Allergies/Rash?

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montecarlogirl87
Green Dog
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Re: Allergies/Rash?

Post by montecarlogirl87 »

welp... we're still fighting whatever this is

the Nu-stock was not a miracle cure like the reviews made it sound like it would be... now the bald spots on each size are even bigger than my hand, and she has smaller spots sprinkled over her butt and she's scratched both shoulders to where they bleed a little... AND now, for just the last couple days, she's started licking the underside of her paws red *sigh*

I got a bottle of Vet's Best Hot Spot spray yesterday, again, based off reviews... but now I'm reading online that tea tree oil is toxic to dogs... so now I don't think I even wanna use it!

we've resorted to Benedryl for now

dad made an appointment with the dermatologist for June 21st, their first available appointment apparently, and I spent a good hour yesterday filling in their pre-appointment info online, listing all the previous medication and topicals and shampoos and shots from the two other vets, it's almost $200 just to walk in the door! so I'm REALLY hoping they actually know what they're doing

:cry: :cry: :cry:
Tareena and Shylah and Shota - Orlando, FL
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montecarlogirl87
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Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 10:43 pm
Tell us about yourself: dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, llamas... I've worked with them all :)
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: Allergies/Rash?

Post by montecarlogirl87 »

managed to get Shota's appointment moved up a week (stinkin' vets both took their vacations at the same time, that's why the wait was so long)

unfortunately because of the wait, in just the past week, her ears started getting all crusty and smelly... so yay for more infections /sarcasm/

almost $500 later with a specialist dermatologist... just for them to tell me it's mange... again

the first vet did a skin scrape, I watched her do it, but for whatever reason there weren't any mites visible, which is why they thought it could be allergies... but unfortunately that means it's been a couple months of us trying anything we can think of to treat something that wasn't even the problem....

also unfortunately, because we essentially wasted time, the mites have multiplied and she's developed about 3 different infections, different ones in each ear, plus where she's scratched herself raw on her side... the lil shit waited until I was in the shower and not watching and scratched herself bloody just before her appointment!

but... I guess it's good at least, that we know what it is, and that it's something treatable, and we don't have to play hit and miss trying to figure out what she *might* be allergic too

the vet said a dog that gets mange as a puppy (she was only about a year the first time around) has a genetic defect (is how she worded it) that just makes them predisposed for it... but she gave me Bravecto which is a 3-month flea/tick med which apparently has also had really good results with mange mites... so a pill every 3 months as a preventative is do-able...

and *IF* it ever starts to come back, I also asked, and the oral ivermectin that she responded well to last time, is the same as the injectable cattle/horse ivermectin you can get a feed/farm stores... which I had assumed from my horse/llama days, but now I have confirmation, so if it rears it head again, I can go pick up some of that and do it myself at home

now... I'm off to give her a bath *sigh*
Tareena and Shylah and Shota - Orlando, FL
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Owned-By-Hendrix
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Re: Allergies/Rash?

Post by Owned-By-Hendrix »

Well at least you finally found out what was wrong! I'm sorry its mange again. That sucks!

Could be the vet meant a genetic defect in the immune system? Stephanie may know more about it - I've never really dealt with mange.

Hope Shota gets to feeling better soon!
Kay, H, and The SO
(Pepper's Look-A-Like)
(Tyson's Soul Twin)
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montecarlogirl87
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Tell us about yourself: dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, llamas... I've worked with them all :)
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Re: Allergies/Rash?

Post by montecarlogirl87 »

Shota is 99% better (she's still got a couple small patches on her sides where her hair hasn't grown back)

she had a follow up vet appt a month later and had only dead mites in her skin scrape and all her extra infections are cleared

the Bravecto seems to have worked well (obviously), but I've also read some concerning posts from people claiming it made their dogs horribly sick and many claiming it's responsible for their dogs dying, saying that the toxicity builds up in their livers

she responded well, but I'm hesitant to put her on a consistent dose with such worrying reviews...

I've switched them from Blue Buffalo over to Whole Earth Farms food... they still get coconut oil, Seameal supplement and salmon treats... anything else I can do to help keep her immune system healthy?
Tareena and Shylah and Shota - Orlando, FL
TimL_168
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Tell us about yourself: I am: a father of 2 boys, a carpenter, hunter, runner. We have extensive experience with sled dogs, shepherd mixes, a wolf hybrid, and our current dog a 95# long haired Shiloh Shepherd. We added Endeavor in April 2016. She was not working out in HRD. I train for game recovery and general utility.
Location: central MD

Re: Allergies/Rash?

Post by TimL_168 »

I've seen a few labs that have skin issues, and I believe their owners are wiping them down every time they return from outside. If you're worried your pup is more susceptible to skin infections, that may help. I know most temperate and northern breed dogs shouldn't be washed often, but I think I remember a client trekking me that their black lab was having issues with his skin oils. I can't remember exactly, just that it was the second black lab I've seen get a cleaning every day.
Tim L.
Aurora(Shiloh) Endeavor
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