New owner seeking guidance!

[mellypoo]

Emba is 16 weeks old and has very slight but continuous white, stringy discharge from her eyes. It doesnt bother her and we just continuously wipe it away to avoid build up - should we be worried? I have also noticed over the last week that she has tiny wart like skin tags appearing over various parts of her body - is this normal?

Dont want to take her to the vets every time something new crops up so would welcome any advice

[JemarsSerena]

The eye boogers sound like allergies. What are you feeding her? DOn't know about the skin tags.

[mellypoo]

Thanks for getting back so quickly. She is on Bakers complete food that is supposed to contain all the minerals, nutrients etc. that she needs. Do you think this could be causing it? Can you recommend an alternative?
Many thanks.

[Anne]

Yes. I would take her to the vet. Skin tags do happen with older dogs but it's unusual for pups to get them.

I'm one who does run to the vet if my dog is experiencing something I don't understand and don't know how to deal with.

[mellypoo]

Many thanks Anne :o) I will give my vets a call and get her checked out. She also hic-cups alot so they can hopefully put my mind to rest on a few things!

[Anne]

Hiccups are normal. I've never had a pup that didn't hiccup.

Let us know how you get on at the vets.

[molochai2580]

Looks like Bakers is made by Purina.... click on the search button on the top and type in food. You will find an abundace of information on much better foods.

And hiccups are normal... they usually grow out of them in about a year....lol

[spoiledbabies3]

Eye boogers can be a result of a lesser quality food and/or allergies. I noticed with my 6 mo rescue that she had eye boogers until we changed her diet, she was originally on Purina (with the rescue group) and now she eats Innova (a premium food). It took us several weeks to switch the food but as a result the eye boogers haven't returned. The skin tags really need to be looked at by the vet...please keep us posted on her progress and we LOVE puppy pics!

[mellypoo]

Thanks for all your help. I am now changing her food to Iams as it seems to be the highest quality food I can get locally. However, now she has started scratching and licking like mad!! What I thought were skin tags (under greater inspection) were actually little scabs. Emba and our two cats have all been flea treated with front line so it cant be that. But I am also covered in little midge bites and wondered if they bit dogs too?

[mrrsteelers]

My new pups have the eye stuff. We were in getting shots yesterday and she said food allergies. They both have it and ear infections. I had just switched from Purina One large breed puppy food to Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken with some Steve's Real Food (chicken) at night. The Purina has chicken too so I'm thinkin maybe the seafood in both the new foods. I'll find out more Monday when I get ear meds and give Vet ingrediant list from the foods.

[AB1101]

Iams is not quality food either. You should do some more research on Pet Stores in your area. The big chains do not sell the quality foods. Try California Natural, Canidae, Innova, before using Iams.

[GypsysMom]

With Iams Gypsy had the eye boogers as well, I switched to Canidae and since she has been on it for over a month her eye boogers are gone... I thought Iams was a great food but after joining here I realized I was wrong, Also with the higher Quality food the dog produces less waste, Gypsy is 20 weeks old and goes pooh 3xs a day

[observer]

The OP is in the UK, and may not have the same choices we have here.

[AngelBunny]

mellypoo:

Maybe it would be helpful if you'd go round to the various stores selling dog food, write down their names, and post them here. Perhaps we can help you find a better food than the two you mentioned. Here in the states, both aren't considered very good.