Best vet in Dublin/Wicklow/Kildare region....

terrydel · 13-09-2019 12:38pm #1

We have an 11 month old collie/shepherd cross who is plagued with skin problems. We've tried everything from antibiotics, anti inflammatories, cytopoint, highly restrictive diet (Hill's z/d prescription only), shampoos, flea/tick medications, everything. So far he just cant shake it. Allergy testing is the next step once hes 12 months old and had a full yearly cycle of exposure to all potential allergens.
Its really affecting the quality of his coat and his general quality of life, especially when its bad. The cytopoint worked wonders the first time, but second time its been a bit of a let down. So far, the anti inflammatory seems to work best and quickest.
So looking for the best vet we can find to treat this issue and help him get better. Whatever it costs we dont care. Just want to see him happy and without this dreadful discomfort.
Any recommendations very much appreciated, especially from anyone who has experienced similar issues with their dogs.
Thanks.

I might also add hes been tested for mites, mange etc and all has come back negative.

ganmo · 13-09-2019 12:57pm

ucd vet hospital ??

mobby · 13-09-2019 1:06pm

Hills Pet Food :eek: Could be the issue. While never have had to use this vet myself, have only heard good things about her. http://www.holisticvetdublin.com/
If you have tried other vets without success maybe give them a call.

cocker5 · 13-09-2019 2:04pm

terrydel wrote: »

We have an 11 month old collie/shepherd cross who is plagued with skin problems. We've tried everything from antibiotics, anti inflammatories, cytopoint, highly restrictive diet (Hill's z/d prescription only), shampoos, flea/tick medications, everything. So far he just cant shake it. Allergy testing is the next step once hes 12 months old and had a full yearly cycle of exposure to all potential allergens.
Its really affecting the quality of his coat and his general quality of life, especially when its bad. The cytopoint worked wonders the first time, but second time its been a bit of a let down. So far, the anti inflammatory seems to work best and quickest.
So looking for the best vet we can find to treat this issue and help him get better. Whatever it costs we dont care. Just want to see him happy and without this dreadful discomfort.
Any recommendations very much appreciated, especially from anyone who has experienced similar issues with their dogs.
Thanks.

I might also add hes been tested for mites, mange etc and all has come back negative.

OP have you considered his diet? 95% of the time allergies are linked to diet

Choc Chip · 13-09-2019 2:12pm

cocker5 wrote: »

OP have you considered his diet? 95% of the time allergies are linked to diet

I thought allergic reactions to food were less likely than reactions to environmental causes?

cocker5 · 13-09-2019 2:38pm

Choc Chip wrote: »

I thought allergic reactions to food were less likely than reactions to environmental causes?

I'm sure dogs can be allergy to all sorts of things but a lot of the time its linked back to diet:

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/5-signs-your-dog-has-food-allergies/

https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/11808633-unravelling-the-myth-of-allergies-in-dogs

Choc Chip · 13-09-2019 3:00pm

cocker5 wrote: »

I'm sure dogs can be allergy to all sorts of things but a lot of the time its linked back to diet:

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/5-signs-your-dog-has-food-allergies/

https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/11808633-unravelling-the-myth-of-allergies-in-dogs

Sure that's just internet links, here's one saying that food allergies are only 10 - 15% of all reactions: https://www.avodermnatural.com/blog/dog-food-allergy-symptoms

I'm not trying to be pedantic, and it's possible that it is food, I just don't think that it's 95% of all allergic reactions.

With any luck DBB will arrive along soon with a study and prove us both wrong. :pac:

DBB · 13-09-2019 4:25pm

Choc Chip wrote: »

With any luck DBB will arrive along soon with a study and prove us both wrong. :pac:

All I can tell you that food allergies are the underlying problem in about 25% of affected westies.
All white breeds, but also GSDs and Staffies of any colour, seem to be very prone to skin issues.
I'd also recommend ditching the dry food OP, simply because your dog *may* be reacting to storage mites in it. You'll also need to avoid chicken and beef, and all grains. Have a look at the wet food available on zooplus.ie, the really good quality, high meat ones like Rocco, Rinti, Lukullus, Naturediet... there are loads of them really, and try your dog on an exclusion diet, preferably based on a novel protein which he hasn't already been exposed to... maybe game, rabbit, venison, turkey, lamb, and definitely, definitely get oily fish into him.
As for vets, Eamon Moore in Blackrock Vet Clinic is a superstar. Great vet, sound fella.
No disrespect, but given that homeopathy has been completely discredited as having no more than a potential placebo effect (which animals generally aren't influenced by, though their owners are!), I have an inbuilt aversion to any medical doctor or veterinary surgeon who advertises themselves as providing homeopathic treatment. It just grates on my nerves:o

terrydel · 13-09-2019 7:35pm

mobby wrote: »

Hills Pet Food :eek: Could be the issue. While never have had to use this vet myself, have only heard good things about her. http://www.holisticvetdublin.com/
If you have tried other vets without success maybe give them a call.

