Snowie's colour is his name -- he is basically a white Labrador even though I know it is proper to say he is yellow! In the past couple of months his elbows have turned pink. His fur turns pink if he licks or scratches a spot incessantly, which is a useful sign for inspecting and treating the skin underneath the fur. Unfortunately he's an allergic boy so he gets itchy skin. His elbows are pink cos he uses his hind legs to scratch them. I did try applying a cortisone cream (from the vet) but they got worse. So I stopped with that cream and just used my trusty apple cider vinegar and calendula cream. But they're still pink and he still tends to scratch them from time to time with his hind legs. Any advice on how to get the fur back to white? I ask cos he's supposed to be in an advert this coming week (he's a handsome boy and they like his white colour) but I somehow think the pink elbows might give them second thoughts about using him... And does anyone know why the fur turns pink? I forgot to ask my vet why. I also noticed this morning at the beach that other yellow Labs have pink elbows. Funny how you suddenly notice something when it affects you. Thank you!
Re: Pink elbows Usually the pink stains on white fur are caused by saliva, so excessive licking or nibbling. My Clumber gets a bit itchy and once caused a pink stain on his back. It will disappear in time if you can get to the cause of the itchiness and the dog no longer feels the need to lick or nibble at his fur.
Re: Pink elbows Thank you Heidrum. Makes so much sense that saliva turns the fur pink. Although I have noticed areas where he cannot lick that have turned pink from scratching (under his neck, armpits). We are forever trying to find ways to reduce his itchiness -- feels like my life work! Among many other remedies (vet recommended and other), he is on a raw diet (dramatic effect in reducing his itchiness) and we keep him as cool as possible. Using a cooling mat at night for sleeping on has made a massive difference, he scratches so much less at night. Unfortunately it is that time of year (summer) where his itches get worse.
Re: Pink elbows My sympathies! I also did a lot of changes to diet and general management but the biggest difference has been Apoquel. He is on a daily dose and it has stopped the itchiness quite dramatically. Apoquel doesn't have the side effects that steroids have.
Re: Pink elbows Thank you for your sympathies (I feel so sorry for the boy when he's itchy) and for letting me know about Apoquel, I will ask my vet about it. At this stage she thinks he is doing very well. Most people comment on how healthy he looks; you would never think he spends time at home scratching, licking, and chewing -- when out and about he is too curious and excited to think about scratching! At this moment I am thankful that he has spent the past three hours fast asleep, not one lick or scratch, after lots of swimming and a wonderful romp on the beach earlier.
Re: Pink elbows Don't worry, they will be able to 'photo shop' the pink elbows out ;D I am sorry though that he has itchy skin, that is miserable for both of you.
Re: Pink elbows Thanks Stacia. Not sure if it is a print ad or TV ad (can they Photoshop moving images?). When I got the call I was so excited and flattered that they chose my boy that I didn't think to ask much! Although afterwards I did a background check of the animal wrangler to determine how she treats animals and have been told she uses very kind methods -- otherwise I would've pulled out.
Re: Pink elbows I am sure they can do something with moving images, lots of film stars seem to have their wrinkles disappear
Re: Pink elbows [quote author=Stacia link=topic=9975.msg145261#msg145261 date=1424684999] I am sure they can do something with moving images, lots of film stars seem to have their wrinkles disappear [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: Pink elbows Just to update you: Snowie completed his first commercial assignment as... a police sniffer dog!! Too funny!! His role was to sniff out the charcoal that a guy was smuggling in his van, pretending to be someone who loves to barbeque. I was too excited and intimated (being on a film set for the first time) to ask for details of the story behind the TV commercial for the charcoal. But the dog's role was to sniff out the charcoal hidden away in the van. I washed Snowie in the morning and he came out white and soft and then they promptly painted black "charcoal" splotches onto his face. No-one mentioned his pink elbows so perhaps no-one even noticed them. I was advised to put Zambuck on them by an experienced Lab owner -- he said it is excellent for all hotspots, very healing and stops the scratching. Snowie doesn't mind it and I do believe it has worked, elbows are no longer itchy and they are definitely healing. (Zambuck is basically Vaseline with camphor and eucalyptus). Snowie loved the whole experience and the animal wrangler on set was just wonderful. And hopefully will have other roles for him in the future because he really does love new adventures.
Re: Pink elbows Awesome! I hope the fame doesn't go to his head. He'll start demanding Evian in his water bowl if you're not careful
Re: Pink elbows [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=9975.msg146339#msg146339 date=1425048918] Oh how brilliant! Will they send you the commercial when it is finished? [/quote] They said I should be in contact with the film company to get a link to YouTube. It comes out on TV in Finland in April so I won't be seeing it here on TV in South Africa! But I took videos myself -- my husband wanted to be able to see what went on. I was so excited at the first take that I found myself creeping closer and closer to the action and quickly realised I was almost in front of the real cameraman!!!
Re: Pink elbows [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9975.msg146341#msg146341 date=1425049817] Awesome! I hope the fame doesn't go to his head. He'll start demanding Evian in his water bowl if you're not careful [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
