Question:

I have a miniature schnauzer that keeps acting as if he is expelling gas. If he is, I can''t smell it. He really does look as if he is, though, and will run around as if to get away from it and smell or lick his butt. He has gotten worse over the past few months.My vet did some blood work and found him to have hypothyroidism. She has put my dog on a steroid and Benadryl regime that has helped. However, he still does this, and I don''t understand why. He doesn''t seem to be in any distress. It just drives him and all of us crazy when he has a bad attack.Have you ever heard of this strange behavior? Can you recommend something?.

C.D., Norfolk, Va Mar 09, 2008

Answer:

Stop the steroid and Benadryl medication at once! This is absurd treatment for the condition you describe and borders on malpractice. The dog''s low-thyroid-gland activity should be addressed, and the anal glands checked for possible impaction or inflammation that can make dogs spooky about their rear ends.Chronic flatulence is common in dogs whose manufactured food includes soy protein and other soy ingredients. Your dog may have a food allergy or hypersensitivity that could lead to skin and immune-system problems and inflammatory-bowel disease.Certain food ingredients can disrupt the bacterial flora in the digestive system, so I would advise that you put your dog on a course of treatment with probiotics. This should be coupled with a basic, home-prepared, soy-free diet.

Question:

I have a dog that came to our house in poor condition. She is now a beautiful, well-loved animal.My problem is that she sheds a great deal. I have tried many things, to no avail. I brush her regularly. She is a yard dog -- will not sleep in a doghouse, only on my porch, which I cover at night. I sweep the porch of hair often.I feed her canned and dry food, plus some meat (and probably some things I shouldn''t).I need help. Can you advise?.

B.J., Hendersonville, NC Mar 09, 2008

Answer:

Dogs shed for a variety of reasons. If the fur or hair comes out with a gentle pull and the coat seems dull and dry, all that your dog may need is some vegetable or fish oil. Give a 30-pound dog a teaspoon of flaxseed or safflower oil mixed in with his regular food -- or 1/3 teaspoon of fish oil, once per day. Many dogs (and cats) do not respond well to their manufactured pet food, which is deficient in various essential nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids.Because there are other reasons for chronic coat shedding (notably thyroid and Cushing''s disease), a veterinary checkup would be advisable.