Posted by admin

Dear Dr. Fox: I have a three-month-old German shepherd, and she has major dry-skin issues. The vet told me to give her two tablespoons of cottage cheese, and it should clear up. But it hasn’t. Is there anything else I can do to treat her at home, or does she need medication?  K.M., BRICK, N.J.  Dr. Fox says: This cottage-cheese cure is new to me.  First, the pup should be tested for worms. When a young dog has a poor coat, examining a fecal sample for these internal parasites, which are extremely common in pups, is called for.  Next, look at what kind of food you are giving her. Dry foods are notoriously low in essential fatty acids and often too high in carbohydrates.  Your dog would probably benefit from a twice-daily, 500-mg capsule of fish oil placed in her food.