ASK-A-VET: WILL DREAM COAT HELP?
June 30th, 2009 by Dr. Donna Spector
Q: My dog was diagnosed with hepatitis in Feb. I have been cooking chicken and rice for him and recently started him on canidae. He also has been biting his feet due to allergies? Is the dream coat something that might help this? Would HALO be good for his liver failure? I am leery starting any new food, but your product seems to be a positive idea for Quinny.
He is a 6 yr old rotty lab who is a big mush!
Thanks much..
Cheryl
A: Hi Cheryl:
Allergies are a very common cause of foot biting in dogs (especially this time of year). However, just to make sure we aren’t overlooking anything in Quinny, I would also recommend you ask your veterinarian about “Hepatocutaneous Syndrome”. Although uncommon, it is a condition that affects the feet and skin in dogs with hepatitis and other significant liver or endocrine diseases. Sometimes the earliest signs we see are foot biting and itching. There are specific treatments that we recommend for Hepatocutaneous Syndrome that wouldn’t be the same as allergy treatment…so just ask your vet to be complete.
The Halo Dream Coat is a blend of 6 cold-pressed virgin oils that provides an excellent spectrum of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids have proven beneficial in many cases of allergies as well as other inflammatory conditions (such as hepatitis, kidney inflammation, intestinal inflammation, arthritis, etc). It is likely that Quinny may benefit from fatty acid supplementation for several reasons. 
Please review my article Supplements for Skin and Coat: How to Achieve a Dream Coat in Your Pet for more information on fatty acids and Dream Coat.
Halo dog foods are natural foods that lack synthetic chemicals, artificial dyes or preservatives. Almost all chemicals that dogs eat must be metabolized or broken down by the liver, so I definitely recommend a natural or balanced home-cooked diet for dogs with liver problems.
Hope this helps. Good luck with Quinny.
Dr. Donna Spector
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June 30th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I was so excited to read this I had to respond. I have a nine year old rottie lab who has Sterile granuloma syndrome and may have kidney failure. She also had cancer surgery last year as well. She is on low thyroid meds as well as Cyclosporine Caps and Medrol. My girl looks just like Quinny, except older and heavier. I can’t help but wonder if the rottie lab mix has health issues, since both Cheryl’s dog and mine are ill. I’m almost sure my dog has cancer or something wrong with her again, it’s just on going and the expensive.
She also is chews on herself constantly. I have tried a essential fatty acid supplement on her awhile back, but she got so fat, I had to stop it.
Good Luck with your pup Cheryl, he’s a cutie!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:46 am
Dear Charlotte,
Thanks for sharing your story about your female Rottie-Lab mix. You inquired whether this mix breed has more health problems. My answer is not more than any other dog of this age group. Since our pets are living longer lives due to excellent healthcare, we are seeing more chronic disease (like kidney problems, cancer, etc) just like people get as they age. If you are seeing troublesome symptoms with your dog, see your veterinarian for advice–tell them you would like to care for her as well as possible within your budget. As far as a fatty acid supplement, I would recommend trying our Dream Coat. Hopefully she could get relief from her itching and scratching. The Dream Coat dosage for a dog of her size can provide additional calories that it sounds like she doesn’t need. Begin the supplement and cut back the amount of food you are giving her by about 25% and hopefully that will keep her weight “in check”. Good Luck.
Dr. Donna Spector
July 1st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Thank you, I appreciate your reply