Shiba Inu Blog

Can anyone tell me what to do with FAD - I believe my Shiba has this as he had fleas, we treated him with Advantax - Now he's itching all the time and his hair is falling out like crazy. Any suggestions or relief???? I feel so bad for him.

Posted by Tammy - Friday, May 12, 2006

Hi Tammy,
I am sorry to hear about your Shiba's health problems. Based on the information that you provided, your dog has been treated for FAD (Flea Allergic Dermatitis) with Advantix flea and tick control product. The problem with its main ingredient, Imidacloprid, is that while being safe for most dogs and cats, some animals can be actually allergic to it. This can aggravate your dog's skin condition and increase itching and hair loss. Please consult with your veterinarian specialist for hypoallergenic flea control products.

for more information about FAD, flea control, and flea control products overview, please visit http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/flea-allergy-dermatitis.aspx

Posted by Ivonne - Sunday, May 14, 2006

I think my shiba inu is going crazy. He constantly thinks that there are bugs on him as he bites at his chest,back,feet,etc. I brought him to the vet and they gave me some hypoalergenic shampoo.. I dont think that it is working out.. I even brought him back to the groomer that I use every two months and had her give him a flea bath,and also use that shampoo prescribed by the vet. Did you ever run into a situation like this or ever eard of this?? Any suggestions would be great.. Thank You very much...

Posted by George - Thursday, June 01, 2006

Hi George, if your dog does not have any fleas now, but the biting continues, then you should take a good look at his skin and see if there is any redness, hair loss or skin inflammation. These usually indicate that your dog has developed a dermatitis - a common skin disorder in dogs and cats. There is a wide variety of causes of dermatitis. I have done some research and found several excellent articles and links to dog skin problem resources:

6 major types of dermatitis

Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD)

Canine Allergies
Canine Allergies (by Dr. Character)

Dog skin allergies and diseases:

An effective treatment of any type of dermatitis starts with careful examination of your dog. I hope this information will be helpful. Good luck.

Posted by Ivonne - Saturday, June 03, 2006

Has the vet ruled out sarcoptic mange(also called scabies)? Vets can often miss this diagnosis and diagnosis the condition as allergic dermatitis. Please visit ThePetCenter.com and look up sarcoptic mange and the pinna-pedal reflex (in the same article). I hope this helps you shed some light on the subject and you get another opinion to get your baby relief. This is my 1st time writing I hope this note gets to you.

Posted by Doggiemomma - Wednesday, June 21, 2006

my shiba inu has aggresion problems and we're at the point of giving him away. he has bitten 5 people 4 of them bad bites please can someone give me tips or trainers just something.

Posted by bulldog7131 - Thursday, July 19, 2007

Where do you live? There are solutions to your problem. If you tell me the region you live in, possibly I can help.

Posted by jwilliamson - Monday, July 23, 2007

My family is interested in getting a shiba pup. I have two children ages 6 and 8. We have a fenced in yard and a moderately sized home. Can anyone give me any advice on shiba's. Also does anyone know of a reputable breeder in the New Jersey area. Thanks.

Posted by anneh824 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

My family is interested in getting a shiba pup. I have two children ages 6 and 8. We have a fenced in yard and a moderately sized home. Can anyone give me any advice on shiba's. Also does anyone know of a reputable breeder in the New Jersey area. Thanks.

Posted by anneh824 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

We have a Shiba Inu - 1 yr old. He has had knee surgery (luxating patella) and he has allergies that affect his mouth area and feet. We've been to 3 different vets. None can figure out what is causing it. We've been told inhalant by one, food borne by another (without any sort of testing). We've tried Steriods and antihistimines to no avail. He's a great dog. Very loyal. Doesn't bark. Loves to play with our boys, 13, 10 & 5. Please help!

