I see many vet trips in the immediate future!

Opi has still got a hard lump on her wrist, which she's had for a couple of weeks now at least (may be longer, didn't notice it before).  She's had antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, but they've not made any difference.  The next step is likely to be x-rays and possible surgery (if there's something in there like a grass seed).  Does anyone have any other ideas what it might be?

Remy's CDA (Colour Dilute Alopecia for those who don't know) seems to be getting worse - the sparse undercoat on his back (basically no topcoat in some spots) has thinned more so I can see his skin in some places.  Also his extra padding is proving very hard to shift - he's having his thyroid tested in a couple of weeks when he has his booster.  If anyone knows of anything - food, supplements etc - that might help with the fur it'd be great.  He's on PAH own brand food at the mo, has been for about 2 months, but as the fur's getting worse I'm going to assume it's not helping!  I still want to try him on Eaglepack, and maybe Innova if that doesn't work - I've heard good things about both for dobes with CDA.

Hi,
Have you tried Remy on a raw diet?  My dogs' coats were beautiful after I swopped them over to a raw diet from a complete.  When I give them cereal (I give them Forthglade with biscuit every now and again if I can't feed raw) their coats are not so glossy and they moult MUCH more.

Good luck with Opi, hope it's just something simple that sorts itself.

I always give the Newfies an Evening Primrose, Star Oil and most importantly for coats and skin a Zinc tablet! I would not feed PAH personaly, when I had Dobes they were on raw, with a complete food occasionally. I feed Nutro or Autarky now(The Autarky has particularly impressed me...which takes a bit of doing, seeing as how I'm a natural cynic!!)Hope this helps, regards, Dawn

My GSD had terrible coat problems last summer (she's a long coat GSD). The coat was dull, flat and thinning. Tried loads of things (she always has omega 3 supplements anyway). Had the vets check her out, tried Quistel shampoo, anti histamine in case it was a hay fever type allergy. Nothing made a difference. Then (in desperation and a why not attitude) I tried a food someone suggested which was Royal Canin GSD 24. I thought it fairly unlikely to help, and it MAY just have been coincidence. But her coat quite quickly became much much thicker, and glossy, and has remained that way so far. I feed her this, along with raw meat and vegetables. They do a variety of breed specific foods (which I must admit I thought was probably a money making idea), but I can't get away from the fact that my dog is hairy again! So I for one, will stay with it
Kat

Hi Kat,  Good to hear that your dog's coat has improved so much. :)  Just wanted to ask if the raw food was something new as well or had you always given it?  Also, is it possible that there was some element missing from the raw food diet which the Royal Canin supplied?  Not getting at raw feeders here, I'm one myself. :)  Can understand you wanting to stick to this diet, obviously suits your girl.

No the raw food was always part of her diet, along with Burns and Naturediet, and some veg, so I wouldn't have thought there was anything missing from the original diet. She had done well on it for two and a half years. I must say that the Royal Canin seems to be a much 'richer' and very palatable food too (oh yes, and pricey:rolleyes:). It could just have been something to do with last summer - chemicals, pollution - well who knows? As I say, it could be coincidence, but its a big coincidence, and I'm not going to rock the boat.
Kat

No I don't blame you. :)