Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a first time Dobe owner - he's a great dog - BUT, has developed a rash and I'll describe it:

bumps down his back, dry skin, a bit of hair loss
bumps on his leg and chest
He itches

The vet gave him antibiotics and said all is well - a week after they came back (not going back to that vet). We've ruled out a lot of things - EXCEPT shampoo. We've been washing him with an oatmeal shampoo about once a week. Is this too often for Dobes? Could that be it? Can anyone recommend a treatment?
Thanks!

Hi and congrats on being a new Dobe owner. I don't have one but I'll try and help you out a little. First... yes... bathing your Dobe everyweek is a bit much which is causing his skin and fur to dry out. Excess shampooing strips the fur of it's natural oils that help prevent hot spots and such. Is there any reason for doing so? Is there any evidence of flea or other insect infestation that may be causing the rash and bumps? If your dog has allergies or is allergic to fleas(it only takes a bite or two)that too can cause the bumps and rash. If it is an allergy you will need to find the culprit whether it is seasonal or food related. What kind of food are you feeding your dog? If the cause is seasonal allergies you can have your vet prescribe an antihistimine and see how that works with your dog. For now I would stop bathing your Dobe every week and see if the skin condition clears itself. I am a big fan of DermCaps. They are a fish oil supplement that can be given to the dog or squirted on his food. They do wonders at helping to have healthy skin and coat and also will help to prevent some of the itching. They can be found at places on the net like JBPet Wholesale or Drs. Foster&Smith. They are also found in pet stores but most pet stores highly overpriced. Hope some of this helps and please post back with any additional questions.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Thanks so much!! We had to kennel him for two weekends in a row and washed him when we got him back. We treat well for ticks and fleas - not that. He eats Iams puppy - he's 6 months old - so, probably not that. Vets said no to worms because he's active. Our breeder warned us to not wash him often - so, I'm wonering if that's not it. Thank you much! By the way we love our Dobe - they are the sweetest dogs - protective, but want nothing more than to just be near their owners.

If you don't get get shampoo washed out of a dogs fur completely it can cause what yo uare seeing. Also, please don't rule out food. Iams has a lot of corn in it as well as other grains taht are common causes of allergies in dogs. One of my dogs is allergic to beef and she gets hives with even the smallest slip up on our parts when we feed her table scraps.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

First of all, I agree that bathing once a week is too much. I bathe mine only once or twice a year unless there is some special reason they require one (showing, got into something disgusting, etc).

I would be very suspicious that your puppy has a staph infection. It responded to the antibiotics after all. He just wasn't on them for long enough in all likelihood. Puppies that get stressed like he probably did when he was kenneled, and their immune systems aren't fully developed as puppies commonly get staph infections. He would probably need a longer bout of antibiotics (cephalexin for 3 weeks).

I also agree with the other poster that cautioned about Iams. It's a lousy food. I would definitely look into a premium food with human grade ingredients like Canidae, Wellness, Innova, California Natural, etc. Dog food is one of those cases where you pretty much get what you pay for. You buy a cheap food, you get a cheap food. There are many much better foods out there.

I will agree 100% with Mary. It sounds like staph to me too, and I would definately switch to a better food - no corn or wheat. You really have to look at the ingredients - not the front of the bag.

Tell your vet that The Dobe experts say that they need to be on antibiotics for at least 3 weeks continuously for staph!

I also agree with adding something like a fishoil caplet once a day - it is good for the skin.

Thanks - and I'll let you know how it turns out...

An expert doberman owner and breeder gave me this advice and I follow this exactly and it's work perfect for me , so I am passing it on to you.

these are her dogs http://www.geocities.com/shalmarchesters/dobe2.html

FIRST:
I do not use any dog shampoos on them at all.. I feel that dog shampoos are the worst.. toomuch perfume, to many dyes, etc. and a big fat waste of money. I use Pantene Pro v vitamin shampoo..have for years and it make the coats luxurious. I also use a product on the dilutes called "Eqyss Rehydrater" (you can find it at petsmart). It is a horse product (safest in the world to use on dogs.. more ph) it is cruelty free and smells wonderful and just keeps the coats "fed" and in great shape...

I do not use cloth collars either.. they get dirty, full of bacteria and can cause eruptions on the neck.. rolled leather collars , light, with a small role are better.. and make sure the metal doesnt hit the skin. no flea collars either.. if you do have cloth collars, you should wash it a couple times a week..best way is to tie it up in a pillow case and toss it in the washer.

I bathe every other weekend.. in tepid water, in the tub.. in between are wipe downs with the eqyss and the aloe baby wipes. I never towel rub either, because I have a fawn.. we blot only...and crate til dry. (so they cant rub on the ground, the rug, etc and load the clean coat up with debris) clean collar goes on after the bath. keeps the neck zits away...

SECOND:
(try changing food)
I feed nutro natural choice lamb and rice, small bites. I think it might be the food.