Posted by rjdreiling - Friday, April 04, 2008

Everyone, if you own a Shiba Inu, please have a veterenary opthalmologist test their eye pressure for Glaucoma. Shiba Inu dogs have been diagnosed with a high predisposition to Glaucoma. GLAUCOMA IN SHIBA CAN LEAD TO BLINDNESS!!!! Glaucoma comes on suddenly, by the time it is properly diagnosed, one or both eyes may be blind. Glaucoma causes a spike in eye pressure, this results in a severe headache and instant blindness. There is NO CURE for glaucoma. There are treatments with eye drops and meds and some surgical procedures. If you love your Shibas, please have them tested regularly by a licensed Veterenary Opthalmologist for GLAUCOMA!!!!

Posted by litfiba67 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Hi everyone, I am a new Shiba owner, kind of an impulse buy. We already have a 5 year old black pug. My question is, how bad is the shedding? This is what happens when you buy a dog without researching. The other question is, are they hi energy? So far he seems to be fine but he is only 11 weeks old. I will welcome anything else that you have to offer. I know that it says heavy shedding on this site, just wanted to speak to someone who has experienced it! Thanks. Joanne

Posted by joanneheenan - Thursday, December 18, 2008

I have a 10 month old shiba and he is great. He is loyal, doesn't run around barking(unless you provoke him playing)and has a personality like a reincarnated person(sighs when you tell him he can't lick the tiles on the coffee table) However, he has been chewing on his back, and a little on his sides. It seems to be concentrated near the base of his tail in about a 4 inch diameter. I thought maybe flea related but he hardly ever has a flea on him and he's an (clean)apartment dog. I thought food allergy so we are currently conducting a food test and he got about 75% better in 4 weeks but like AA he has the occassional relapse. He is eating Eukanuba sensitive skin formula dry food which is made up of ocean fish, barley & rice. I heard if it is a food allergy it can take up to 12 weeks to completly clear up. Any other ideas?

Posted by mpoptimus2 - Saturday, December 27, 2008

Our Shiba Inu puppy is 14 weeks old. He's been such a joy to have and is loving and learning quickly. He has a TON of energy though and loves to play. My question is that shortly after bringing him home I noticed a small patch of hairloss on his forehead and eventually a scab which the vet treated with antibiotics. The scab has healed up but he still scratches all the time and has other small patches of hair gone on his forehead. He also scratches his body, but I haven't seen any hairloss or scabs. He's an adorable little boy so I hate to see him lose his hair and be itchy. I bought some wound cream that I put on ocassionally which seems to help for a short while. Any suggestions? The vet said she did not see any indication of parasites on the skin scraping and she really didn't think it was ring worm (the lesions are not necessarily round shape). The only thing she saw was a small bacteria.

Posted by hjl4homes - Friday, January 09, 2009

In response to Allergies, you may want to ask your vet if it could possibly be a yeast infection. My dog had a yeast infection which was on his body and feet. I was given a special shampoo for him and it cleared up. I also used OTC for vaginal yeast infections which also worked on his soars. When it comes to the mouth, the only suggestion I have is if you are using plastic dishes for your dog, throw them out and buy glass or stainless steel bowls. Mine also had soars around his mouth cause by bacterial buildup in plastic dishes. Just some of the things I have experienced that I thought may help. Good luck. I hope your puppy gets better soon.

Posted by junetucker - Sunday, January 18, 2009

I have a 4 yr old Shiba Inu who I think has FAD. She recently started showing all the symptoms on top of a horrible painful scream especially through out the night. I've used hypoallergenic detergent to wash everything in my house, have used hypoallergenic flea shampoo but this just hasn't stopped. I've even reverted to paper training to eliminate fleas for the time being. I've consulted my vet and they've not given me any really good advice other than what I've all ready done for her. They didn't offer any medications for it. Does anyone have any advice beyond what I've all ready tried to eliminate her pain? Beyond that she's a really sweet and other wise healthy dog. :o( Breaks my heart to see her in this much agony.

