Possible vitamin deficiency?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

kara · 01-06-2006, 04:50 PM

I have a question, Matise has flaky skin but it is not itchy. As you know he is recovering from Liver Shunt surgery so I was wondering could this be a vitamin deficiency?

It is on his legs armpits and around the upper back leg area and around the base of the tail. Is this just a yorkie thing or could it be a Liver Shunt thing? What do you guys think?

I made a vet apointment for tomarrow morning because I am worried. It is like he got a sunburn and now his skin is peeling/flaking you know. I am going to talk to the vet but what do you guys think I should do to treat it? I don't want him to lose his hair or go bald in any areas because I keep him in full coat. Should I change the shampoo/conditioner? use some kind of spray or oil or something? You know I have to becareful of protein levels because of the liver shunt so if it is a non topical treatment I have to beware of the protein content and know what those % are. I am so worried about it getting worse or for it to start itching him or for his hair to fall out.

What do you guys think?

chachi · 01-06-2006, 05:38 PM

Well i dont know if this could be related to his condition or not. Something I give my dogs that is good for thier skin and coat is Missing Link.You just sprinkle it one their food. I get it at Petsmart. Its worth a try.

mustangbee · 01-06-2006, 06:04 PM

Oh please keep us posted.
I wish I had a answer for you!
Sending Hugs!

kara · 01-07-2006, 11:54 AM

Ok so we went to the vet this morning for the yearly check-up and vacs and to check his skin. The vet said that the flaky skin was in her opinion a yorkie thing not a LS thing. She will consult with our surgeon(the one who performed the liver shunt surgery) on whether or not he may have a supplement like fish oil or whatever because they have about a 7% protein content and that would add onto the 13.9% he is already getting. With LS dogs you have to be VERY careful of their protein consumption and it does need to be around 15% or so not any higher. So we are going to try 2 topical treatments to begin with. And see what the surgeon says and go from there. Thanks for your concern.
Other good news he seems to be gaining muscle and weight!!
He was around 3.3-3.5 for the longest time and not really any muscle. and he has slowly been gaining muscle since the surgery and new food(L/D) and now he weighed 3.8 we were so happy. And the vet said he looked great! So little by little we are making strides of improvement.
thanks again to everyone

01-06-2006, 04:50 PM	#1
kara YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Miramar, FL(Origianally a Southern Indiana Girl!) Posts: 302	Possible vitamin deficiency?? I have a question, Matise has flaky skin but it is not itchy. As you know he is recovering from Liver Shunt surgery so I was wondering could this be a vitamin deficiency? It is on his legs armpits and around the upper back leg area and around the base of the tail. Is this just a yorkie thing or could it be a Liver Shunt thing? What do you guys think? I made a vet apointment for tomarrow morning because I am worried. It is like he got a sunburn and now his skin is peeling/flaking you know. I am going to talk to the vet but what do you guys think I should do to treat it? I don't want him to lose his hair or go bald in any areas because I keep him in full coat. Should I change the shampoo/conditioner? use some kind of spray or oil or something? You know I have to becareful of protein levels because of the liver shunt so if it is a non topical treatment I have to beware of the protein content and know what those % are. I am so worried about it getting worse or for it to start itching him or for his hair to fall out. What do you guys think? __________________ Kara & Matise Let's be pup pals! Click here to educate yourself on Liver Shunts.

01-06-2006, 05:38 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Well i dont know if this could be related to his condition or not. Something I give my dogs that is good for thier skin and coat is Missing Link.You just sprinkle it one their food. I get it at Petsmart. Its worth a try. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-06-2006, 06:04 PM	#3
mustangbee Donating YT 9000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Carolina :) Posts: 10,616	Oh please keep us posted. I wish I had a answer for you! Sending Hugs! __________________ Friends are God's way of apologizing for our relatives. "Love & Support Our YT Members" Gina & Princess Member of the SSLS

01-07-2006, 11:54 AM	#4
kara YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Miramar, FL(Origianally a Southern Indiana Girl!) Posts: 302	Update. Ok so we went to the vet this morning for the yearly check-up and vacs and to check his skin. The vet said that the flaky skin was in her opinion a yorkie thing not a LS thing. She will consult with our surgeon(the one who performed the liver shunt surgery) on whether or not he may have a supplement like fish oil or whatever because they have about a 7% protein content and that would add onto the 13.9% he is already getting. With LS dogs you have to be VERY careful of their protein consumption and it does need to be around 15% or so not any higher. So we are going to try 2 topical treatments to begin with. And see what the surgeon says and go from there. Thanks for your concern. Other good news he seems to be gaining muscle and weight!! He was around 3.3-3.5 for the longest time and not really any muscle. and he has slowly been gaining muscle since the surgery and new food(L/D) and now he weighed 3.8 we were so happy. And the vet said he looked great! So little by little we are making strides of improvement. thanks again to everyone __________________ Kara & Matise Let's be pup pals! Click here to educate yourself on Liver Shunts.