So sorry to hear about Pepper; we have been very fortunate with our cockapoo. She was bread by a home breeder. The food we feed her is corn and wheat free due to potential allergy. However, the last time my Mia was groomed, she too had a reaction - irritation to her face. Her nails were also cut and unlikely filed (which won't happen again). She itched so much, she cut her face all up. We brought her to the vet and he gave her a steroid to reduce the itching, and an antibiotic to ward off any infection. She had been groomed 2 other times by the same groomer without any of these. For us, it appeared she likely got "razor burn" and hopefully this will not be a recurrent thing. My $40 groom cost me $140 after the trip to the vet. Luckily, her body wasn't affected, just her face. Mia hasn't had an ear infection yet, but it is very common in dogs with floppy ears. If you google about cleaning dogs ears.there are some natural remedies out there that are supposed to help prevent ear infections. Also, make sure you pluck the hairs in Pepper ears that can retain moisture and block the flow of air into the ear canal. I've never done this, as my groomer takes care of it, but they suggest using a special tool and ear powder to help.
P.S. Pepper is so fortunate to have found you guys. Sometimes things are made to happen. Since he does have some health issues, some people would have given up on him. I bet he's sweet as anything. We love our cockapoo to death and we obtained her from a hobby breeder knowing clearly well she was a cockapoo with both the parents on the premises. What happened to you guys, happens all the time. Shame on this poor breeder who was misleading. You may want to switch the food that your using? Definitely no wheat, corn and look for stuff that is naturally preserved with no chemicals and by-products. As you may already know, you will not find these foods in chain stores like Pet Co, you need to find a small pet store owner that specializes in better quality, natural foods and treats. Good luck, I hope you get responses from others. From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cathy De Viney Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 10:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [cockapoo] Angry at irresponsible breeder Have you tried food without corn and wheat? banditsmom0707 wrote: For those who don't remember me, my name is Kim and my husband Tony and I have an almost 8mth old cockapoo named Pepper. His pictures are in the gallery. When we bought Pepper, we were naive and gullible and believed him to be a cocker spaniel. We didn't care that he wasn't registered. He wasn't going to be bred or be a show dog. We just wanted a companion for my disabled husband. Someone to keep his spirits up. Right away there were problems. First, Pepper got very sick when he had his puppy shots. They told us that he was sensetive to them and had to split them up and take benedryl before, during and after each shot. Then, the kept getting sick. Every little thing caused him to run fever and vomit. We were at the vets office every week at least once. The first time we got him groomed, he came home with a horrible rash. That freaked us out. He had to have shots to get rid of it. Soon he had his first ear infection. That took ear drops. It was just one thing after another. The second time we had him groomed, he developed a rash all over- anywhere the clippers touched. We had to give him antibiotics and steroid shots to get rid of it and we never could quite get it. Finally, it got so bad that our doctor referred us to a dermatologist. By now, the doctor told us that we couldn't get him groomed. In fact, no groomer would touch him, so I had to take the grooming over myself. It was during that time that we realized that something was wrong...our Pepper wasn't a cockerspaniel, he was a cockapoo. Now, I could have dealt with him being a cockapoo in the beginning. He was a sweet baby, and so loveable. But to blatenly lie to us, that was just wrong. Still, we would have bought him anyway. He is our sweet Pepper, our baby. Who couldn't love him? Not a soul. We couldn't afford the dermatologist, so I had taken over his grooming, making sure he was clean, brushed, and that all his sores were treated with antibiotic ointment. Well, it didn't matter because it all got out of control. His back is fully broke out, his nose is in badddd shape, covered in sores. His neck has raw spots on it, and his ears hurt him. So we took him back to the vet today to ask for some help. He has a staff infection all over his back, he has demadex mange on his neck and nose, and a double ear infection. The doctor said that he has no immune system. I am just heartbroken, and so angry at the woman who bred so irresponsibly and then lied about it. I have no way of finding her. I have tried. My poor baby suffers daily because of this evil woman. I wish they would make people apply for liscenses in order to breed. Does anyone else have a sick cockapoo that they could give me tips on how to make his life better. He is still just a baby. thanks, Kim -- Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein, (attributed) US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955) VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS Who Vote For "Pork" !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxgSubmiGt8 (You will need to "pause" often to read the info)
