Medicated Shampoo For Dog

[JurgenG]

Our old dog ( 12 y.o.) is not as healthy as he used to be He get sick more and more often, now some skin disease. I think his immune system is slowly giving up.

First question, beside some antibiotics, the vet prescribed some medicated shampoo that is awfully expensive. It seems similar to Dettol, can we use Dettol instead, maybe more diluted ?And then can we use it on a regular basis to prevent a return to his skin problem?

Then as I said it seems his immune system is not as good as it used to be. Is it any way we can help him to keep a strong immune system through old age ?

Last think, if you like your dog, don't watch "Marley and me". We are now in the last part, our dog can't walk up the stairs anymore. My gf cried like crazy at the end of the movie, I know she was thinking about our dog (same breed). It was not very pleasant to watch it the first time. To watch a real life repeat is even worse.

Edited October 2, 2011 by JurgenG

[LeCharivari]

Jurgen,

as far as the shampoo goes, its difficult to say without knowing what he's giving you already and what its for. At a guess (and only a guess) its most probably for yeast infection so probably Nizoral (2% ketoconazole). If so, a much cheaper but identical shampoo is Ketazon which is available from most pharmacies, Lotus, etc.

If your vet has prescribed Kezole (Ketoconazole) tablets make sure that he also takes Samarin 70 (70 mg Silymarin, morning and evening) to minimise any liver problems which can be a side effect of Ketoconazole tablets. Some vets here are aware of this, some aren't (Samarin should be available at the bigger pharmacies).

I wouldn't use Dettol as a shampoo - its poisonous and so if your dog swallows any or licks any that he has left on his coat this could be very dangerous, even fatal.

I don't wan't to stir up the argument over diets again, but whatever the pros and cons of different diets at 12 years old any major change in your dog's diet, particularly if he has a weak immune system, could be counter-productive and do as much harm as good. Talk to your vet first.

[JurgenG]

The shampoo is DemaPet Malacetic. For the pills, he has 5 different ones, but they are in these white small plastic bags with the instruction in Thai so I've no idea what it is.

The symptoms are black spots all over the body, losing his hairs around the spot and I don't think it's because he scratches. After two days of treatment he seems to get better, no scratch anymore, let see ...

Regarding the diet prescribed by the vet, it's usually the most expensive stuff available in his shop

Edited October 3, 2011 by JurgenG

[LeCharivari]

The shampoo is DemaPet Malacetic.

Jurgen,

Dermapet Malacetic are "all natural" general purpose dog grooming shampoos and conditioners - and you're right, they are expensive. It sounds like either mange or ringworm, but this could be easily confirmed by a skin test, which I presume he's had. Its completely unfair to comment on vets, so I'd just say that if he get's better, great - your vet's done a good job, but if not then I'd be tempted to try a second opinion.

[harrry]

the ingredients of that is boracic acid 2% and vinegaar 2% in shampoo so should be easy to make.

Edited October 3, 2011 by harrry

[LeCharivari]

Agreed, Harry - it looks very expensive for what it is. My only reservation with "making" dog shampoo yourself is that you should use dog shampoo, not human shampoo; I've found Kezole to be very effective and its a genuine "medicated" shampoo specifically made for treating yeast and similar skin infections, which I can strongly recommend it from personal experience for dogs (and people!).