Mange

[DianeMcA]

I know with the boots, I got him some toddler boots/slipper with those sticky bottoms and I velcrowed around the top , and he tries to bite them off and yes his feet do get hot

[persephone]

DOG BOOTS

[puglvr]

I havae a girl who ha a very bad skin problem on her back legs.

She had big hairless patches that looked like mange. Nothing on repeated skin scrapings.

Treated with Advocate just in case. No improvement.

Treated with AB's some improvement but reoccurred. Legs devoid of hair and resembling elephant skin.

Dermatologist appointment.

Very bad ear infections despite no symptoms.

Bacterial and fungal infections on legs. Treated with medicated shampoo, ant Biotics and ant fungal.

Reoccurrence.

Treated again, partially cleared up.

Suspected multi drug resistant bacterial infection. More test, and cultures of the bacteria to find out what it was resistant to.

Specific anti Biotics prescribed, twice weekly baths in Phyohex and bleach rinses for a month for her and another elderly dog. And weekly bleach baths for the other dogs.

Problem fixed.

She went 5 months and has just had another minor reoccurrence which we treated again as above. Stopped in tracks.

We suspect that when she walks in wet grass and then sits on her legs it creates an environment that encourages bacterial growth.

Although the dermatologist visits were expensive we probably would not have gotten to where we are now.

[puglvr]

Just to clarify, so people don't go racing out pouring bleach over their dogs.

The beach bath/ rise was 1 part in 20/21 so I used 500mls bleach to 10/11 litres of water.

Not on her head though. It stayed on for 2-3 minutes and was thoroughly rinsed off.

[DianeMcA]

Ralph has a sore on his toe this morning ,it looks like a busted blister, but there was no blister on it last night , I haven't been putting anything on his feet just trying to encourage his immune system to work ,why would sores be coming out on him now? They are shiny moist looking things,he was whinging last a bit , but he is happy and in good spirits and hungry , is it a start of staph infection? his feet didn't look as red but he is licking them again I am at work so I can't be checking up on him

[tdierikx]

The blisters may be a part of the allergy rash... don't be jumping to conclusions as to the worst possible scenario.

Seriously, I think you really need to talk to your vet about ALL of your concerns... that may give him/her a better idea of what direction he/she needs to steer you in.

... and stop Googling for what may be ailing your dog... you aren't doing him or yourself any favours there.

T.

[*kirty*]

Go and see a skin specialist. The new lesion sounds like a lick granuloma. Your dog is uncomfortable. Guessing at treatments will not solve anything and will end up costing you more in the long term.

[persephone]

You really do need a diiferent vet , or specialist , instead of guesses...

[karly101]

It doesn't sound like mites.. sounds like a allergy. Demodex mites are rarely itchy. Also the improvement on cortisone probably wouldn't happen if mites were the cause. But I would keep using advocate monthly. Please see a specalist - think of all the expense you've spent up to now without a diagnosis. In the meantime whenever your dog goes outside put on water proof boots and gently wash the feet when comes inside. If you can you could do a trial of keeping dog on concrete only for walks and toiletting (I couldn't do this, just wasn't possible at my house). During the day you cannot leave an allergic dog outside all day - my dog only goes outside for walks or to toilet, if he's outside for longer than that his skin will flare up. My dog isn't only allergic by contact but also by inhaling the pollen.

Diet could also be a cause and that can be ruled out by doing an elimination diet (whilst monitoring the skin) and then challenging it.

I used these boots, they are very cheap and reusable but remember they can only stay on for short periods of time as the paws will sweat and create a moist environment perfect for bacteria to develop - http://www.petzympatico.com.au/clothes/boots-socks/pawz-dog-boots-waterproof-reusable-disposable-rubber-boots/

My boy is now on daily atopica and doing very well. He now only sees the vet for check ups compared to the initial skin thing where I was there all the time!

Edited April 4, 2014 by karly101

[Steve]

If this were my dog I would put him in and enclosed penned area where he can have no access to wandering dew .I would wash him in an apple cidar vinegar solution and rinse him in calendula tea - leave it on him to dry. Inside the pen give him clean bedding and clean food and water bowls. Give him a week or two and see if there is any improvement. Needless to say unless you see a pretty rapid improvement stop googling and take him to a vet.

[~Anne~]

He could also be allergic to more than one thing. I've seen a dog allergic to carpet before too.

It all sounds painful for him. Are his feet and or legs hot to touch? If there are no infections you could try using and oatmeal wash to soothe them. Pour some raw oats into a stocking and soak it in warm water. Use the warm water to soak his feet in.