He had the problem before he went onto hills. When he first went onto the prescription diet, he get so much better, but was also on antibiotics at the time. When the medication finished and he remained on the diet, he was well for a few weeks, but it's back now, and the second cytopoint injection hasn't had the effect of the first unfortunately. I'll check that vet out, thanks.

terrydel · 13-09-2019 7:38pm

cocker5 wrote: »

OP have you considered his diet? 95% of the time allergies are linked to diet

Yes, he went into hills z/d only, absolutely nothing else at all, and cleared up completely then, tho was also in antibiotics. He remained well for weeks after the antibiotics ended and he was still eating nothing but this dog food.

terrydel · 13-09-2019 7:41pm

DBB wrote: »

All I can tell you that food allergies are the underlying problem in about 25% of affected westies.
All white breeds, but also GSDs and Staffies of any colour, seem to be very prone to skin issues.
I'd also recommend ditching the dry food OP, simply because your dog *may* be reacting to storage mites in it. You'll also need to avoid chicken and beef, and all grains. Have a look at the wet food available on zooplus.ie, the really good quality, high meat ones like Rocco, Rinti, Lukullus, Naturediet... there are loads of them really, and try your dog on an exclusion diet, preferably based on a novel protein which he hasn't already been exposed to... maybe game, rabbit, venison, turkey, lamb, and definitely, definitely get oily fish into him.
As for vets, Eamon Moore in Blackrock Vet Clinic is a superstar. Great vet, sound fella.
No disrespect, but given that homeopathy has been completely discredited as having no more than a potential placebo effect (which animals generally aren't influenced by, though their owners are!), I have an inbuilt aversion to any medical doctor or veterinary surgeon who advertises themselves as providing homeopathic treatment. It just grates on my nerves:o

Thanks for the good advice. We've cut out chicken and beef, and the z/d hills is grain free. Will look at those foods. We've been really strict with his diet for a long time but the issues have returned. Will look up that vet also. Thanks again

cocker5 · 13-09-2019 8:10pm

terrydel wrote: »

Yes, he went into hills z/d only, absolutely nothing else at all, and cleared up completely then, tho was also in antibiotics. He remained well for weeks after the antibiotics ended and he was still eating nothing but this dog food.

Personally I’d move him off all kibble .. DBB has recommended so tinned foods ... if it were me I’d move to home cooked or RAW... and see what happens.

terrydel · 13-09-2019 8:48pm

cocker5 wrote: »

Personally I’d move him off all kibble .. DBB has recommended so tinned foods ... if it were me I’d move to home cooked or RAW... and see what happens.

We've always cooked for our dogs. We've this guy who's 11 months and a female collie /boxer/bulldog mix who 3 and a half.
We cook plain rice with chicken or turkey or beef and maybe one veg, or replace the rice with mash potato. They love it, and we think it's great for them. But we were advised to reduce him down to one food to see we could identify of the cause was food. We did that and he got better, but could have been the antibiotics. He stayed well when we reintroduced a bit of rice and then chicken. Then out of nowhere it returned, worse than before. I think we will deffo try going off the dried food if he isn't better by the time the current bag is gone. Happy to try the wet food with home cooked. It's just so difficult to narrow down possible causes

DellyBelly · 13-09-2019 8:50pm

A little further from where you are asking but https://www.pawpaws.ie/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cyj4sjO5AIVh63tCh2-RQRCEAAYASAAEgJuGfD_BwE&v=d2cb7bbc0d23 is very good

terrydel · 13-09-2019 8:51pm

Here's a picture of the patient

jellybear · 13-09-2019 8:51pm

As above, a bit further than you wanted but, I'd highly recommend Paul Kelly in Ratoath.

cocker5 · 13-09-2019 9:04pm

terrydel wrote: »

Here's a picture of the patient

Ohhhh he’s a beauty!!!

