Wylie's Mom,
There doesn't appear to be a pattern, except that her skin looks worst right after she gets back from the groomer, and she flakes when I brush her in the days following the groomer visit. Then her skin starts to look more normal, then I'll brush her and she's a little flaky again. The groomer uses a perfumed shampoo which I have asked them not to use. She didn't smell as bad this time, but I think next time I might bring my own shampoo for her to use. I could also bathe her here, but I can't clip her nails.
Meg is inside for most of the day, but we do go on at least one walk each day. Yellow Dust (pollution that comes in on the winds from China) is definitely a concern, and when it's bad, I don't take her out. I took her out one day, not knowing how bad the Yellow Dust was, and she threw up that night. The same thing happened to my friend's small dog.
As for pollen, I can't find a pollen count anywhere, but it is cherry blossom season, so things are growing and pollen must be floating around in the air.
She does have runny eyes lately (the past 2-3 weeks, since traveling back to the US). There is no odor or discharge from her ears, but she does get her ears cleaned regularly (1/week) and I usually get some yellow gunk out.
I did start giving Meg some Nordic Natural fish oil. I just started a couple days ago, so I'm not sure if it's making a difference yet. Is that enough fatty acid? Or should I supplement with something else?
She is already on a mostly grain free diet. The only grain she gets is some organic brown rice (in the Newman's Own). The Honest Kitchen "Embark" is grain and gluten-free. I do sometimes give her table scraps with gluten/grain though.
I am *REALLY* hoping that she is not allergic to chicken. She is crazy about chicken. I'd like to eventually start home-cooking for her, and I don't know how I will do that without chicken.
Thanks for your help, everyone!