I rescued a siberian husky and she has balding over her trunk and irritated skin?

[wendi_just_me]

I rescued this dog yeasterday from neglectful owners. She is very itchy and has bald patches over her body, I'm positive it isn't mange because her legs and head are clear. She is overweight and a senior. I can't afford a vet for another few weeks or so... I have done some research and I am aware that it could be a thyroid problem, allergies, or yeast infection. She was being fed alpo by her previous owners, I am feeding her Iams canned, I'm going to switch her over to Neutro friday when I get paid. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate them. Note: I'm not a bad owner, my boyfriend's employer moved out of state, and I'm a full-time college student who is unemployed and I have been living off of loans and grants for the last 4 & 1/2 years and because I have too many credit hours they have revoked them. I literally rescued this dog from morons who are guilty of abuse and neglect. I WILL TAKE HER IN TO SEE MY VET AS SOON AS I HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO, untill then my hands aree tied.

[Jenn A Storm]

Unfortunately there are MANY things it could be. A thyroid problem is a possibility, this explaining the weight and thinning hair. It could be mange though. I work as a vet tech and I've seen it appear on just a dog's feet one time, others have had it in localized areas as well. Usually mange is seen in puppies, but older dogs with stressed immune systems can get it as well. She could have allergies, ringworm (depending on what these patches look like), and so many other things. Fleas can cause this kind of reaction too. Any chance of that? Give her a bath with medicated shampoo or use a home remedy (baking soda in the bathwater or put oatmeal in a stocking and squeeze out the "ooze"). Avoid soaps or anything harsh. Unfortunately without seeing her and knowing what it is, it's hard to offer suggestions. Sorry!

[nyteflame7]

I would guess stress, or an allergy, but I'm not an expert. Until you can get her to the vet, find a good DOG shampoo that has an itch relief component.

Dogs shouldn't be bathed too often, but it might help her itching. Just don't use human shampoo. The PH isn't right for dog, and it could make her worse.

Good for you for rescuing a baby. Better that she has a loving home, even if she has to wait for the vet, then an abusive home (that probably wouldnt ever take her anyway).

As for food: I HIGHLY recommend finding something that does not contain corn or wheat. A lot of dogs are allergic to it, and for the rest: they don't need it. They do need some carbs, but they aren't built to handle corn and such. look for one that uses rice or potato, and that has meat as one of the first three ingredients. It can be had to find a good food at the grocery store, but Petco and Petsmart have good selections, and while a bag of food might be more expensive, you often have to feed less to get your pet the same nutrients, so the bag of food lasts longer and ultimately you end up spending either the same amount, or less.

Also, for dogs, a dry food can be better (and MUCH cheaper)...feed one meal a day hard(for her teeth) , and put a little warm water on the other meal, to get the same benefits of canned food.

Make sure you actually measure her food (go by the directions on the bag), and look for a low calorie (weight management) formula, to get her weight under control. I've had my baby for a year, and she's lost 15 pounds since I adopted her (she's only 2 pounds over weight now).

[skilletzz]

I don't know what you should do,sorry,But I must say,You are a very generous individual,putting time to make the life of a dog much better.

[reillysmom]

first make sure she doesn't have fleas lots of dogs can have an allergy to fleas causing them to lose hair and get really irritated skin. if you don't see fleas then one of the things you mentioned above could be the problem. Hope for fleas this is the least expensive and easiest to get rid of no fleas, no problem