Guest firegypsy Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Ugh. If it's not one thing it's another! Paladin is having some itching and hair loss on his chest. He scratches frequently and the area has gotten really red. There are some scabs, and the white hair is discolored. I contacted the woman we got him from and she said that he has a history of dermatitis. I guess he was on antibiotics before. He was a MESS when we got him. His coat was terrible, he had wounds in various stages of healing, but I didn't see this. I mentioned this to her and she though it was because he was muzzled so he couldn't chew on himself. I have an appointment at the vet, but they put me off for almost a week so that I could see the "skin specialist." We finally go on Monday. But he's so uncomfortable! I've been giving coconut oil and his coat looks gorgeous now, except for this one area. It was looking so bad that I washed it down and used some calendula succus on it, which seems to be helping quite a bit. It's no longer so red and he scratches it maybe only 25% as much as he used to. I'm glad to have found something that helps, but I'm anxious to get to the vet on Monday to get a proper treatment. My question is this. The calendula wash is clearly bringing him relief. But I'm wondering if I should abandon my efforts so the vet can see what's really going on? I don't want him to be uncomfortable, but I also don't want to delay the correct treatment. Any thoughts? I do NOT want to muzzle him. I feel like that would just be mean-he'd still be uncomfortable, he just wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Unless someone can give me a real good reason to do so, that ain't happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I'm not sure why you're so adamant about the muzzle since it's just another tool. It may be good only because the itching isn't providing any relief and may be making him worse over all. Have you tried giving him benedryl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I'm not sure I believe the itching isn't bringing relief. I guess that's why. I'm willing to be wrong, I'm just not willing to make him more uncomfortable. I have not tried benadryl. That's a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Can you take some pictures to show the vet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I would stop the topicals until you see the vet. Your vet make want to perform a fungal test, culture, skin scrape..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I would stop the topicals until you see the vet. Your vet make want to perform a fungal test, culture, skin scrape..... Agreed. The scabs and prior "wounds" make me wonder about a staph infection of the skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I would stop the topicals until you see the vet. Your vet make want to perform a fungal test, culture, skin scrape..... Agreed. The scabs and prior "wounds" make me wonder about a staph infection of the skin. Thank you. The prior wounds were actually wounds. Burns, trauma-things of that nature. They were on his spine and haunches. He was pretty beat up and his coat was dull and thick. After many oils and hours of brushing he's beautiful. The wounds have healed over and are clean, pink scars. This area is quite different. I'm thankful the skin isn't oozing or actively bleeding, but it is red, there is hair loss and the skin has small red spots. I'll try to get photos today even though it's far better than it was. I can ID rashes in humans, but I've no experience with dogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I'm thinking flea bite allergies and localized infection. The vet needs to check but what I think will stop the itching best is to cut the leaf off an Aloe Vera plant and squeeze some of the clear greeny sap onto the area and rub it in. If this redness only recentlay happend consider contact dermatitis from something in the environment. Sebocalm shampoo could help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrianRke Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 This sounds like flea allery dermatitis to me. Diamond usually gets it late in the summer. Even though I apply Advantange monthly, all it takes is one bite from a flea to cause this. I usually apply and itch relief spray to the area and eventually it heals on its own. I just limit her time outside and the latter part of the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Interesting. I know that many dispute the whole idea of a healthy dog being less appealing to pests, but one of my hounds is VERY healthy and the other, not so much. I'm working on it, but we've not even had him a month. Anyway, when they go out the midges swarm him. They don't go near her. I'd not be suprised if there was a flea issue for him and not for her. If that's what it is, would benadryl help in the interim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Yes, Benadryl will help. Some dogs are actually allergic to flea bites, so just ONE flea on the dog can really cause problems. He could also have some sort of allergy to grass, pollen, etc. If Benadryl helps, it points towards some kind of allergic reaction. