Information

Below are a list of things that have been tried and tested and are known to work for LAD puppies. It is always trial and error if you are trying something new, if you try something that works please let us know so we can add it to the list.

CRADLE CAP

In the early days of LAD Babies Cradle Cap shampoo and cream works very well, it softens the skin and the hard skin on the pads and just wipes off. As LAD progresses there are a variety of creams you can try, we have found that one will work very well and then stop working so you use a different one and perhaps go back to the original one another time.

FUCIDERM

If the skin is really inflamed Fuciderm is the best thing to use, this is a steroid based cream so use sparingly and only for as long as you have to. If you mix Fuciderm with Neutrogena hand cream it softens the skin as well as starts the healing process.

HYDROCORTISONE

An alternative to Fuciderm for when the skin is not badly inflamed but needs a little something less than Fuciderm.

ATHLETES FOOT CREAM

Such as Neutrogena and Canesten work very well for sore split pads and do keep the pads soft and pink. These creams are soothing and effectively treat the skin.

AQUEOUS CREAM

This cream is cheap and perfect for keeping the skin moisturised when its not inflamed or very scabby. Aqueous cream is a light, non-greasy moisturiser that provides a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.

VASELINE

A good dose of Vaseline the night before a bath will soften the hard skin and make it nice and easy to rub off.

MALASEB

Malaseb Shampoo is the ideal choice for removing scales, degreasing the skin and killing cutaneous microorganisms, which primarily or secondarily cause dermatitis. It can also be used daily.

HIBISCRUB VET

Hibiscrub Vet is a Chlorhexidine based skin cleanser and can be used as a general everyday wash.

SUPPLEMENTS

There are a variety of supplements you can use, combine them to what your little one needs.

My own preferred combination is Herbaticus WOW And 809 (809 if and when needed) plus Evening Primrose Oil (Daily) and if a skin flare up occurs I give Aloe Vera tablets for a few weeks. I personally use wow as a supplement for all my dogs it is very good for general wellbeing. Ring Herbaticus and explain your puppies own problems and Fanny will give you the best advice for your particular needs.

OTHER USEFUL EQUIPMENT

A heat lamp is ideal for the winter a heat pad is also good but be careful they cannot chew the wires, microwave hot water bottles are also a godsend they stay warm for 6-8 hours so great for travelling or just to use in the bed if extra heat is needed.

An exfoliating glove and a very soft nail brush are brilliant for rubbing off loose flaky skin and keeps little feet lovely.

A baby bath is easy to bath a little one and far less daunting than the big bath, and plenty of old towels.

Nail clippers and a muzzle, its a well known fact that LAD puppies do not like having nails cut and they do seem to grow much faster and much softer than normal.

A raised feeder is also much easier for LAD puppies, they just seem to eat much better than with a bowl on the floor, probably because most are quite overshot.

A whole heap of T Shirts, Jumpers, Coats and blankets. These babies feel the cold and need to be kept warm, start early with T Shirts to get them used to wearing clothes. Once fully grown it is really worth investing in a couple of Equa Fleeces for the winter. www.equafleece.co.uk

A crate that is big enough to put a bed in and newspaper is worth having for days when you cannot keep an eye on them or you have to go out. Crate train them from young, so long as they are warm and snug they will be quite happy and safe in the crate for a few hours. Cover the crate with a blanket and a piece of vet bed on the bottom so that no cold or draughts can get in. Most LAD puppies are just as adventurous as able bodied bullies!!

A litter tray (You can buy a tray that takes the puppy training pads in most large pet stores) use this to line with newspaper. You can toilet train a LAD puppy but of course it takes a little longer and a litter tray is ideal to keep little accidents in one place.

A doggy stroller is very useful if you have a very small LAD puppy, most do enjoy going out with the big dogs and socialising.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Keeping safe & cosy