Dogs skin issues

La.de.da

Need help/advice.
My elder dog approx 9/10 years old is having some skin issues.

It started with some lesions on his face near eyes mouth bad outer ears. It's now under his front 'arms' and on the back legs.

I've been to the vet four times in a the last two weeks. He's on steroids and antibiotics(which I think the antibiotic is making worse)

The joints near shoulders smell horrendous. Like sour milk. The lesions on the face are only healing up when he goes at them again and opens them back up.

My head and heart are wrecked from it. So is his poor divil is very uncomfortable.

It's not mites, doesn't seem contagious my other dog is fine.

Vet hasn't done a blood test.

Three weeks and no improvement at all.

Do I wash him? I've only been using cool boiled water to clean him.

Bells21

Is there any discharge from the wounds? Any hair loss?
Did the vet check for a yeast infection?

La.de.da

Bells21 wrote: »

Is there any discharge from the wounds? Any hair loss?
Did the vet check for a yeast infection?

There's weeping underneath the scabs. Hair loss on the tail.

Vet didn't check for yeast infection, he didn't do a scrape or blood test.

In between his toes and on the pads of his paws

Bells21

I would ask them to check for a yeast infection given the smell and location of the various sores. It's easy enough to get under control if it is a yeast infections.

La.de.da

Bells21 wrote: »

I would ask them to check for a yeast infection given the smell and location of the various sores. It's easy enough to get under control if it is a yeast infections.

Thanks bells. I'll bring back to the vet tomorrow. I'm pretty pissed after 3 appointments and €150 he still hasn't picked up the cause.

jimf

a skin scrape would be a good place to start

its hard to treat dog skin conditions without knowing what your treating

if could well be a seasonal thing my vet only recently told me he has never seen a year as bad for flare ups

the pollen has been crazy high this year as well I know

my eyes have been crazy this year itching and swollen I look like somebody who has pissed off a mod mentioning no names as its not allowed

shur its not dbb

Jimf banned for all of eternity.
Thanks.
DBB

Springwell

The locations and timing are common for harvest mite which is what your vet is treating with the steroids, the smell is probably a secondary infection hence the antibiotics.

Washing in Malaseb or Hibiscrub might be useful

If it persists into winter look at food allergens; try an exclusion trial - hypo/anallergenic nuts and nothing else for 6 weeks.

If you think it is seasonal look into Atopica, Apoquel and Artruvet with your vet - none are cheap but they are effective

jimf

I have one springer who suffers a little with heat spots and hibiscrub works a treat within days it starts to dry up

La.de.da

Called into the vet surgery and Got my hands on a bottle of malaseb.

She seems more comfortable after the wash. A lot of 'gunk' came off her skin.

Talking to the vet nurse there, she did say there's been an unprecedented rise in skin conditions this summer.

Anyway have to continue the steroids and antibiotics, wash her again Saturday and see how we go.

All I can do for her eyes is cool boiled water and cotton to clean twice a day.

Thanks for replies. Hate to see them tormented.

La.de.da

Ended up an emergency vet appointment yesterday evening and an overnight stay.

Dog had blood tests done all ok.

Biopsies of skin taken( infection!? has spread) they'll be back in a few days.

She had a drip for the night. Home now with steroids, antibiotics and painkillers.

She's loosing weight ( though eating and drinking, appetite is good)

Keep her in your thoughts. Worried sick.

Bells21

Fingers crossed they'll get to the root cause of it now. Hopefully once the meds kick in you'll have a happier dog. Keep us posted on the progress.

aonb

I had an elderly dog with odd symptoms, including skin hotspots, bloating etc - took ages to get it under control, skin scrapes, blood tests etc etc etc - never did find the reason for it, but the most frustrating time ever - so upsetting. I feel for you. Please do let us know how you get on. Fingers crossed for you both.

La.de.da

Hi just to thank you all for your messages and to update, unfortunately my little pal was put to sleep today.

Found out it was a rare immune condition, her body was in effect rejecting new skin cells trying to form to heal her sores. She became very unwell very quickly.

Held her paw to the last breath. I hope she's at rainbow bridge causing loads of mischief now x

F34

I'm so sorry at least she at peace now and you did everything you could.

tiredblondie

I'm so sorry to hear that La.de.da

As i was reading i was thinking it's similar to an issue i have with my girl - it started with skin issue under her front legs but a steroid cream from the vets cleared it up (that was a few months ago) and of late, issues around her face i.e. pimples and scab marks - the vets couldn't give me anything this time other than antiseptic wipes as she is going through tests for other issues and the steroid cream would affect the blood test results.

It's very sad that they couldn't figure out the cause before it got to that stage for you.

andreac

Oh no, im so sorry to hear that. Run free sweet girl xx

muddypaws

I'm very sorry La.de.da take care

mymo

So sorry to hear that, was hoping for a good news update.
Good you were with her, I know it's hard but it's the best you can do at that stage. Take care

pawrick

Really sorry for your loss, my own dog for the first time is suffering with harvest mites and this drew me to read this thread.

La.de.da

Thanks for your kind words. Non pet people don't get the pain and grief. It was a very weird first night without her cuddled up to me.
But I know she's in a much better place, cause she was my angel.

Bells21

I'm so sorry to hear. Look after yourself