Finally!!
 

Hi everyone. I'm finally figuring out how to work everything. But I really need advice. My Yorkie Amara's skin and coat is very dry and brittle. And I'm currently switching her to Nature's Variety Instinct Duck Meal And Turkey Meal. I'm not sure she likes it all too well. But I'll give it a couple more days. But I currently use Oster Animal Care Extra Soothing Shampoo And the Dermasilk conditioner. Her coat is soft maybe one day. She loves to play in the grass and run around. But she is itchy alot. Probably because of fleas. But I'm new so advice would be appreciated. I need a non stripping moisturizing shampoo for her. Any suggestions?

Coconut oil can help soothe broken skin. She can eat it, or you can rub it directly on to the skin. Whatever shampoo you use, just make sure to rinse it all of. Sometimes, if you don't, that can cause trouble too. You're also going to get a lot of different suggestions for shampoos. That's why I love this site! :D

Anyway, I use and absolutely love Yorkie Splash and Shine. Keeps my pup clean and fresh for days, and the smell isn't so overpowering that it gives me migraines. The shampoo looks like water, which turns some people off. The Sheen detangling spray is amazing as well.
When I'm in a pinch and run out of shampoo, I pop on over to Petco and get some Nootie. I'm a little disappointed that it has no conditioner, but it cleans and freshens my pup really well.

Ok Thanks for the advice. The coconut oil sounds good. I'm just a newbie so I panick easily. I was considering the SPA line at Petco. Or the John Paul Oatmeal Shampoo, Conditioning Rinse and conditioning spray. Where can I find the Yorkie Splash And Shine?

How old is Amara and has the vet looked at her skin and coat? I would rule out health issues first.

Yorkie Splash and Shine can be purchased here. Check out the product section.

Coat Handler is very gentle. It is available online.

Amara is 17 weeks old. And I haven't really let them look at her coat. But I'm worried she may have ear mites so I need to take her. Maybe then? I'm not really sure what to do.

Do what I should do. :p make your list now of everything you want to ask the vet. Include the ears, skin, coat, and let them do a general wellness check if you haven't done so. While your there, include all the questions you might have. Flea preventative, heartworm preventative, when you can start with those things, what they recommend and why. Ask about proper nail length (something I wish I could remember to ask when I go) and what are the consequences of long nails. I'm just givin you ideas of what you can ask. I tend to ask them not only what they recommend, but why. It helps me remember. Like, when my little one had an upper respiratory infection. I asked the vet what the medicine was, and how it worked. I liked knowing what I was giving my baby and why. You can say I'm weird like that. ;)

Definitely ask he vet about the skin and coat when you go. In the meantime, you can use the coconut oil. You can find that at any whole foods.

Thats not weird at all. I'm crazy about Amara. I would do anything for her. I will probably type out a list. And be talking for hours to the vet. If anyone is crazy, I think its me.

Thanks for the tips

Hi.. congratulations on your new puppy! I also have a new puppy, she is 15 weeks old. I ordered some of the Yorkie Splash and Shine product tthat was mentioned, I haven't got it yet so can't give you my opinion on it yet but a shampoo and conditioner with a Oatmeal and aloe base might be soothing for skin and coat.

If she does have fleas, she needs to be treated to get them off and started on a preventative to keep them off. Fleas will make the skin and coat itchy, brittle and dry but they can also cause health issues, like anemia and tapeworm so it's very important that she be flea free. The flea products that can be purchased at places like Walmart are pretty much a waste of your money. There are better products for flea control. Your vet can advise you on that.

If she has ear mites, her ears will need to be cleaned out and treated with a medication to kill the mites. Not only are ear mites itchy and miserable for the puppy but if left untreated they can cause hearing loss.

Maybe you could make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. It sounds like your little one needs to be seen.

