pmgrape

We just adopted a 1-2 year old female beagle from a rescue this past
Wednesday. She is undergoing treatment for mange. She's already had one
shot and is due to get another a week from today. Currently skin is
very itchy and flakey.
We give her a Venison Meal and Rice dog food, a nutritional supplement
pill called Glenhave A2/N, and benadryl. We also gave her a bath using
an oatmeal dog shampoo lasy Thursday.
We're looking for suggestions to help her feel better such as a good
type of brush to use on her, a good shampoo, how often to bath her,
etc.
Also, she currently smells pretty bad and I'm thinking that it'll go
away when her skin is healed?

Thanks
Brian

robdar

The smell will go away...
Darn nasty smell isn't it?
I am a bit surprised the rescue released her before the treatment was
finished.

The oatmeal shampoo is about the best. We use Vet Solutions Aloe and
Oatmeal. If you plan to bathe her regularly, the oatmeal shampoo's do not
have the harsh chemicals in them that can cause skin irritations.

How often you bathe her will depend on her propensity to get dirty and how
much you like a dog who smells like shampoo. The Beagle is a somewhat low
maintanence dog in this regard. Their short tight coat does a pretty good
job of keeping them moderately clean and not smelling like a dog. We bathe
ours when they need it...no schedule to it. The Beagle is not like the lapso
or poodle or other breed that needs scheduled grooming.

We find the brushing hand mit works pretty well. The Beagle does not get
matted and tangled like other breeds so brushing is not as necessary except
to remove shedded coat.
A good diet is the best way to insure a healthy skin and coat. Supplements
and additives are not even necessary if the primary diet is good quality
foods. Foods like Diamond series foods, Innova, Gold Medal, Flint River etc.
etc. There are alot of really good foods available! Add to this using
natural treats...like carrots, celery, quince, apples...before treats like
milk bones...and you will have a happy bouncing Beagle who really has no
need for faddish and expensive dietary supplements and trendy pet boutique
treats.
One of the biggest health problems with Beagles...house Beagles...is
obesity. Do not let your Beagle get fat!