Obese Chow-Samoyed Mix with Greasy, Smelly Seborrhea
by Stephanie
We have an eight-year-old male/neutered Chow-Samoyed mix who was finally diagnosed with secondary seborrhea oleosa after several trips to the vet. My dog has been living with our in-laws due unforseen medical issues with my daughter,and we had to leave our home to move in with family. During that time, my husband would visit twice a week to bathe him every other week, groom monthly, and walk our dog; however, we were disturbed that find that he was steadily gaining weight and he grew from 80lbs to 110 pounds. He has always had weight issues, despite a stict diet and two 45 min walks daily- no table scraps or treats. We suspect that he has been getting scraps. Our dog had a struvite bladder stone several years ago and was put on a prescription urinary food to prevent reoccurence, so it is vitally important that he not gain anymore weight or eat foods that could potential cause more stones. He currently only eats 2 cups a day to control his weight, which has been unsuccessful. Additionally, we suspect he was not getting adequate exercise. He is lethargic, seems to be uncomfortable, but does not try to lick of scratch any of the effected areas. The areas will temporarily heal and then reoccur, but he smells horribly even after bathing.
About four months ago, he started to develop flaky skin and reoccuring ear infections, that we promptly treated, but could not get a diagnosis. We increased bathing, but this did not seem to help. The flaking developed into foul-smelling waxy, lesion-like areas on his chest, back, and rear-end. We tried antibiotics, antifungals, and ear drops. We finally got a diagnosis, and I have read that bathing 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks along with the other medications may be needed to be fully effective. I have found a temporary home for him nearby
*He has had blood tests, skin scrapings, and urine tests to look for hormonal problems, parasites, thyroid problems. I was told he has had every test available to diagnose his condition, and all tests were negative.
We're sorry this has been so hard on you both. You're right that medicated bathing is a key part of treating seborrhea oleosa. Baths usually start 2 to 3 times a week and taper to once or twice a week once the skin is under control. Leaving the shampoo on for about 10 minutes before rinsing helps. Greasy, smelly skin often has yeast and staph overgrowth, so ask your vet to check with cytology at each recheck.
Weight matters too. Obesity is a recognized cause of secondary seborrhea, partly because heavy dogs can't groom themselves well. Lethargy and weight gain in a Chow or Samoyed are also worth discussing with your vet, even after normal tests, since thyroid tests sometimes need repeating. Ask your vet before changing his food, because his urinary diet is protecting him from bladder stones. Your vet can tell you whether a weight-loss diet that also prevents stones would suit him.
Ask your vet too whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements are safe with his current diet.
See seborrhea in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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