He really needs a vet though. None of us are qualified to give you advice and nor can we even see his legs. It's imperative you speak to your vet. Call them and ask their advice. Most vets will offer you further advice over the phone on an issue they have already been consulted about.

[Wundahoo]

I think that your dog needs to see a Dermatologist.

Trying to sort the problem yourself or without specialist help has a big chance of making things worse.

To seek specialist help now, while it's in the early stages will mean that you wil spend less money and getan answer faster, and therefore it will be easier to help your dog.

It's false economy to keep on trying all sorts of things without proof that you are on the right track...... this is also what can often make the problem worse than before.

Many skin allergy trials need at least 6 weeks to be properly assessed by a professional so swappig and changing plans all the time is not helpful. You need a science-based plan worked out for your dog and you need to follow it rigidly.

[trinabean]

I think that your dog needs to see a Dermatologist.

Trying to sort the problem yourself or without specialist help has a big chance of making things worse.

To seek specialist help now, while it's in the early stages will mean that you wil spend less money and getan answer faster, and therefore it will be easier to help your dog.

It's false economy to keep on trying all sorts of things without proof that you are on the right track...... this is also what can often make the problem worse than before.

Many skin allergy trials need at least 6 weeks to be properly assessed by a professional so swappig and changing plans all the time is not helpful. You need a science-based plan worked out for your dog and you need to follow it rigidly.

Excellent advice Wundahoo. I say this as someone with an allergy dog, who is under the care of a dermatologist, it is well worth knowing exactly what is triggering your dog's issues. Eliminating Wandering Dew aside, none of the other things you are doing would have helped my dog. Because I know from allergy testing and elimination diets what he is allergic to, I can target my treatment approach accordingly. I too, think you might save yourself money and effort in the long run, by seeking a specialist opinion. You will need your GP vet to refer you to a dermatologist.

[DianeMcA]

If this were my dog I would put him in and enclosed penned area where he can have no access to wandering dew .I would wash him in an apple cidar vinegar solution and rinse him in calendula tea - leave it on him to dry. Inside the pen give him clean bedding and clean food and water bowls. Give him a week or two and see if there is any improvement. Needless to say unless you see a pretty rapid improvement stop googling and take him to a vet.

[DianeMcA]

If this were my dog I would put him in and enclosed penned area where he can have no access to wandering dew .I would wash him in an apple cidar vinegar solution and rinse him in calendula tea - leave it on him to dry. Inside the pen give him clean bedding and clean food and water bowls. Give him a week or two and see if there is any improvement. Needless to say unless you see a pretty rapid improvement stop googling and take him to a vet.

[DianeMcA]

I appreciate all the advice , we had rain for 4 days and he hardly went outside and his feet looked the best they ever have, I thought you beauty !! They started to look better when I started the ivermectin (vets advice) he has had it 5 times , so I didn't know if it was not going outside or the ivermectin that helped , anyway you will get mad at me , but I thought he wasn't gaining wright with his kangaroo raw vege diet so I spoke to the vet and put him on Sciience diet for large puppies plus kangaroo meat, I spoke with the nutritionslist at SDiet and it made sense , I have been gradually adding it, day 3 today, so yesterday evening we went for a big walk around the old race course feet look good ,got home and washed them with neem oil soap, he was licking them a bit , well during the night licking and going on and today very red and some little pin prick size of blood he has a red spotty rash on his belly as well , so what now? What was the ratio of the ACV wash ? and do I just pour that on him and then rinse followed by calandular tea? he is still having omega 3,6,9 and VC and acidophilus , I don't think boots would help as he is in and out all day and I work .

[cavNrott]

I think that your dog needs to see a Dermatologist.

Trying to sort the problem yourself or without specialist help has a big chance of making things worse.

To seek specialist help now, while it's in the early stages will mean that you wil spend less money and getan answer faster, and therefore it will be easier to help your dog.

It's false economy to keep on trying all sorts of things without proof that you are on the right track...... this is also what can often make the problem worse than before.

Many skin allergy trials need at least 6 weeks to be properly assessed by a professional so swappig and changing plans all the time is not helpful. You need a science-based plan worked out for your dog and you need to follow it rigidly.

In the interest of the wellbeing of your dog Diane, please take the excellent advice offered to you by Wandahoo.

