Hi everyone,
Around this time every year Carmel (lab, vizsla mix) gets dry flakey skin. He spends much of the early summer rubbing up against furniture and scratching. what type of dietary supliments could I use to help him through this. He is only outside about 2 hours a day so I don't think overexposure to the sun is a big problem. We also live in the Chicago area so it is actually very humid right about now so I don't think it is the dry weather.

Thanks
Mike

Well, first of all everyone will want to know what he is eating now - kibble, treats, cookies, extras like table scraps...
http://bestsmileys.com/writer/1.gif

It could be something he's eating, or it could be something he's not eating.

If it happens every early summer, it could be environmental allergies which are sometimes helped by avoiding corn and wheat, or adding fish or flax oil to the food. Some dogs need medication, others, like mine, just need a strict diet.

For instance, my fiance gave Wellie a wheat tortilla this weekend and he spent the whole night scratching his ears. :(

I concur with everything Diver has said. Sounds like allergies, and the fact that it happens at this type of year suggests environmental.

How is Carmel other than the rubbing? How are his ears, does he shake his head alot? Does he lick at his feet alot? Would you say his poops are normal?

I also have dogs on restricted diets. It would be worth looking into regardless of what kind of allergy he might have. Dogs with allergies or sensitivities seem to start crossing over into other areas eventually, too.

Thanks for your reply,
Carmel eats diamond lamb and rice. He always scales back his eating whenever the humidity hits (3 cups a day to 2 cups a day). his stool is solid and normal. He has always done a lot of full body shaking (kind of like most dogs do when they get out of water). His ears look normal. He has about 2 rawhides per week. He gets liver craker like training treats. I think its from bill jack. His diet has been the same for 1 1/2 years. He is shedding a lot but it looks like normal sheding (not in clumps). I didn't want to give him a bath because I heard it strips away his natural oils and will make his skin worse. Is that true?? Any help would be apreciated.
Thanks
Mike

Oh can you post a picture! I have a lab and a Vizsla... I'd like to see what a Vizlsa lab cross looks like!

You could try adding fish oil to his kibble or sardines (canned in spring water not oil, or fresh frozen ones) that would help allot with the dry coat and itchyness.

Yes, in general a bath won't help. When Wellie's really itchy, though, an Aveeno oatmeal bath followed with Aveeno shower oil (which mostly rinses off) seems to help.
I would suggest first adding fish oil - like Grizzly Salmon Oil - and if that doesn't help after a month or so, start thinking about food changes.

Not eating so much in warm weather is normal.

Sure here is a picture Carmel is on the left (Lab Vizsla mix). Rianne is a terier mixed with a bigger dog. It might be doberman. So now we have a 35 pound dog that can run 35 miles an hour and jump a 4 foot fence with ease. Carmel is a lot smarter though he runs a lot slower but he corners her and hides behind bushes waithing for her. its a riot.

http://www.myimagehosting.com/pic.php?u=495RT8Xy&i=3499

Thanks for your help
Mike

Oh, they're beautiful! Rianne sounds like a real handful! LOL

Oh Mike..they sure are sweet...I love Rianne's markings..keep posting pics of these cuties!!

Wow! Really does look half and half V and lab! :) Very Cute. Looks like the pups would if my two had babies together LOL (don't worry that won't happen, they're both boys).

Probably has a really neat personality too?