Please keep us posted on how amara is doing :smile:

You could try Yorkie Splash and Shine shampoo and conditioner. I hear it's great. Many yorkietalkers on here use it. Here is the website, Yorkie Splash and Yorkie Shine | Yorkie Shampoo and Yorkie Conditioner. Good luck :)

Ok. Thanks for the tips. I will keep you posted. I'm so worried now. :(

I think I will try it. I was just nervous because it may take a while for her to really get used to the organic ingredients. And I didn't want to start her on something and I can't keep up with it. But thanks. :):thumbup:

If you don't know the vet, talking to them for hours is good! This helps you build a relationship with them. It helps you get to know their vet, their style, and heir "bedside manner." I didn't find Kaji's perfect vet until last year when he was 2. She's perfect! She doesn't mind me calling and asking questions. They always squeeze us is if it's an emergency, and she actually listened to me when I said Kaji is extremely fearful. She takes her time with him, and gives him treats (broken up vitamin) until he's ready to be touched. Kaji use to be so afraid of the vet, now he's not. :)

Thank you for the tips. :)

You've gotten lots of good advice. I always recommend Biogroom Oatmeal S&C. It can be found at Pet Food stores; just do a searchon line and hopefully there will be a petstore that carries this product in your area. I like it because it works, it is relatively inexpensive and easily sourced.

I would like to emphasize, you just can't rinse enough vs a vs the shampoo, the conditioner you will want to leave a little bit in the coat, and blow dry the coat.

I like to use a ShamWow to soak up water after the bath, and wrap for about 5-10 minutes the pup in warmed towels prior to the blow drying. Also in cool/drafty rooms, I only uncover a bit of the pup at a time, this is to try to keep warm and avoid a chill. I;m pretty anal so this may be a tad of overkill; but my boy goes swimming all summer and in the winter and is washed weekly (or more often) and has never even had a sniffle.

Once you rule out fleas, ticks, or mites that may be causing skin/coat problems, then what is left is diet, kind/type of shampoos and conditioners.

Good luck, and BTW the grooming section has comprehensive threads on lots of different grooming products.

yep, i agree with the coconut oil! ziggy had dry skin and fur, been using it for a little while and it seems to be workng great. i only use it externally tho

I have been reading about the Yorkie Splash and Shine shampoo and conditioner and it sounds really good. It's all natural and PH balanced. I would say try it as it should be good for skin and coat. Also there is a supplement called Mirra-Coat that is excellent for restoring skin and coat form inside out. Just be sure if you give any supplement that you know the weight of your puppy before giving it.
Your pup needs to go to the vet and be checked out and get some Advantage II for the fleas. Fleas are awful for the skin and coat not to mention that they cause tape worms. Once you are sure the fleas are gone use what ever you vet gives you to get rid of any and all worms he may have. Diet is really important for a healthy coat. Make sure you are feeding a high quality puppy food and not what you find in the grocery store.
Best wishes on you little guy. Hope to hear he is doing much better soon.

Thank you for the tips. I will be sure to put them to great use. It means alot to have so much support.

Thank you all soooo much.

The support on here is amazing.

There are alot of different brands of flea protection for animals. I use frontline or advantix and have never seen a flea on my shih tzu in the six years that I have had her. Maybe you should get your puppy on something like that. I am sure your Vet will recommend a once a month flea prevention and heartworm preventative. Good luck

Ok thanks.

You are so right the support here is amazing, I did and still do, feel like I know NOTHING when it comes to my dog. But people here are so sharing and giving, wow. Just ask, someone, somewhere has an answer for you.
With that said, Sprocket has the dry itchy skin and we also use the coconut oil, I buy the little capsules at GNC, break them open, and rub them on his skin, making it a "playtime" thing. I buy the food grade so I don't have to worry about him licking it off. I tried putting it in his food but he's such a pain in the :eek: and wouldn't eat the food, so this was my solution. Because of his skin we use a soap free shampoo the vet recommended, earthbath, got it at petsmart, I think, anyway not real expensive. The flea/tick thing, because your baby is so young, get info from the vet, when the dogs are so little it's hard, besides I don't like the pesticides, but live in an area that has a year around problem.:( My input, hope it helps and congrats on your new puppy, they are so much love.

Thank you for the tips and information. :)