We just adopted a 12 yr old Yorkie

[wisteria]

Bailey is a lucky lass! Congrats on your new addition!

[MsChristy]

So, I've been able to get a few things that were suggested, such as the wipes for eye-gunk. They help a lot, especially as she doesn't seem to mind me using them on her every day or so. I also use a warm, very wet rag every few days to do a more thorough cleaning or if she's getting extra eye-boogery. Her eyes are still off and on weepy/gunky, so I think the next thing to look into is food allergies and water purity.

I was able to get her in for grooming and decided to have her beard cut short...it was really getting into her food and as she has severe dental problems, this was only adding to the bad breath issue! I took her to the vet last Monday for her free evaluation (thanks to Oregon Humane Society) and was told that she essentially has a rotten mouth. He put Bailey on antibiotics and said that she's obviously had long-term skin allergies of some sort, either seasonal or food, that has caused hair loss. She also has a large number of what he said are sebaceous adenomas. I asked for an estimate on the dental work, started her on the antibiotics, and made a batch of food for her to eat until I get a better grasp of what I should feed her.

The main issue is the dental work she needs and I was looking at $400-600 worth of extractions and so forth until the Oregon Humane Society called a few days later with news. Apparently, Bailey should not have been adopted out until after she had a full dental done, so they want me to bring her in next month for them to do all the necessary extractions! I have been totally blown away by the lengths OHS goes to! I'll be able to get her mouth taken care of and it won't cost me anything. Hooray!

In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out what to do about her skin. The vet acted like the adenomas were no big deal, just a sign of age, and that the antibiotics would take care of any that had picked up a secondary infection. However, I've noticed that Bailey is itching MORE, not less, and she is almost always itching at an area that has one or more adenomas. Some are very warty looking, some look more like fluid-filled cysts. Some she has scratched open and they've scabbed over; some look more like really dry skin or thick dandruff.

The vet recommended switching to a commercially produced hypoallergenic dry food that has hydrolized protein and only one novel carbohydrate. But, he didn't say which brand has such a thing.

I don't use any fragrances or perfumes in my laundry, have hard surface floors throughout the house, and have allergies myself so I am hyper conscious of allergens in the house. It's also winter and very wet here in Portland, so seasonal allergies are at a low. I'm not sure what else it could be BUT food, although her ears, paws, and rear are very healthy and her poop looks normal. I guess in my mind a food allergy should have more sign of internal upset than itchy skin.

Anyhow, I'm over the moon about getting her teeth taken care of, but feeling a bit at sea in regards to the food allergy issue. I also feel that all her "bumps" are more of an issue than the vet seemed to think they are. Does anyone know of similar skin conditions that might mimic sebaceous adenomas?

Also, can anyone recommend a good quality hypoallergenic kibble for senior Yorkies? I can easily make treats, wet food, etc., myself to all sorts of allergen requirements, but I can't make kibble

[Buster Brown]

Here is a link to hypoallergenic dog food suggestions from the Dog Food Advisor. Hopefully other members will add their suggestions. How wonderful that they are going to do the dental.
Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

[Yorkiedaze]

First off you are an angel to adopt this little girl. Most people only want the young ones and the seniors get left out and eventually get put down or die in foster care.

If you want to take the guess work out of a possible food allergy, and get her skin and coat in great shape, why not put her on red meat mixed with some steamed veggies such as green beans, carrots & broccoli, with some cooked pearled barley thrown it. It's what I feed my girls. I buy inexpensive round steak and also moc tenderloin and fry to med. rare. They love meal time that's for sure, and their health is perfect. (But Zada has a collapsed trachea, but otherwise is healthy as can be). I also make their treats and keep in the freezer for extra crunch. Easy as can be to home cook.

[Ahis_Mama]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

First off you are an angel to adopt this little girl. Most people only want the young ones and the seniors get left out and eventually get put down or die in foster care.

If you want to take the guess work out of a possible food allergy, and get her skin and coat in great shape, why not put her on red meat mixed with some steamed veggies such as green beans, carrots & broccoli, with some cooked pearled barley thrown it. It's what I feed my girls. I buy inexpensive round steak and also moc tenderloin and fry to med. rare. They love meal time that's for sure, and their health is perfect. (But Zada has a collapsed trachea, but otherwise is healthy as can be). I also make their treats and keep in the freezer for extra crunch. Easy as can be to home cook.

I agree on all accounts. Home cooked food is the best way to go. You know exactly what is in it. And once you do it, you will find that it's not hard or time consuming at all.

[ladyjane]

I am happy to hear about the dental..that is terrific news!

As for hypoallergenic food, ask him about some RX foods...I have used Royal Canin Hypoallergenic foods...you need a prescription for it.

As for home cooking...I would not do that without a recipe from a vet nutritionist. I use one here in Houston but there are some websites where you can get information...you MUST have supplements ... it is not as simple as just cooking foods that you think are ok. You can use these two sites for information:

Welcome to Pet Diets

www.balanceit.com

Also, if you are interested in a consult with a vet nutritionist, you can find one at:
acvn.com Your vet could call one for suggestions and you probably would not have to pay...unless you went with home cooking.

Keep in mind that usually allergies are not related to food. My experience has been more environmental.

As for adenomas...I have left some, but it depends on where they are and if they are bothering the pup...then I have them removed. You might ask them to consider removing some during her dental.

[LilAnnCamp]

I agree with home cooked food. You usually have to pay $ for them. And if you don't then your dog could be missing important supplements.

[LilAnnCamp]

On the adenonas... Location is what matters and how much the dog messes with them. If you have about month... I would watch close. When I took her for the dental I would mark them with a permant marker and make maybe a side views of the dog and location them on the picture as well. If their are some that don't bother her maybe mark with a different color. FYI - Some come back while some don't.

[Yorkiedaze]

I've been home cooking for over 50 years without consulting a "nutritionist", and have never had any problem with adverse or allergy reaction.
I think it's wonderful if you find a commercial food that works for your dog, but there are dogs that do eat a commercial brand end up with a slew of health problems, so I'm just giving information for an alternative choice. Since we are putting some sites out to read, here are a couple I find very interesting as well.

What’s Really in Pet Food

WHO REGULATES THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I've been home cooking for over 50 years without consulting a "nutritionist", and have never had any problem with adverse or allergy reaction.
I think it's wonderful if you find a commercial food that works for your dog, but there are dogs that do eat a commercial brand end up with a slew of health problems, so I'm just giving information for an alternative choice. Since we are putting some sites out to read, here are a couple I find very interesting as well.

What’s Really in Pet Food

WHO REGULATES THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY

Whew some serious reading thanks!

[Angela58]

I love that you adopted her! I was thinking about adopting one to keep my Deserre company! The thing is trying to convince my hubby! LOL