skin problems

[lolly023]

my dog is a cross bull terrier and has suddenly started with bald patches and itching, and little lumps appearing under his skin. Been to the vets and many pennies later, no solution! just wondered if anyone has similar problem or any ideas, explanation for it? He is 7. had skin tests, steriod injections, antibiotics. None worked, not any kind of flea or mite. Next step is more intrusive surgery which i would rather not put my old boy through for mere guess work.

[happy_face]

have the vets done a blood test and sent off to check for allergies?
My staffie had those spots and vets did a process of elimination with different medication and eventually as nothing worked they suggested trying allergy testing. Came up with being allergic to 3 indoor things so we're now going through a course of anti allergy injections with a vial made up especially for my pup. Certainly not cheap as she will need this for life but she my girl and she deserves the best care

[kita1]

I have read in the dog papers I get that putting a couple of tablespoons of liquidised spinach into a dogs food can help with really bad itching etc.

Never tried it myself, but have read lots of reports of it working miracles where vets have failed.

It cannot do any harm and is relatively cheap so might be worth a try!

[Noweia]

Dogs with itchy skin/lumps in skin are notoriously diffiuclt to diagnose.

See if your vet will take a biopsy of one of the lumps and send it off for diagnosis.

[lolly023]

thanks for the suggestions. The only other thing i can think it might be is that we did get a new carpet and maybe that has some chemical in it, but far fetched though don't you think!? The next step is skin biopsies and further allergy testing, but he's getting old now and if they can't come up with an answer i've put him through all that for nothing! I mean these vets haven't given me much confidence so far, there guesses seem to be more far fetched than mine! I do anything for my dog, he's part of the family but i can't stand the thought of causing him pain and discomfort because we don't want him to keep rubbing on the furniture and carpet! It really doesn't appear to bother him at all, it just looks awful to everyone else. What would you do?

[kita1]

I am sure I have read something about chemicals in carpets before!

Is he used to going into boarding kennels? Try keeping him away from the carpet for a week or two, I know it is difficult but it could well be that.

Try the spinach too - I have read really good reports about it.

A vet once told me that they make most of their money with skin problems!! I eventually cured my dog with homeopathic remedies!

[obione]

Hi lolly023 so sorry to hear of your distressed little doggie, it makes you feel very helpless when you cant just make it better for them.

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Rid-Skin- Allergies-for-Dogs&id=309523

it does mention new carpet here as being a possibilty, also my friends staffie had very similar thing and that turned out to be the carpet freshener powder she was using.

maybe a rug where your dog likes to lie down would help. good luck.

[sportsmom]

I have a 7yr old Rottweiler that gets skin allergies EVERY year between Summer & Fall. The vet prescribed stereoids and antibotic skin ointment for it. Although it does work (I guess) it takes forever!!! It does stop him from the biting and scratching but it takes awhile for the hair to grow back. Have you tried the spinach yet?

[lolly023]

He's never had this problem before which is why i don't think it's a hayfever type problem. The vets have got back in touch with me and suggested i buy the frontline flea treatment from them as the ones you buy in the shops are not very good or strong. Im not sure if there just trying to make money! They also mentioned something called a (not sure on the spelling of it) Dermadex mite!? never heard of it myself but apparently they have to do a special skin scrape for that one. I'll give the liquidised spinach a go if i can find some, but if he starts with bad wind Kita1 your in trouble!! he,hee! Thanks everyone, keep you posted x

[Noweia]

They are right about products you buy from the shops - they just don't work, simple as that.

Dogs can have two types of mites: the Demodex mite, which causes demodectic mange, and the mite Sarcoptes scabei, which causes scabies (or sarcoptic mange). Demodex mites live in the hair follicles, whereas Sarcoptes mites burrow under the skin.

Skin scrapings are commonly taken to diagnose mange. Skin scrapings for Sarcoptes mites usually have to be deeper, because the mites themselves are deeper in the skin and harder to reach.

There is a good website which talks about Demodectic mange here:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_demodecti c_mange.html

Let us know how things turn out!

[robotics]

Have you tryed giving your dog BENICOL antismephines, they work wonders on dogs skin problems


www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk

[lolly023]

he's tried all available antihestimines, (sorry about the spelling!) had the skin scrapes, not mites! AND i can not find this liquidised spinach anywhere, people are looking at me daft!!!! Have drawn a blank,and given up with my vet. They now want to knock him out and take biopsies! i think he's too old to risk it.

[Gucci Boxers]

Dont go for intrusive methods,just put him on an anti histamine called PIRITON(Generic name is CHLORPHENAMINE)you can get these from any chemist,but Moss chemists sell them as Allergy Relief 30 tblts for about �2-25,just see if they help.just 1 tblt in morning and 1 at bedtime?Will make a bit dopey though,if too sleepy just give half a tblt twice a day.If it works youll know its environmental allergy, and anyway hell feel better just not to be itching all the time!!!!!!hope it works!!.

[Gucci Boxers]

What food is he on?could be allergic to some ingredient?have you tried James Wellbeloved?.They make hyperallergenic foods specifically for dogs that could have allergies?Pets at Home shops sell this,Think youll find its the Lamband Rice,or Turkey and Rice that are specifically for Skin allergies and irritation, just read front label,as some are more for sensitive stomachs etc? .Might be worth a try,certainly wouldnt go down surgical investigation route unless absol desperate!!!!!