Bobishisname

Well I have put on some benadyne, so will see how it looks in the morning. I'm trying not to worry. But what worries me is how sudden it has come on. I'm 99% sure it wasn't there 2 weeks ago, and almost certain not last week. We live in QLD and it's been very humid here, so his coat has been kept short over the last couple of months and I'm sure I would have seen it or felt it he is brush at least twice a week and cuddle almost every hour :) I'm sure it's nothing, I'd just hate for him to get sick

I know, fingers crossed it's nothing. He just likes to make be worry ;) I wonder though, MCT being caused by too much histamine, if it is a MCT would it have something to do with atopic issues???

Oh Teebs I wish i saw your post before I googled Now I am a little worried. But hopefully it's nothing.

Thank you everyone. Will def take him to the vet after christmas festivities or sooner if it changes. He doesn't lick or chew at it, it doesn't hurt him if I press on it. It's just a lump on his butt He is still his usual self. I only noticed it last Wednesday while I was brushing him. I shaved him down Saturday afternoon as he was due for a cut and to keep a close eye on it. I should have also probably added the vet about a month ago diagnosed him with Atopic Dermititis. And he was on plan of 5mg of Pred over 5 days weeks then I weaned him of them over a period of 2 weeks, as his itchiness had subsided.I also have started Apple Cider Vinegar in his drinking water to help out. Do you think it could be related to this? I will dab it with the Benadine now and see if it changes it. Do I dare google what a MCT is?

Thanks. He is only 3. I was thinking it looked like a wart too. Will def take him to vet, but just wanting to wait until after boxing day, as it's not affecting him at all. If it is a wart do you just leave it? Or do they get removed?

A couple of days ago, while brushing my mini schnauzer cross poodle, I came accross this lump on his rump. It wasn't there 5 days before, when I groomed him last. Well not that I noticed anyway, and I'm sure I would have, but I'm not 100% certain. Does it look familiar to anyone? Given the time of year, I haven't rushed him to the vet. It causes him no discomfort even when I gently squeezed it to see if any liquid came out. It hasn't changed size either. I will however take him to our vet later this week. But if anyone has any idea to what it could be or looks like, that would be great. Thanks.

I'm after a new collar for my boy. He seems to have an odd neck size of 32cm, and a lot of collars I fave found, he is right in between the smaller and medium ones. So it's either only just fits on the last hole or on the first, grrr. Anyway, I'm thining maybe an adjustable one or a custom made collar would suit him best. I have seen that ruthless collars have a good reputation on here, unfortunately it's a little out of my budget. I'd be happy to spend up to about $50. Does anyone have any good recommendations on a good quality adjustable collar or a customer one that would be within this budget? Thanks. P.S I do have a colour preference of baby blue, but it's not a must ;)

Thanks Sas, I did a similiar table when I first looked into his diet, but I also included omega levels. I find it very interesting to have them all lined up and to compare them. The vet and I seem to think his diet is working well for him at the moment, and he enjoys it which is nice as he has never been very food motivated. I never looked into VAN, but when time permits I might look through it, as I have read it can work great with atopic dogs. But I never believe what I'm told straight up I also have to research it for myself, a little OCD I think We did VAN and it made my dog worse - but it's a very individual thing. Yes I honestly think my dog would be the same. Thank you for all your help.

Thanks Sas, I did a similiar table when I first looked into his diet, but I also included omega levels. I find it very interesting to have them all lined up and to compare them. The vet and I seem to think his diet is working well for him at the moment, and he enjoys it which is nice as he has never been very food motivated. I never looked into VAN, but when time permits I might look through it, as I have read it can work great with atopic dogs. But I never believe what I'm told straight up I also have to research it for myself, a little OCD I think

Wow this is amazing guys, thank you so much will all the time you have taken to respond to my questions. I agree with what everyone is saying, control is different from dog to dog and unfortunately on what's affordable for dog owners. I have continued with the 2.5mg for 4 days now with the antihistamine, and I have only seen him scratch a handful of times over this period, so major difference. After tomorrow, I drop it down again to every second day. This will be the test. And I'm hoping it works for him, as from what you have all said and what I have researched myself 2.5mg every second day is a really small dose and should he best chance of control without side effects. So fingers crossed. If he does go well after a week, I'll try dropping it down again, to every third day and so on. So fingers crossed we can get by without changing methods. If his itching does pick back up, I think I'll make the phone call to the University and ask about the trial. My boy is only 9.2kg so not big, but unfortunately I still can't afford the amount my vet quoted for Atopica use. But I've been really happy with the difference the pred has made for him. So hopefully we can adjust his dosage low enough to ensure best chances of less long term side effects. I'll will get some apple cider to add to his water too, as I have read about the before. I can't see any harm in trying it. He is currently being washed in Aloveen Natural Shampoo(the blue bottle one), and I use a rinse of QV oil at the end. I do this once a week, as it seems to help keep the itches at bay. He is currently fed, 1 x chicken wing about 1/4-1/3 cup Canaidae PureLand formula and about 50-100gm of VitaRoll which is just lamb, rice and oils per day. It seems to be working best for him at the moment. I have been doing some reading on VAN but it seems rather expensive, although I know you need less of it so it works out cheaper in the long run. However I have tried my dog on raw before (not VAN) and it has upset his stomach on and off and seemed to make his itches worse. I have also tried adding fish oil to his diet, but he won't touch it, tried sardines too but even the smallest drop of oil added to his kibble or roll, will turn him away, wierd. I haven't heard of the essential spot on 6 before so I might do some reasearch into that. Is it only available in Vet Clinics do you know? Again thank you all so very much for taking the time to help me and my boy out. It's greatly appreciated.

