It was time for annuals today for both the girls.  They got the shots they needed, heartworm check and micro-chipped with Home Again.  Dixie didn't flinch at that, but little KS yelped - poor baby.

Stacey looked at Katie's ear tips -- they still don't have hair on the places that were crusty a while back and along the upper tips.  She had one place that just lost a scab, but we both think that was a little cut.  So here is the plan with the ears.  I am continuing with the allergy dog food.  We are trying Advantage Multi for her heartworm med because it also attacks mites (in case there is some little bug they aren't catching), and we are using 25mg benedryl.  We are going to access them in a few weeks after trying this.  After that, the only option is an ear biopsy, which is sort of bloody and sore and not fun

Dixie has gained 9 lbs!  This is after working very hard to reduce her weight!  She is on a reduced calorie food and Stacey said I can't feed her any less than I'm giving her.  She is always hungry as it is.  So, we are going to add some pumpkin to her diet to help satisfy her and next week we are starting her on a weight reduction medication.  Her hips are just so bad, she doesn't get much exercise - I hope when the weather gets a bit warmer, she can start swimming again.  She is up to 77 lbs!  Katie's weight is staying steady at 17.4 lbs.

Awww, I sure hope Katie's ear tips improve.  Bo has the very tips of his ears sort of rough feeling on the inside, but he was that way when we got him, so I have no idea where that came from.  It hasnt gotten any worse, and doesnt seem to bother him, though.

I had to take Dar to the vet for her rabies shot and to be looked at for this spot on her side that she keeps biting at.  Bo and Luce went along for the ride, but didnt have to see the vet at all for anything. 

Good luck, Dixie, on your diet.  I believe that winter has turned me and my dogs into couch 'taters and we ALL are going to start back on our daily walks as soon as the weather breaks and gets a little warmer and a lot less sloppy than it is now.

I know this may sound funny, but Button had allergies real bad as a puppy (Science Diet Puppy Chow) and her ear margins got reall crusty and she lost hair there, too.  First, we changed her dogfood.  But the ears didn't immediately improve. 

Then, after Googling about common ear/skin disorders, I found a bit of info about Ear Margin Dermatitis often triggered by allergies.  It can get so bad it will resemble oily sebbhorea, usually treated with benzoil peroxide shampoo.  But even that didn't really resolve her hear ear margin issues.

Then, after inquiring on another rattie group, a lady recommended common ASTRINGENT applied with cotton swabs twice daily.  I swear folks, this cleared up her ears right away!  The scabs all sloughed off and the hair grew back and as I had taken her off the Science Diet Puppy Chow, the condition never returned. No doubt in my mind the food was the problem!!!!!  This is when I realized she MUST be allergic to corn and put her on a corn-free food.

Thanks so much.  She is on Duck and Potato Allergy formula - but I'll try the astringent.  I'm posting some picture under Rattie Photos.  Would you look and see if they look like Button's ears.  I'll post it to your attention.

Since I PM'd this to Jan, let me repeat it here for you other folks.  In addition to the astringent, the breeder that recommended this to me said to also get a tiny bottle of Wal-Mart Medicated Acne Gel (benzoil peroxide) and dab it on the ears.  I used both products for a week or two and not only did the scabbing & crustiness go away, but as you can see in my avaatar, the hair all grew back and I have not had to use the stuff again.   I began a corn-free dogfood & also stopped feeding all commercial treats with corn in any form.  Problem has never recurred.

Hope it works for you guys.  It worked miracles on Button's ears in just a few days, as I recall events of 3 years ago.

Hey MB, Natural Balance makes Potato and Duck treats, I'm ordering some for KS

arcatapet.com

Well, I don't know that it is -- but I'm ready to try everything (haha, then I won't know what worked) I'm also ordering low fat treats for my tubby little Dixie

Have you tried a low carb food?  Most "diet" foods are at least 50% carbs.  She could be hungry because she craves more protein.  Reduced fat EVO is only about 12% carbs.