Question:
My dog, Beau, an 11-year-old yellow Lab/beagle mix, has what my vet calls lip dermatitis around his lower lip and two small patches around his upper lip. The skin looks raw with scabs around it. It has been like this for a couple of years, sometimes worse than others. I have tried everything from changing all bowls to stainless steel and using steroid creams, and nothing seems to work. A biopsy was performed, and it suggested a possible allergic reaction to something because of where the dermatitis is located. There's also a possibility it's early epitheliotropic lymphoma. Beau eats Nutro dry food mixed with Iams wet food -- no beef flavors in case he may be allergic to them. There doesn't seem to be anything in these foods that should cause a reaction. Do you have any insight or possible causes or cures for this?.
T.H., Burke, Va Dec 24, 2006
Answer:
Chronic skin disorders on the lips and nose can be extremely difficult to treat. My approach would be to apply liquid aloe vera or aloe vera and cortisone four times a day. At even intervals, apply a thin smear of the following mixture of oils, also four times a day: 10 drops each of frankincense, myrrh and Helichrysum in 2 tablespoons of almond oil. Also, give your dog a daily human multivitamin-and-multimineral capsule and 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil in his food.
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