Hello
My westie pup (8mth) called buddy has a wide very light brown stripe down his back. He's always had it i guess but is more noticeable when he's been trimmed or when wet. Is this normal or should i be doing something about it. I've checked the skin underneath for any unwanted beasties. None there.

Also he continues to chew on his paws although not to the point of damage. I've had him to the vet previously for itchy skin on his legs which was resolved by my altering his diet. He's also been treated for ear mites.

Would be glad of any advice.

Budmag

Hi Bugmag,

Reading your first sentence I thought simple but then when I see further down your dog is experiencing allergies so not quite as simple.

The orange/brown stripe is called " Orange Stripe" there is not alot of information on it but I did get a lot of info on the subject from a westies breeder that has been in the westie scene for 40 years and has bred 100s of dogs and found some info in some very old westie books.

My wee bitch had this for about 8 months and I to noticed it more when she was stripped/groomed out. I started giving her evening primrose caplets everyday and it did clear it up.

Unfortunatly you have a few more problems but am glad you have addressed the dogs diet as it does help greatly along with a few other measures. Can I ask which diet you were on and what you are now feeding? You can mail me privately if you like as I am doing alot of research just now and am compiling findings etc. my e-mail is preidie@yahoo.com

Some tips I use and some I have picked up along the way are..

I'll rattle of a list and you can try or leave them.

If you can keep the dog of carpets.
Wash bedding regularly but use something like fairy powder. non biological.
Do not shampoo your dog unless you have to brush him daily.
Wash only his feet regularly with cold water and rinse his feet with apple cider vineger as it help stop him chew.
Keep him off the grass as much as possible.

Thornit powder is also good. It is used for ears and feet here is the addy if you would like ot find out more about it

http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk

His diet should not be high in protein at all less that 10% and avoid brewers yeast always. ( You will see that on the label) one particular dog food has a high amount and although recommended , I would avoid with my dogs.

When you see him chewing stop him and tell him no right away as it can become a habit.

Some really good food supplements are spinach leaves,
which can be picked up in the fresh veg at Asdas ,
garlic caplets daily for skin and to help avoid fleas. ( try not to use too much chemical flea products)

A product which is good is "Restore". It is a powder food supplement which you sprinkle in food.
it is avaliable at http://www.dezynadog.co.uk/pages/index2.html under supplements.

Every morning I get my packet of cooked turkey out, I take a slice put 2 spinach leaves in it, 1 garlic caplet, 1 evening primrose caplet, 1 kelp tablet. I roll it up like a kebab and then they get one each I have done it since both were puppies so they see it as a treat. I just keep their chins up until they have swallowed it all.

They are both fed on natural diets.

Now when you read this you will think "boy she must have had problems" but the truth is quite the opposite but the reason I took this so serious as I could not belive the amount of problems with allergies etc and once it starts it is hard to get in control totally. So my thoughts were always prevention. Although I can not find 100% evidence of this it is reported that as much as 60% of westies have some kind of allergy.

Generally allergies get worse and the immune system gets weaker trying to control it all so they way to view it is not an over night cure but a longer term working from the inside out so to speak.

If you would like more info please mail me.

BFN

Pam

Does the Primrose Caplets really work?
My Westie just gotten the Orange Stripe. I think it was becasue she lived in the garage so we can potty train her.
What should we do..?

Really like some advice.