Bad skin, flaky, hair loss and odor

[CarolinaFilly]

My brothers dog has really bad skin. He's been to the vet a couple of times and I don't really remember what they gave him. First I think was Omega 3 and fatty acids. Then some skin spray. It clears up for awhile, then comes right back. We've tried a ton of stuff, with the same results. He will clear up completly, then it comes right back. I feel bad for him. He scratchs all the time, so obviously it itches. It's worse on his back end. He's REALLY bad now. He smells, his hair falls out... and I don't know but it might have something to do with it but his toenails grow super fast. I can get pictures if that would help.

I thought I'd ask... I think we are going to buy some nzymes http://www.nzymes.com/ and change his diet, again. Is their anything anyone can suggest?

We do feed free-feeding for 7 dogs, so obviously the really expensive feeds can get REALLY expensive. But I've been trying to convince the parents to change that, so its defiently an option to feed everybody induvidualy.

I wish my brother would step up and do something. He's just useless. Any feeding, medication, sprays, ANYTHING would be appreciated.

[Dax]

Sounds like sebborhea.html

Dax has a version of this. Best is to wash with special shampoo and follow with a good conditioner for it.

A good quality food will help too.

[golden&hovawart]

My golden had the same problem.
I realized that she was allergic to fleas and changed her food to Canidae(lamb& rice).I made sure that she was treated for fleas,once a month with frontline as well as shampooed regularly and she is now doing,much better.
Like Dax said,a good food like Canidae or natural balance(duck&patatoes) can make the difference.

[EllyMay]

I agree with Golden&Hovawart. I am not one of those people who gets really passionate about dog food, but I think that feeding the better stuff makes a difference. My dog had itchy skin back when I was feeding supermarket brands. That got me to switch to Canidae and the itching stopped. I switched again to Nutro.
If money is an issue keep in mind that the cheap stuff has fillers in it like corn so you can feed less of the better stuff. Where I am the good stuff goes for about $1/lb.

[seaecho]

Has the dog had bloodwork to check for thyroid problems? The thyroid can cause itchy, flakey, smelly skin.