I have a 13 year old, large Golden Retriever who has many, many fatty deposits under his skin – many quite large. He also periodically gets sebaceous cysts (which the vet lances and drains). I am told the cysts are common to Goldens and there is nothing I can do. Is there a holistic approach that could help these cysts (shrink, slow growth, etc.)
Thanks.
Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Large breed dogs especially the Golden Retriever are prone to lipomas (fatty deposits). There is a strong connection with lipomas and carbohydrate quality in dog foods.
My primary recommendation would be to offer your dog a high quality protein, whole grain diet with no food dyes or preservatives. Nutrition is the foundation of health and has a tremendous effect on skin and immune health. There are several recommend food brands on the Food Allergies webpage.
Secondly, skin health can be supported with fatty acids, Ultimate Skin and Coat by NaturVet or Super EPA by Thorne are both excellent supplements for the skin.
Also I would recommend discussing your Golden’s skin with a holistic vet that practices Chinese medicine. There are many Chinese herbs used for skin health and issues that may decrease the incidence of cysts. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA