Labrador With Bloody Ears

[foxyferret]

My black lab has developed red lumpy sores on various parts of his body, face and paws. The ones on his ears are the worst, all around the edges and on the ends great big blisters on both sides of the ears. He shakes his head which keeps them bleeding. First visit to vet, special shampoo and flea/tick/mites tablet. Second visit to vet antibiotics and steroids as problem not getting any better. He thought it could be a yeast infection. Third visit to vet, told to keep clean and dry but nothing more he could do. Total cost for 3 visits £289.00. Poor Rossi is no better than when we started. I got some dog antiseptic cream but this has not made a difference. He has also developed a large round sore under his neck, raised at the edges but holey in the middle. He is at the moment still happy, for a dog of 11 and a half, he jumps about and runs like a 2 year old when we take him out. I just don’t know what else to do to help him, the vet seems to have given up.

[johnny.5]

have you tried a different food ?

[Redhelen72]

have you tried removing chicken and grain from his diet?
Colin had similar issues although his ears were not as bad - we removed the above and after a week he was so much better

[foxyferret]

Yes, he is on a hypoallergenic dog food with salmon. He has always had this food from when he was young with no I’ll effects.

[choux]

I had problems with 2 of my dogs, over the years, that my excellent vet could not clear. He gave me the contact details for 2 specialists which I followed up and the problems were sorted with just one visit and a short course of meds. It was quite expensive but cheaper in the long run. Could you ask your vet for a recommendation?

[rowanwitch]

Might be worth trying a canine safe antihistamine, usually benadryl. If diet changes don't work. Also have you washed his bedding in anything different, or used a different spray product in the home. Another possibility is the council spraying nearby, just sounds like it may have been allergic in origin but is possibly an itch, scratch, histamine response cycle now .

[calmck]

We have a fantastic cream here heals all animal wounds OMNIMATRIX. Available from chemist here without prescription.

[chanel5]

Maybe try a different vet. If your current vet seems to have given up, as you say, the poor dog has no help.
I think I would ask around for recommendations re a different vet and see what they say.

[fitdarren]

If this was my dog and my vet seemed to have given up, I would without a doubt go and see another vet. For me, this would be a no brainer. Good luck.

[foxyferret]

Does the omnimatrix sting because these are open yucky blisters? I have looked online, there are so many creams, sprays etc, it’s difficult to know which is best. I may return to my old vet, I think I am still registered.

[Sqad]

I would take him back to the same Vet and diplomatically suggest a biopsy of the new neck lesion.

[Meaghan27]

I presume your vet has ruled out ringworm, lupus and checked for parasites. I would not be happy with a vets practice that told the client there was nothing more they could do, unless they had done extensive tests without conclusion. A biopsy should be taken on the lesions. I would get a second opinion from a different veterinarian. What I can advise, as a veterinarian nurse, is to avoid creams of any sort and keep the areas clean and dry until you can get further tests.

[calmck]

I don't think the omnimatrix stings too much. We have put it on open wounds on cats dogs and horses

[foxyferret]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. I think I will go back to the old vet who has known Rossi from a pup. Just trying to keep him clean at the moment (Rossi, not the vet)using water and a weekly bath in his vets Coatex shampoo.

[pastafreak]

I found your description of the latest lesion worrying.
K had a cat that developed something that sounded the same...raised edges, hollow middle. At first there was s 'wound' that wasn't getting better...on the back of her neck and I thought it was inflicted by my other cat repeatedly grabbing her. Over the counter healing creams for cats were not helping...she appeared to improve but got worse. I then discovered she had more lesions under her fur and her appetite suddenly decreased. The vet hadn't a clue, it was determined that building her strength was more important than putting her under the stress of a biopsy.
She didn't make it...and the vet was never able to say for sure what it was.
Please get another opinion.

[Xeronema]

Are you able to provide a picture of Rossi's infected/blistered areas? The reason I ask is that I should still be able to speak with a couple of vets that used to assist us with our rescues. I know that a photograph will never be as good as a biopsy or a face to pooch diagnosis, however it may help.

Not to mention that it won't cost anything. Just a thought, if you feel comfortable doing that, no pressure either way :)

Either way, I hope that Rossi feels better soon.

[foxyferret]

Not sure how to upload photos and it’s very difficult trying to get him to keep still in the right position and hold phone at the same time even if I did. Sorry