Lab Skin Problems

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions or ideas I might have missed. My black lab has terrible skin/allergy problems. She goes through these episodes where she gets these crusty skin blotches and chunks of her hair fall out. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter or hot or cold it happens. I have changed her dog food, eliminated people food yet it still happens, we have done sulfur baths with no results, she is currently on Apoquel and going through one of her episodes right now, with the cost of Apoquel I don’t know how much longer I can afford her on it especially with her having outbreaks all though not as bad. Any thoughts ideas maybe some old school vet or dog trainer tips? Thanks

This worked for us https://www.amazon.com/Goodwinol-Shampoo-Cats-Dogs-oz/dp/B001ICVYHC

We've got a house dog cocker that is going through the same thing. She just ran out of Apoquel and someone at work suggested zyrtec. I've done some research and got dosage info and she had her first dose last nite. We'll see how it goes but initial research shows many dog have seen some relief. One thing worth mentioning....DO NOT use the zyrtec D, it's toxic to dogs.

I used Apoquel on my JRT and it helped some but not as well as Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega 3 supplement I switched to. It comes in small, medium or large dog dosage size. Just one capsule per day and I saw results within 2 days. I have been using daily with a meal it since last June. One month of Apoquel cost more than a year supply of the Vetoquinol. I buy it online and it comes with free shipping. You do not need a Vet prescription.
http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/content/triglyceride-omega#tab_section_0
This is one of the cheaper places I found it and they have free shipping. I cut the capsule and then put the fish oil directly on the food at first.
https://www.chewy.com/vetoquinol-care-triglyceride-omega/dp/57310

Drugs will just mask the issue

Thanks guys

Fatty acids will help. Not sure where you're located, but a visit to a dermatologist for allergy testing might be a big help.

Not cheap, but neither is apoquel. If you're near DFW there's a good one in Dallas. Probably true in all the major cities.

would Benadryl work for this ? My lab licks/chews her feet, my vet put her on Apoquel too $80.00 for 30 !! I have found it online for $65. My vet said he would call them with a prescription, but still, DAM !!!

I may try the Omega 3

Judd, what is the medicine name and how many MG is the Zyrtec, is it 10mg Cetrizene Hydrochloride? I take one a day to "help" with my allergies.

Cow Doc, feel free to chime in.

Sulfur baths will not help.

Two good medications are; Terbinafine and Keflex.

Terbinafine is used to treat infections caused by fungus. Terbinafine, sold under the brand name Lamisil among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat ringworm, pityriasis versicolor, and fungal infections.

You can buy Lamisil and place on the "spots". Oral medication works best for dogs.

Keflex - Cephalexin, an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family, is used to treat infections caused by bacteria,
including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.

I agree that both of these are good, BUT, they're treating the secondary problem. The root problem here is most likely allergy.

antihistamines can help some dogs. And I've used several different ones. Some dogs, like people, respond better to one than the other.

I've never seen this dog, but based off what info we've got, I'd bet allergy testing and allergy shots/drops would help her.

TxBuck, does she respond to steroids? They're not really a long term option, but most dogs that respond to that will respond favorably to cyclosporine. It's another immune modulating drug with less long term issues than roids. It may not be significantly cheaper than the Apoquel though.

I've personally never prescribed Apoquel. It came out when I was doing mixed practice but availability was very spotty. I never got my hands on any before I started playing with big animals full time.

We have switched to cetirizine (zyrtec) and I personally think we see much better results.

I also think omega-3 supplements help out too. Don't waste money on fish oil supplements for animals. Go to the health food store or walmart and just get the ones for humans. It is cheaper and a much higher quality.

could be yeast infections. Our oldest lab has this problem.
What are you bathing her in?