dotdashdot Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I would just like to get some feedback from on here about a rash Cleo's had for a few weeks now. I'll include as much info as I can without blabbering.... I;ve been searching past DOL topics on rashes, and bought some Calendula cream AND found some what we suspect was a wandering jew plant (and promptly removed it) from what I found on here, but I would like some personalised advice :) . Since removing the plant and applying the calendula a few times, the rash has improved, but by no means gone. I got some Aloveen shampoo and conditioner as well to wash her in, but didn't make a difference. The rash is belly and legs/armpits but has spread to her flank on one side, just making it look dirty (she's a dal, so pink skin). The strangest thing of all is the no itching. It LOOKS itchy, but I have not seen her itch in the area of the rash ONCE, no hair loss, nothing. I can't post photos at the moment unfortunately, but it looks like little red dots, but no open sores. Thought it could be a food allergy having just finished her Holistic/Black Hawk mix into a Holistic/Pro Plan Puppy blend (don't ask - I bought a lot of kibble). So she's gone from no wheat, to a small amount of wheat. But from what I gathered, this rash isn't a typical "food allergy" rash but more like a contact allergy. Now thinking I will take her to the vet and get a recommended dose for an antihistimine, I've been hesitant to go after a lot of what I've read on here about bad vet experiences but I really want ot sort this out...any steps you would take BEFORE going to a vet? Remembering she's not in any pain or discomfort (but we DO have a show coming up) Hope I made sense, Any help is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 A big one for bathing in Calendula tea, here, but you are already putting on the Calendula ointment. Have you changed washing powders lately? If it's a contact rash it could be coming from her bedding?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Anything that's long term AND spreading needs to be checked out by a vet - no matter what good stuff you are using at home .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdashdot Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks Sheena, I think it may have been one of your past posts that encouraged me to try the Calendula. The lady at the health food store gave me a funny look when I said what it was for! I haven't changed anything other than her food in the last few weeks so vet appt. in the morning to see what he says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks Sheena, I think it may have been one of your past posts that encouraged me to try the Calendula. The lady at the health food store gave me a funny look when I said what it was for! I haven't changed anything other than her food in the last few weeks so vet appt. in the morning to see what he says. It's also been very hot & humid where you live with lots of rain over the last couple of weeks...certainly wouldn't help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minyvlz Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 My westie has some mysterious spots too, and I've been using Greenpet's Heal-all cream and washed once with Malaseb. Seems to be healing. Not sure what it is but I'd rather not go to the vet and get ABs and steroid creams if I can help it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdashdot Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 My westie has some mysterious spots too, and I've been using Greenpet's Heal-all cream and washed once with Malaseb. Seems to be healing. Not sure what it is but I'd rather not go to the vet and get ABs and steroid creams if I can help it. Yes, see Cleo's rash is looking better than it was, but it is still there and it has spread a little. I am very dubious of vets trying to make me buy something I may not need, and I would rather understand what is causing the problem than just slap some ab's in her and some cream. No point in "curing" temporarily (if indeed it is something other than a contact allergy) it when I can prevent it. It's like when people come into my work wanting to buy a "stop itch" treatment for their dog that doesn't have fleas. EVery time I have asked the question, the dog has been on a food with wheat or heavy in red meat. Cure is stop itch rinse, prevention is switching food. Vets usually want to inject cortisone etc. Stupid me thought Pro Plan Puppy wouldn't have wheat that is the LAST time I don't read ingredients. I just hope I didnt cause this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) Maybe donate the Pro Plan Puppy to dog Rescue & go back to what you were feeding her before the rash. ETA...you might be interested in the last comment I have added to the BH thread ;) Edited January 22, 2012 by sheena Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minyvlz Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 My westie has some mysterious spots too, and I've been using Greenpet's Heal-all cream and washed once with Malaseb. Seems to be healing. Not sure what it is but I'd rather not go to the vet and get ABs and steroid creams if I can help it. Yes, see Cleo's rash is looking better than it was, but it is still there and it has spread a little. I am very dubious of vets trying to make me buy something I may not need, and I would rather understand what is causing the problem than just slap some ab's in her and some cream. No point in "curing" temporarily (if indeed it is something other than a contact allergy) it when I can prevent it. It's like when people come into my work wanting to buy a "stop itch" treatment for their dog that doesn't have fleas. EVery time I have asked the question, the dog has been on a food with wheat or heavy in red meat. Cure is stop itch rinse, prevention is switching food. Vets usually want to inject cortisone etc. Stupid me thought Pro Plan Puppy wouldn't have wheat that is the LAST time I don't read ingredients. I just hope I didnt cause this. Hmm my dog's spots spread and worsened a lot before I started him on the cream. I also shaved his body to see the extent of it. It doesn't look like hot spots or mange or anything. He also wasn't scratching. I think some family members have been feeding him table scraps. What's the problem with a diet heavy in red meat? My two have had a red meat-based diet for almost a year now. A stop itch shampoo would have been Aloveen, no? Yes same here, I would rather not have him on any ABs or unwanted chemicals. Might take him just to find out the cause though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdashdot Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Sounds similar to Cleo's in that it isn't making him itch. I've found (personal experience and info I've gathered from speaking to customers, in NO way is this veterinary advice) that too much red meat can cause hot spots. This is usually when people are feeding say steaks every day which wouldn't be the best diet anyway! A stop itch shampoo coule be Aloveen but I was thinking more of "Stop-Itch" which is an iodine (betadine) based rinse that helps infection. Aloveen is soothing with the oatmeal. Thanks Sheena, do they accept it if its open/mixed with another brand? I no longer have the bags. So after my vet visit, I ended up going the antibiotics and cortisone but here's why: 1. He wants to do a skin scraping but that means shaving, and he was very understanding that as a show dog, with a show in 3 weeks, I don't want to do that right now if something else will clear it up. 2. If it gets any worse in the next week, I will be going back for the scraping, I'll just lose my money on the show =[ 3. He was a very kind, understanding vet and professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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