supplement side effects - Page 1

One of my dogs came down with some sort of an allergic reaction on his skin.  I noticed it around his ears mostly.  My vet said it has been a really bad year for this being that it hasn't gotten cold at all this winter.  I also had recently started giving him natural fish oil and vitiman e.  I was wondering if either of supplements could have this kind of side effect, or if it was just something he got while outside?  Thanks...

Very possible that the allergic reaction is to the Vitamin E and fish oil.  My sister gets terrible eczema from both products, but I, on the other hand can use the same products without any side effects.  I would take your dog off both products until the rash clears up, then reintroduce one at a time, slowly.  That way you will know which one is causing the reaction, if either product is the culprit.

If other dogs in your area are suffering from the same sort of rash it might be something he is picking something up outside; skin rashes can be so difficult to deal with.  I used to have a dog that got terrrible rashes when our oak trees dropped their acorns.   She used to get so miserable looking; the fur would come off her feet, legs, and face, leaving a red weepy looking rash.  The only way I could help was to keep her indoors until the yard was cleaned up, creams and salves never seemed to do the trick. The funny thing is, she didn't start getting the rash until she was about 8 or 9, and she lived in the same house from 8 weeks old until her death.

Another thing I would consider is soaps/shampoos.  If you are in the habit of using either kind of product on your dog I would stop (if possible) until his skin clears up.

have you changed feed or shampoos lately?
have you changed any household cleaning chemicals, laundry detergents?
have you changed anti flee meds?
have you changed dog treats?

when dealing with rashes, so many things could bring it on....

I would shoot Jody an email and ask her.  I use the Fish oil and Vitamin E and have not ahd any issues.


Jim

You could change to Salmon oil/with Vit E.  Doubt it is the E as it is in all dog foods.  2 of my 4 can't take anything with flax, either seeds or the oil??  Go figure.  They start itching almost within hours of getting anything with Flax in it.  Nan  Food for thought.  Great day.

I think it is the fish oil nans.  I have already ordered salmon oil preserved with vit e.  I am also thinking about using the nupro gold stuff.  He is an inside dog, so I have to supplement to keep his coat shiny...as he doesn't get a lot of outside time...

Do you have a picture?  My dog has something similar, he's had it off and on every year (at different times of the year, not just winter) since he was 6 months.  He loses hair on the tips of his ears and they get very dry and scaly.  My friend who works in a medical lab checked a swab and a scraping for me...nothing.  This dog has no allergies, no digestive issues, no other skin conditions. 

What about a soybean intolerance? Vitamin E is derived from soybean oil. Recall that tocopherols are heat, light and air sensitive so you don't really know how much vitamin E actually survives in commerical dog food by the time the bag reaches you.

My GSD pup gets the runs instantly when I add a very small amount of vit. E (d-alpha form) to his food (since I'm adding anchovy/sardine oil or feeding whole herring). My female GSD has never had any problems with vit. E (even as a pup). The pup doesn't get the runs when eating fish oil or whole herring without vit. E.

That is interesting but as we all know anything is possible when it comes to allergies.  The only way I found out about the Flax was process of elimination; then gave it, then eliminated it, then gave it again and realized what was causing the itching.  One of the 2 that itches from it is pretty severe, the other one is only occasional itcher.  But just eliminated completely for all diets.  No flax of any kind.  Now I know.