I’d remove all poultry from his diet..
stick to one protein source... only for a few months

DBB · 13-09-2019 9:22pm

He's gorgeous op

I wonder have you or your vet thought about other medication alternatives? Maybe Apoquel, or good old-fashioned cyclosporin (eg Atopica, Cyclavance)?
I'm sure you've also considered this as it does seem like you've been really thorough, but you haven't noticed any pattern with season, or weather patterns? Say, for example, after there have been hayfever warnings on the weather forecasts? How about him having access to freshly cut grass? Any very pollen-y plants in his environment? How about detergents or cleaning products? Anything like that in the environment that might be sparking it?

terrydel · 13-09-2019 9:35pm

DBB wrote: »

He's gorgeous op
I wonder have you or your vet thought about other medication alternatives? Maybe Apoquel, or good old-fashioned cyclosporin (eg Atopica, Cyclavance)?
I'm sure you've also considered this as it does seem like you've been really thorough, but you haven't noticed any pattern with season, or weather patterns? Say, for example, after there have been hayfever warnings on the weather forecasts? How about him having access to freshly cut grass? Any very pollen-y plants in his environment? How about detergents or cleaning products? Anything like that in the environment that might be sparking it?

Thanks.
He's had two cytopoint injections, seemed to have brilliant results almost immediately the first time, but not worked anywhere near as good the second time. I'll do some research on those medications and speak to the vet about them. We've no issues with the vets we've tried it's just he's not getting better and it's heartbreaking to see.
We live in a rural area and he gets to play and run around the lakes nearby regularly, so deffo could be environmental, but we've not noticed anything in terms of th be weather. We did think lying on cut grass might be a cause a while back but it's come back now without him being near that after we moved house a few weeks ago. We've changed detergent too with no luck. My belief is it's environmental, and he will have blood add allergy tests at 12 months

DBB · 13-09-2019 10:01pm

I feel so sorry for you and him, it's horrible not having any answers. Hopefully the allergy testing will come up with something. I've a cousin with a chronically itchy labrador who went through the mill just like you, the only thing that ended up working was... wait for it... kangaroo meat

It can help an itchy dog who's reacting to something environmental, to have them wear a light coat/babygro that covers as much of the body as possible. Also to give the exposed bits a wipe down with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar at least once daily, preferably when he gets in from a walk or anywhere he may have been exposed to things.
Just one final thought (until my next final thought)... I know you've had him checked for mites, but has he been checked during this latest outbreak? We're in the thick of harvest mite season right now, and they are relentless. I've had the pleasure of being bitten by them... omg the itching >_<. I'm just wondering if something like that could have sparked this episode, despite it having been ruled out before?

terrydel · 13-09-2019 10:51pm

DBB wrote: »

I feel so sorry for you and him, it's horrible not having any answers. Hopefully the allergy testing will come up with something. I've a cousin with a chronically itchy labrador who went through the mill just like you, the only thing that ended up working was... wait for it... kangaroo meat
It can help an itchy dog who's reacting to something environmental, to have them wear a light coat/babygro that covers as much of the body as possible. Also to give the exposed bits a wipe down with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar at least once daily, preferably when he gets in from a walk or anywhere he may have been exposed to things.
Just one final thought (until my next final thought)... I know you've had him checked for mites, but has he been checked during this latest outbreak? We're in the thick of harvest mite season right now, and they are relentless. I've had the pleasure of being bitten by them... omg the itching >_<. I'm just wondering if something like that could have sparked this episode, despite it having been ruled out before?

Cheers, appreciate the kind words.
Will try the apple cider vinegar, my dad uses it on a rash be has actually. We've plenty of dog coats but he doesn't like being too warm, and he loves to swim, and believe it or not we've a stream in our new garden since we moved a month ago and he's always in it. We lived next to blessington lake before that and he was in there most days. When he got the snip at six months he couldn't go in for a few weeks but the rash remained so we ruled out the beach and swimming.
He's not been checked for mites since a few months back when they took a skin graft. He's up to date on his mite, tick and flea medication since however. On a good note, it's looking better today, so maybe he's on the mend again. Let's see how he is tomorrow. ðŸ˜Š

aonb · 14-09-2019 7:41pm

terrydel wrote: »