Posted by halfahalo - Thursday, January 29, 2009

I looked up online today skin problems with Shiba inu dogs and found other comments similar to the problem that my Mother's dog has (sounded similar)I am concerned about my Mother's Shiba who constantly over the past 6 months bites his stomach area (used to be nice pink color) and now it has turned kind of a bumpy dry black skin (looks like skin on a snake) best way to describe it I guess, now he seems to be scratching his tail area also the past few weeks, have any of the owners out there noticed any discoloration of their dog's skin that he bites? discoloration is most noticeable on his stomach along the inside of his back legs areas, he seems to have no other problems, VERY peppy, eats well although not a dog food lover at all, wants people food, there is just he and my 86 Year old Mother who owns him and takes excellent care of him and I myself doesn't know how she does it with the energy that the dog has. Any similarities with your experiences with your dog's itching would be greatly appreciated if you could pass it on, maybe someone else notices similarities that I tried to express as best as I could. Thank You, Good Luck with All your Shiba Inu's WE Love our (Mom's) dog.

Posted by neapmstudley - Friday, February 20, 2009

I know a person who lives in the Cave Creek area of Arizona at 1 yr old his dog started the watery eyes and itching. He has put him on raw food. Corn, wheat, gluten, rice and barley will cause problems. Grains are sprayed with chemicals. Also in the Spring and summer and fall is when it is bad and this would be environmental. Look up Robert McDowell herbal-treatments he is in Australia his remedies work and get your dogs off of processed foods with grains. This breed from everything I have read have allergies to the food and environment. I would suggest raw rabbit or turkey with fresh vegetable's and blueberries and apple. For the itching use apple cider vinegar mixed with pure water or chamomile tea decaf with water in a spray bottle it is very soothing. Add some olive oil extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons in their food they are drying out from the environment use no aerosol cans like bug spray or pledge in a can the chemicals will make it worse. The only reason they start biting or aggressive behavior is because they don't feel good.

Posted by kramerc - Wednesday, March 04, 2009

I inherited a beautiful white Shiba Inu at almost age 8 with one eye (due to glaucoma). About a year later he had to have the other eye removed (glaucoma). He is now a little over 9 years old & has adapted like he can see as plain as day. I spent many days crying my eyes out before the decision was made to have his other eye removed. He goes out to the park almost daily & walks like the little prince he is. He is the best little guy & my husband & I love him very much & couldn't ask for a better little guy!!

Posted by pinellassunnyside - Saturday, March 14, 2009

Shiba are known to have allergies. i have my own itchin' Shiba. I went with raw food, which helped some, and tried several other 'treatments' until I gave in and had him allergy tested. I was showing him, so it was a big sacrifice to have his side shaved. But he had gotten so bad from the itching (that's how allergies 'come out' in dogs) that his tail was bald, so I couldn't show him anyway. In just a few minutes, we found several things that he was allergic to. Some can be avoided, some cannot. Imagine our shock when we found out he was allergic to dust mite and PEOPLE! (No joke! People have dander, but like dogs...) He gets shots once a week to build up his immunities to those substances. It works, but it's costly. Even with the shots, he'll have an occasional flair up, so I add an antihistamine on those days. If you get a good 12 hour one, it saves a lot of headache with trying to give a pill. As you know, Shibas are finicky eaters and can find a small capsule inside any piece of food. He still gets his fish oil, E, alfalfa, and seaweed. If you plan to go with a raw diet, you'll need the two bibles of feeding raw: GIVE YOUR DOG A BONE, by Dr.Ian Billinghurst.....and NATURAL NUTRITION FOR DOGS AND CATS by Kymythy Schutze.

Posted by lrydberg195 - Monday, March 23, 2009

I have an eight year old female Shiba that was diagnosed with an allergy to grass. She chews her feet constatnly and scratches the side of her mouth until it bleeds. OUr vewt finally found the right combination of meds to control it and also restricted her food to a low allergan food from Hills Brotheres and no people food, we can give her white marshmallows which is what we put her medicine in. She loves them! Her meds are prednisone and trentyl taken together. One does not work without the other. She is on them for about 6-7 months out of the year until the frost comes.

