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Dog specialist

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  • 12-08-2010 11:34pm
    #1
    work
    Registered Users Posts: 661 ✭✭✭


    Hi,
    Have a dog with a skin condition. Have taken him to the vet a few times and they seem to have little clue what it is. They prescribe skin antiseptics and antibiotics but with no diagnosis and he only gets worse.
    I think it is unreasonbable to expect a vet to know all about all animals, that is a huge topic. However is there such a thing as a skin specialist for dogs, the equivalent of a dermatologist. If the answer is yes has anyone any suggestions of any or how I can find them. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
    Thanks for all help


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    #2
    Kya1976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,879 ✭✭✭Kya1976


    Wow thats terrible..... What has your vet suggested? I never heard of a specialist vet when it comes to skin conditions.

    I know I've had a similar problem with one of my dogs(skin condition/allergy), I went to a few different vets and they never seemed to be able to figure out the cause of the problem.
    Think I managed to figure out myself that part of his problmes is the he has hay fever.

    What has your vet suggested? Change of diet? Its a good idea to look at the diet when you have a dog with skin condition.


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    #3
    Miss Lockhart
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭Miss Lockhart


    Ask for referral to the veterinary dermatologist in the vet hospital in UCD.


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    #4
    Ado86
    Registered Users Posts: 372 ✭✭Ado86


    Yes there are veterinary dermatologists. Rory Breathnach is the veterinary dermatologist in UCD, requires referral though, so you would need for your own vet to organise this. Has your vet performed any sort of work up to try and reach a diagnosis ? If they have not, I would suggest going to a well recommended veterinary clinic capable of performing a full diagnostic work up for skin.
    What is the age and breed of your dog ? Symptoms ?


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    #5
    tazwaz
    Registered Users Posts: 303 ✭✭tazwaz


    hi op, i totally understand your frustration...i had a springer that had a skin problem, had him at the same vets for months with it. they kept saying it was mange and were treating him for that for bout 8 months. i kept asking for a biopsy but they said it was a bit extreme...in the end i rang a diff vet that was reccommended by a friend, explained his symptoms over the phone and the first thing she said was, "he needs a biopsy"!!!!
    turned out to be sebboreah and with special spot ons & shampoo it was totally controllable...no more itchiness for taz :-)


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    #6
    sral1
    Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭sral1


    What breed of dog have you got. Some breeds such as westies are more prone to skin problems than others. Also the food can be a problem. Some dogs can develop a type of alleragy to some types of food. A change of food can make a big difference. You could try a Chicken and rice dry food this seems to have a calming effect on the skin. Has your vet taken any skin scrapings to test? I would change the food for say a month and see if it helps.
    Hope this helps.


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    #7
    ashlingm
    Registered Users Posts: 215 ✭✭ashlingm


    I heard there is a skin specialist in lissenhall vets near Swords. Not sure if its true as I just heard from a friend and she didnt need a referral to go see him when her dog got a mystery skin condition.

    Worth giving them a ring anyway to find out - 8900375 :)


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    #8
    work
    Registered Users Posts: 661 ✭✭✭work


    Thank you for all the replies. I have been giving her zinc supplements for the last while and the skin condition slowly got beter and almost perfect now.
    Thanks again for all the advice


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    #9
    sudzs
    Registered Users Posts: 8,718 ✭✭✭sudzs


    Glad it's clearing up! That's interesting about the zinc. I had a collie-cross and he had a skin problem in that he was constantly itchy, especially the feet! He would chew them all night long, driving everyone mad!! The vet gave him steroids which stoped the itch but just made him extremely thirsty and so have to pee a lot! In the end I changed his dog food to one of the better quality ones, stopped the steroids and the skin cleared up!


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