My gorgeous GR puppy has just developed a skin problem. after cuddling him on my knee last night I noticed my legs were covered in big white flakes, I inspected his coat and it is full of flaking dead skin. We have had him two weeks he is otherwise well.

I have noticed that he likes to sleep on the cold stome hearth sometimes and I wonder if he is too hot and this is what has caused it. He was raised in a kennel outside from 4 to 8 weeks.

Poor little mite I assume this will require another vets visit for some medicated shampoo. He is at the vets in 10 days for his second injection, should I get him there for his skin sooner?

Is this a common problem with GRs? Are there any home remedies?

Thanks in advance for anyone's advice

Cheers Oz x

i dont have any personal experience of GRs, but i work in a vets and we do see a high number of them with skin problems. them, westies, shar peis...you could contact the breeder and ask if anybody else has this?

Hi
Has he been frontlined recently? it could be chyatella(SP) which causes dandruff. Its a mite that gets into the skin, my puppies had it (couple of tears back) and the vet told me it was because of their coats growing so fast (not your breed) but when i took the last one to my groomer before it went to its new home she knew immediately what it was.
Frontline did the trick.

It could be dandruff mite, and you could frontline just to be sure, if pup hasn't already been, but it is just as likely to be simply dry skin.

All my Goldens have had this as puppies, (Goldens can be prone to dry skin) but usually it goes by the time they are a few months old and no further problems. If it seems ot be irritating her, the vet can give you a shampoo to use.

I used to breed German shepherds and I had a few bitches that got this, it went on its own as they got older. Though I did find that all my GSDs did badly on wet food, and did much better on complete dry food I found that high protean was not good for this breed. Hope this helps

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - hopefully it will be something he grows out of then. - no he hasn't been frontlined yet and I was going to discuss this with the vet next week when we go for his second injecton. My thoughts were it could be an allergy as I have started giving him training treats this week and he never had this problem before. It really is extremly flaky his coat is full of it and I am covered in it if I cuddle him. The skin is not red or imflamed however and he doesn't seem irritated - he has also had really bad flatulence the last couple of days (it can clear a room!) . I've stopped  the treats (coachies) and I'll see how he goes his week then mention it to the vet.

Thanks again x

Just spoken to the breeder who said this is common in pups and nothing to worry about, advised a special shampoo or aloe vera gel.

It IS common, as I said above, but you can't rule out Dandruff mite, it looks the same.

Pup should really be frontlined anyway, so discuss with your vet when you see them.

I had a GR pup with flaky skin and used Tea Tree shampoo which did the trick.:-)

Oz, If it is cheyletiella it is easily cleared with fronltine spray, the spot on will not kill it all.

Thanks Flora Dora - He is at the vets next week for his second shot so I'll ask about frontline.

I am not quite sure I can agree with your signature line about a golden being half trained. We have only just managed sit and he is 10.5 weeks. Bless him!

Oz, They get easier and with having both breeds the GR's are far easier, my fully trained ess who has  awards in tests and trials is now 8 years old, whistle her to sit or tell her too and if she can get away with  not doing it, looking at you as if what are you asking me to do i don't understand and have never been taught that, she will. LOL, I am getting too old methinks for Springer spaniels now, can't run as fast.

I have bred 8 litters of GR pups over the past 11 years or so and in that time we have had 3 puppies with the same flaky skin.

Initially, I was of course worried about serious problems, but all three cases have proved to be a simple case of 'cradle cap' which has cleared spontaneously within a couple of months, and certainly less than six.

Vets may have advised aloe vera, tea tree etc etc shampoos and they may be helpful, but so long as you have ruled out mites as above then relax and don't worry about it. Generally they are not bothered by the dry skin, all pups have a scratch anyway! They also enjoy lying on cool floors, especially if the CH is on!!

Good luck with your training!! He sounds as though he is going to be a challenge but have a wonderful character!

Kate. x

as long as parasites have been ruled out.Try gently rubbing in some olive oil,as one would if a baby had cradle cap.

Thanks ladies - he is definately a character - lol. I am taking him to the vets on tuesday and will ask about frontline incase it is mites. I have ordered some exmarid shampoo and will try rubbing in some aloe vera as recommended by my breeder.