Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Poor baby!  I sooo feel for her.  The only female that I had that went into heat was a mini schnauzer.  You barely knew that she was in heat.  Hardly more than a few spots, but I don't think that she was "normal" according to other stories that I've heard.
I had Bella spayed at 5 months, when the vet approved.  Some may disagree with that early, but my vet said there was no logical reason to wait.  I know growth issues have been discussed, but I don't think that it has affected Bella's growth at all.

Maybe Skuy's skin is worse than Bella's, but it doesn't sound like it.  Bella's only 13 months now, so I've only gone through one summer with her skin issues.  She gets little bumps that you can only see because she's black and the little bumps will make her hair stand up a little in those spots.  My vet just told me to give her Benedryl when they are bad.  Since I cut back on Bella's baths, her skin is actually doing much better.  She doesn't itch, and the bumps kinda come and go.  When it first started, she developed "foliculitis" and started losing her hair in spots, but after two weeks of antibiotics, everything was fine.
I agree with you about anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.  Don't fix it unless it's broke.  If it is mild, just keep doing what you're doing and maybe try some Benadryl occasionally.

Welcome again!  I'm Tessie, mom to a Great Dane, Belladonna, and a cat, Mojo.

Hahaha!  I am too scared to let Bella have the run of the house yet.  She is 13 months old, and can get into plenty of things while I'm here.  I can only have nightmares of what she could do out of her crate, alone!

Welcome!  I'm Tessie, mom to Belladonna, a Great Dane.  She is my first and has taught me plenty.
First of all, everyone here can give you great advice about what to feed.  Pheobe will let you know what will work for her.  For example, Solid Gold Wolf King is a great food, but doesn't agree with Bella.  (Soft stools for 3 months!)  I now feed here Nature's Recipe Venison (I think that's what it's called).  She's done great on it.  Every day or two, I pop open a fish oil capsule and put it on her food(great for skin and hair).  She pretty much eats as she wants, but I put out 3 cups twice daily.  She is 13 months and about 105lb or so.
As for toys, Bella loves them, but she started out with plenty of them.  I would think the best thing to try would be a kong filled with treats and peanut butter.  This should spark Phoebe's interest.
Good luck with her, and please post some pictures!!!!

YAYYYYY, for everyone involved!

Yeah, Bella loves to get the last bit out of a jar of peanut butter.  Thank goodness they are made out of plastic instead of glass like they were a long time ago!