Thank you Boronia :)

Thank you everyone for your input, it's great to read up on some personal experiences. Does anyone know if the drug trial I have read about is still open? Well I reduced his prednisone by half yesterday down to 2.5mg and I did notice him scratching on the odd occassion. But by no means at his normal rate. I was thinking of changing his antihistamine. I know they work differently on every dog, but does anything recommend one that seems to work more often on dogs than others? Also, does anyone know how I can contact a member on here? I would love to talk more to stormie as from what I have read on old posts they seem to have some experience with cortisone.

hi ESCS, thanks for your reply. Yes the vet did talk about atopica, but we decided to try the above drug treatment plan first as it was cheaper and see how he goes once he is weaned. I was just looking on the net for a generic for atopica and apparently there is one, but from what I can see is only for sale in america and canada. You can buy it and have it delivered you just need a script. 90 x 25mg tablets were $96, which is about what I think the vet said for a month supple of atopica here, does that sound right? I wonder if he would write a script for me??? I guess I can only ask if his current plan fails.

o.k now I'm confused. My vet said to me cortisone but I just re-read the packed and it says pred. Which i'm assuming is prednisone. I have read they are practically the same but prednisone is a much stronger steriod. Of course, now I'm worried about long term effects Stormie if you read this, is your dog taking cortisone or prednisone? I have also just seen I can buy both forms on-line alot cheaper than I paid at the vet (which I thought was pretty affordable anyway)but I just need a script. Just wondering if anyone has tried this?

I just went through those threads again and it's the member called Stormie that agrees with what my vet is saying. Do you know if stormie is a regular on this forum? I would love to hear more from them.

Thank you heaps. A few emotions really. Frustration, but also relief that he finally has some relief from scratching but I'm also really apprehensive about what's to come. The vet was absolutely lovely, the best I have found (well have only been to 3) but will def be sticking with him. He reassured me that the dose he is on is low and not to worry about long term side effects, as he is confident that he shouldn't need them long term. Since last week I have started some research (which is how I came across this site) about it and I think he is right. I read some posts about it causing some unwanted side effects but a member (can't remember their name) spoke about long term side effects being from high doses etc, which is what my vet said. Thank you again. I'm really glad I have found this site, as I have already learnt so much.

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have a near 3 year old cross breed boy. Last week we found out he suffers from atopic dermititis. We has suspected it for awhile. Ever since his was a pup he would stratch. It would get worse coming into winter and summer. In the past I have tried a food elimination diet, it seemed to help a little but his itchiness would never stop. I took him to Anvet here in Brisbane, and he is certain it is atopic dermititis, going by past food elimination and when/ where he is scratching. I should have also mentioned he sneezes a lot and rubs his face on the furniture. Anyway he told me we could get some testing done that will tell us what he is allergic to and to desensitize but would cost $1000 and is only effective for 80% of dogs. Unfortunately we can't afford this at present. He is now currently on 5mg of cortisone and a daily antihistamine (currently telfast 60mg)and it's worked a treat. I haven't seen him go so long without scratching it's beautiful. Tomorrow is the first day we move to 2.5mg of cortisone, which will continue for 6 days then, then every second day. He told me to keep an eye on him, and adjust amounts as required, but hopefully the aim is to get him off the cortisone and continue only with the antihistamine as necessary. I have read high doses of cortisone is undesireable and can cause some nasty short and long term side effects. But the vet reassured me he is on a very low dose, and would unlikely cause any side effects. Which has been the case short term, it hasn't seemed to have changed him. Can anyone who has or is in the same boat give me some more information about which antihistamine they use, or how often they use the cortisone and what you know about cortisone. Is this amount my boy on more or less your dog is on. Sorry just relised I should have mentioned he weighs 9.2kg at present. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.