We've always cooked for our dogs. We've this guy who's 11 months and a female collie /boxer/bulldog mix who 3 and a half.
We cook plain rice with chicken or turkey or beef and maybe one veg, or replace the rice with mash potato. They love it, and we think it's great for them. But we were advised to reduce him down to one food to see we could identify of the cause was food. We did that and he got better, but could have been the antibiotics. He stayed well when we reintroduced a bit of rice and then chicken. Then out of nowhere it returned, worse than before. I think we will deffo try going off the dried food if he isn't better by the time the current bag is gone. Happy to try the wet food with home cooked. It's just so difficult to narrow down possible causes

I really really feel for you. Skin issues are the absolute pits - so hard to identify the source of the problem, to isolate the problem cause. One of our dogs was demented with hot spots, we tried everything under the sun. Our neighbour has a fab GSD - absolutely adored dog - they have spent literally fortunes trying to get him some relief from his skin issues - nothing is working - heartbreaking. They found recently that he has an alergy to grass - a really difficult one.

As you said above you when you reintroduced chicken and rice your dog flared again - start there by removing both
Eamonn Moore as DBB says is definitely worth a consultation if you can get there.

terrydel · 15-09-2019 5:14pm

aonb wrote: »

I really really feel for you. Skin issues are the absolute pits - so hard to identify the source of the problem, to isolate the problem cause. One of our dogs was demented with hot spots, we tried everything under the sun. Our neighbour has a fab GSD - absolutely adored dog - they have spent literally fortunes trying to get him some relief from his skin issues - nothing is working - heartbreaking. They found recently that he has an alergy to grass - a really difficult one.

As you said above you when you reintroduced chicken and rice your dog flared again - start there by removing both
Eamonn Moore as DBB says is definitely worth a consultation if you can get there.

Cheers for the kind words. Sorry for confusion, the rash didnt return til a couple of weeks after the reintroduction of chicken and rice, so my understanding is that would indicate its not the cause, as with severe allegeries like this, it would come back very quickly if not instantly. Hes a lot better over last couple of days, hes back on the cooked food as we just decided to give him a break from the constant dried food to cheer him up if nothing else. The difference in his coat is noticeable, it feels and smells much better and the rash is still dissappearing.

DBB · 15-09-2019 5:50pm

That's very encouraging... keep us posted on how he goes now, won't you?

I'd be interested to know what the allergy testing reveals when you get it done

terrydel · 15-09-2019 7:34pm

DBB wrote: »

That's very encouraging... keep us posted on how he goes now, won't you?
I'd be interested to know what the allergy testing reveals when you get it done

Will do indeed.
We'll book him in for the allergy just after his first birthday in a few weeks so will deffo post an update.
Cheers.

terrydel · 04-10-2019 5:05pm

terrydel wrote: »

Will do indeed.
We'll book him in for the allergy just after his first birthday in a few weeks so will deffo post an update.
Cheers.

Just a quick update on our guy.
Hes a year old on Monday, so will be booking him in for allergy blood tests after that, but hes much improved, not sure exactly why, but altho he still has a few dry patches and scabs, they are way way down and hes scratching pretty much the same as any normal dog, and the hair loss has reduced dramatically, and the quality of his coat is much improved.
Hes eating a combination of the prescription only hills food and home cooked rice/chicken/turkey some veg and no snacks or treats.
So far so good!

cocker5 · 04-10-2019 6:31pm

terrydel wrote: »

Just a quick update on our guy.
Hes a year old on Monday, so will be booking him in for allergy blood tests after that, but hes much improved, not sure exactly why, but altho he still has a few dry patches and scabs, they are way way down and hes scratching pretty much the same as any normal dog, and the hair loss has reduced dramatically, and the quality of his coat is much improved.
Hes eating a combination of the prescription only hills food and home cooked rice/chicken/turkey some veg and no snacks or treats.
So far so good!

So glad to hear he’s improved! Fingers crossed you can get to the bottom of the root cause and he clears up completely!

Best of luck

terrydel · 04-10-2019 9:22pm

cocker5 wrote: »

So glad to hear he’s improved! Fingers crossed you can get to the bottom of the root cause and he clears up completely!

Best of luck

Thank you. Its great to see him no longer in discomfort. He's such a happy fella by nature but he was really struggling with it. He can get back swimming now which he loves.

Best vet in Dublin/Wicklow/Kildare region....

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