Posted by rineebear - Monday, May 18, 2009

A day or two after a bath my Shiba will suddenly yelp and sit down abruptly for a couple of days. She also seems feverish. We don't sit her in water and do rinse her thoroughly. We've given her baby aspirin and Benedryl but they don't seem to help much. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do for it?

Posted by luovatxn - Wednesday, May 20, 2009

What did you find out about your puppy's hair loss? I have a 13 week-old shiba experiencing hair loss about the face and shoulders with a constant all-over body itch. She does not have mange but is thought to be a reaction to flea bites. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO YOUR FINDINGS- thank you! Your original comment" Our Shiba Inu puppy is 14 weeks old. He's been such a joy to have and is loving and learning quickly. He has a TON of energy though and loves to play. My question is that shortly after bringing him home I noticed a small patch of hairloss on his forehead and eventually a scab which the vet treated with antibiotics. The scab has healed up but he still scratches all the time and has other small patches of hair gone on his forehead. He also scratches his body, but I haven't seen any hairloss or scabs. He's an adorable little boy so I hate to see him lose his hair and be itchy. I bought some wound cream that I put on ocassionally which seems to help for a short while. Any suggestions? The vet said she did not see any indication of parasites on the skin scraping and she really didn't think it was ring worm (the lesions are not necessarily round shape). The only thing she saw was a small bacteria.

Posted by ltapp - Sunday, July 05, 2009

Just wanted to share that I have a 10 year old black and tan Shiba with severe skin allegeries. Tried almost everything to help her, the best advice that I can give is to try Atopica. Atopica is precription only. It is expensive. 30 pills is $109.00 per month. It does work on my dog, not 100 percent, but I did see 70 percent improvement. If interested, get it from Pet Meds with a presription.

Posted by Bennerlab1966 - Thursday, August 20, 2009

I adopted a 3 year old Shiba whom I love. She seems to enjoy walking. I took her to a dog park to see what kind of exercise she liked. She had no interest in fetching. She sniffed around a bit but then came to me and just " hung around" She does not seem to be an over active dog but I know she needs exercise. I have to use a cane so I can not take very long walks. I was thinking of getting a few things like they use at dog shows but I don't know if this would be appropriate. I know she enjoys wrestling but I do not want to encourage that as I have small grandchildren. I am really desperate to find some kind of exercise that will keep her happy and healthy. Thank you for your help. Jill

Posted by wingelljill - Sunday, October 11, 2009

Jill, About your exercise problem with your Shiba, I recently adopted a 5 yr old Shiba. She really didn't like to do much when we first got her, but after a couple of trips to the swamp she found a new love of playing. She really enjoys going into the water. I would suggest bringing your Shiba to a lake or river. Exercise equipment is expensive and I'm not sure it's worth it. Also, our Shiba doesn't like to play fetch either, but she will chase the wild apples if we throw them. It's like catching her own food. Maybe try throwing some small apples for your Shiba? It's been my experience that sometimes you have to teach dogs to play. Keep at it and I think she will learn to love playing with you. There are also dog clubs that you can take your Shiba to that have the AKC obstacles and things. If you can't get her to play, maybe go to one of those training places and see if they can get him/her to do some of that stuff.

Posted by aerithhojo - Sunday, October 18, 2009

My Shiba was also a rescue. It took a few monthes, but he will play "ball" with me. Although it starts out as fetch, it turns into solo hockey. At least he's playing. As for water-he hates it! But every dogs different.

Posted by cptoys - Sunday, November 08, 2009

My sweet 4 1/5 year old Shiba: 1. Itching and semi-diarrhea: Solved through diet limited to chicken or beef Raw Frozen food, Nature's Variety. Turkey seemed to be the big problem for her. 2. Absolutely have your Shiba checked for Glaucoma. Our so very young Shiba has just been diagnosed and it seems she will lose at least one eye. One day her eye looks terrible and weeping, she is miserable. It happened just that fast. We had no idea. Let me tell you, the news cuts a heart like a dagger.

Posted by rontuttle1 - Sunday, January 24, 2010