insane online animal remedy purchases and full shaves and steriodal creams and now to the beach every night for a salt water bath but nothing has helped and slowly he has just got more miserable and more stressful and needing far more time and care than i can give him as a full time worker and student. He used to be the happiest dog and i always looked at him like hes my little boy but now his white under hairs are stained red from blood from his skin from nawing, hes torn huge patches of hair out of his back and bleeds and oozes constantly, his food sensitivities have sky rocketed and im at the point where im considering giving him up. Anyone have any advice for me? He is a Rotti X 3 year old non neutered male and even large sturdy head cones he has destroyed in order to get at his skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aotealotl Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 do you have parents or friends in Palmy which could look after your dog for a while to see if he will recover and heal ? sounds really sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Have you tried raw feeding on a single protein diet? Check out rawessentials.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I think this is stress related. Instead of the life your dog has been used to where he could run free he is now cooped up. He could be biting because he is bored. Do you not have someone who could look after him for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiefishcpl Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Have you thought about getting another dog? I know one is usually enough to handle, but he's probably very lonely. Perhaps having a friend may help?. Can you perhaps advertise for someone to take him out for walks....I would image a "dog loving" teenager would do him the world of good especially if you can't all the time. Our dog adores our teenager, they have this amazing bond. I swear she even understands his "teenage vocabulary" :slfg: Good luck and hugs and kisses to your "pal" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I don't think a second dog would be a good answer if one dog is high maintenance and expensive enough! Have you seen a skin specialist? Might be worth the dollars to get the skin expert on to him. Some dogs just are horribly high maintenance and skin problems are the most frustrating to manage. Allergies can happen at any time, its quite probable this would have happened at your old place a few years down the track anyway. It takes time to build up a sensitivity, so it is most common to see them around 2-3yrs + No real help but loads of sympathy :tears: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted May 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Like i said, i live in a concrete jungle, so i really could not consider subjecting another small furry life to this kind of living, i really hate it myself, the city causes me anxiety and makes me feel like im choking which im sure in a way translates to him, we are very close. A little light at the end of the tunnel, ive managed to find and fill in the last 2 weeks a large lifestyle home 15mins outside the city, 100 acres. My expenses are going to get quite high but hopefully the saving grace will be the room and happyness of my boy and on the bright side i get an ensuite, private deck, spa and horses. His skin seems to be doing alot better since going to the beach every night but he certainly is not very smart, eats a lot of seawater and then spends the next hour throwing it up happily. He seems in high spirits atm but still does not look like his usual adorable self. Yes i have had him on meat only diets which was redic $$ and then expensive hypoallergenic foods which was also redic $$ already had 5 vet visits this year and have purchased everything the vet could possibly think of. Really the only food that he doesn't react badly too or get diarrhea from is purina large breed, just a basic supermarket brand and i supplement that with butcher cut offs and large bones and knuckles for him to chew on i also have small chewable dog supplements for his hair and health which have made whats left of his coat lovely. This combo seems to cause him no gastro stress and pick up-able secretions. Everything else, including the main stream "high qaulity" brands end up creating a lot of smelly nasty mess. Having a dog eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 One of my daughter's cats seemed to develop an allergy and skin problem. They tried all sorts of diets and potions until she realised it was a particular brand of flea treatment she had been using. Problem solved. Hopefully your dog will improve in the new environment. If you do as well then it is a double bonus. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted May 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Yeah weve been covering things like that, hes never had flees and ive constantly treated him with the same brand and quantity and it would have caused a reaction on the skin there sooner or later on his neck according to the vet, where as all his chewing and discomfort is his backside/tail/general back end atm. Yeah we will see how we go over the next few weeks, ill continue to feed him what causes him the least distress and continue with these salt water treatments and hopefully he will pick up, otherwise im just not sure. No doubt i will love this place! so sick of moving fishtanks though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Sounds lovely, good luck for your move! I am jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted May 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 You know what a big home means!!!! big tanks! yussss i miss them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 So sad to read about your dog. Keep us posted and I sure hope he gets better! Take care, Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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