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Yes, Benadryl will help. Some dogs are actually allergic to flea bites, so just ONE flea on the dog can really cause problems. He could also have some sort of allergy to grass, pollen, etc. If Benadryl helps, it points towards some kind of allergic reaction. well, I gave a benadryl this morning-right after seeing this post. I have to say I've not seem him scratch at all. Is it safe to give it again later if he starts up again? I'm cautiously optimistic that this helped. Me thinks it's time to order some frontline though for this guy. I don't know if he was on it at the rescue, but I'm going to contact them to find out. If it's flea related I want that taken care of! If it's something else, I'm not sure what that means...but hopefully the vet will have some ideas on Monday. Thanks for all the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 You can give 1mg/lb of benadryl by mouth every 8 hours as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 You can give 1mg/lb of benadryl by mouth every 8 hours as needed. thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Update: This was way more than I bargained for! I was at the vet for over two hours today with my boy. He has a fungal infection in both his ears, a bacterial infection/folliculitis on his chest as well as yeast AND a suspected allergy. He's on topical antibiotics, a topical antifungal, a systemic antibiotic and antifungal ear drops. He's also on allergy medication (Zyrtec) and a prescription omega 3 supplement to help chill out his immune system. They also extracted a fecal sample to test for parasites. The vet was worried about giardia (but I don't think that's the case-we'll see though!) So there we go. After a staggering vet bill, and more to come (a follow up next week and a dental since apparently his gums are inflamed as well) we may have some answers. This poor pup! No fleas though-that's the good news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Holy moly! Poor guy. I have seen allergies to cause bacteria infections. Probably from scratching and bacteria getting into the wounds. I hope he and your wallet feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minzenon Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 You could try half a cup of water and half a cup of listerine (yes the mouthwash). Dab it on a few times a day, if no improvement try straight listerine. Listerine kills a lot of bacteria. I should have added - you dab it around the affected area of the skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 What kind of prescription omega 3 supplement? Sound fishy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 What kind of prescription omega 3 supplement? Sound fishy. Lovaza? Good thing you brought him in - he must be uncomfortable. I'm sure you know to keep his belly healthy with probiotics (give away from antibiotics). Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 now with HOOKWORM! Good grief. I'm glad it's all fairly minor, but could this dog have ANY MORE ISSUES?!?! Now I'll be getting the other doggie tested to make sure they're not passing an infection back and forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gryffenne Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 (edited) You can give 1mg/lb of benadryl by mouth every 8 hours as needed. I have to give Sammi Benadryl during allergy season (and for contact allergies, etc...) Every time I give her her dose, I always recall back to when the vet first told me the dosage to give her. I was shocked because that stuff knocks me out! He said, "Don't worry, the ingredient that makes us drowsy doesn't normally affect them the same way." I looked at Sammi roached in the backseat of my car and back to him and asked, "How would you tell?" OP~ Glad that you got answers (sometimes it's almost a relief to just know what is going on vs. the unknown) and hoping for a speedy recovery for your pup! Edited August 19, 2011 by Gryffenne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AmberStar47988 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Aw, poor Paladin! I hope he feels better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Aw, poor Paladin! I hope he feels better soon. Thank you. Blessedly he already looks better. His personality changed with the administration of the meds in a positive way. Don't know if it was the Zyrtec or the Keflex, but either way he's much more outgoing, affectionate and playful. This makes me sad as it makes me think he was suffering more than I knew. He's still chewing on himself, but his skin has lightened up, no longer looks angry and is healing despite the chewing and licking (which is much less than it was.) We started Panacur last night for both Paladin and Darby. He had a minimal load, but I'm anticipating a few rounds. We shall see. I have instituted a reward system for the ear drops which he HATES with the fire of a thousand suns. So I place two treats on the counter and bring him over. He's a tall guy so he can easily see them. I do drops in one ear, followed by a treat. Lather, rinse, repeat. He now stands at attention and allows it instead of struggling and whining and running away. He's such a good boy and luckily for me, VERY food motivated. So we're on the mend! This has been a super expensive month, but they're totally worth it. I was dreading two dentals this month as well, but I spoke to the vet that cared for them off the track and she advised against it and offered suggestions for home maintenance instead. She just felt with all that was going on anesthesia was ill advised. Plus he just had a dental at the end of February so she asked me to wait a year before doing another one. That said I'm now on the hunt for bones he's willing to chew on. Darby too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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