[Staffyluv]

I appreciate all the advice , we had rain for 4 days and he hardly went outside and his feet looked the best they ever have, I thought you beauty !! They started to look better when I started the ivermectin (vets advice) he has had it 5 times , so I didn't know if it was not going outside or the ivermectin that helped , anyway you will get mad at me , but I thought he wasn't gaining wright with his kangaroo raw vege diet so I spoke to the vet and put him on Sciience diet for large puppies plus kangaroo meat, I spoke with the nutritionslist at SDiet and it made sense , I have been gradually adding it, day 3 today, so yesterday evening we went for a big walk around the old race course feet look good ,got home and washed them with neem oil soap, he was licking them a bit , well during the night licking and going on and today very red and some little pin prick size of blood he has a red spotty rash on his belly as well , so what now? What was the ratio of the ACV wash ? and do I just pour that on him and then rinse followed by calandular tea? he is still having omega 3,6,9 and VC and acidophilus , I don't think boots would help as he is in and out all day and I work .

I have only just come in here, I don't know you or your dog but this thread worries me - the animal needs specialist care.

His skin is already inflamed and bothering him (he is licking it to sooth it) - by continuing to experiment and try new things over and over, without giving any one thing a chance to work, I fear you are only adding to the problems he has.

The ivermectin will take longer than 5 doses to get any result at all.. My last foster bitch was on it for 6 months for demodex and it was at least 3 -4 months before we saw improvements.

Lots of things like diet etc will make sense to you but they may not work. A lot of the science diet blends are great but if he has grain allergies as well, then it could be making things worse (a lot of SD blends have grains).

Try some raw meaty bones and a grain free kibble if you must use one (there are plenty of good brands out there). Feed him fish, oily fish like sardines in olive oil over his kibble for his omega 3s.

I wouldn't use the neem oil soap again - it obviously didn't help matters as after use he was licking his feet again. In fact if he was my dog, I would stop washing him for a couple of days (and keep him off the grasses), let him dry out.

There sounds like there is more than one thing at work against you with his skin - possible contact allergy, possible food allergy, possible infection and now possible lick granuloma..

Please seek specialist care (as previously suggested) - best of luck.

[Steve]

Personally I cant imagine why anyone /vet would determine its mites - mange - if no mites have been seen. Its not like they are difficult to spot and dosing with ivermectin shouldn't be done just in case. If its a case of him recovering a bit when he stays inside and then it flaring up again when he goes back out - hello -

mange doesn't just get itchy after a dog goes outside - in fact the ONLY thing I can think of that could get worse on his feet and legs - underbelly when he goes back out is if it is a contact allergy and I promise you if when he goes out he is walking on wandering dew its hard not to break out . This is a reaction to the plant not necessarily an allergy because most mammals coming in contact with the stuff breaks out in skin rashes.

Giving him daily doses of ivermectin when he doesnt need it will compromise his immune system even more and when skin is broken its at high risk of nasty infections .

Get a real diagnosis from your vet then you can come back and learn what you may be able to do naturally to help him but until you get a PROPER diagnosis anything you do is potentially dangerous for him. Vets dont prescribe ivermectin as a first step for skin conditions unless they are sure its needed - usually they look at cortisone,anti histamines and a bunch of other options so going daily ivermectin with no evidence of mange or mites is rather left field.

[Steve]

I appreciate all the advice , we had rain for 4 days and he hardly went outside and his feet looked the best they ever have, I thought you beauty !! They started to look better when I started the ivermectin (vets advice) he has had it 5 times , so I didn't know if it was not going outside or the ivermectin that helped , anyway you will get mad at me , but I thought he wasn't gaining wright with his kangaroo raw vege diet so I spoke to the vet and put him on Sciience diet for large puppies plus kangaroo meat, I spoke with the nutritionslist at SDiet and it made sense , I have been gradually adding it, day 3 today, so yesterday evening we went for a big walk around the old race course feet look good ,got home and washed them with neem oil soap, he was licking them a bit , well during the night licking and going on and today very red and some little pin prick size of blood he has a red spotty rash on his belly as well , so what now? What was the ratio of the ACV wash ? and do I just pour that on him and then rinse followed by calandular tea? he is still having omega 3,6,9 and VC and acidophilus , I don't think boots would help as he is in and out all day and I work .

Again - get a diagnosis

Dilute 1 cup of ACV with 2 cups of water and let your dog soak his paws in the mixture and apply to any other areas where you can see its inflamed. Then use a Calendula rinse -this will help prevent any infections and stop the itching - build him a penned area and keep him in that area for a couple of weeks where he has no access to any plants. If he improves you know its a contact allergy then you can consider natural treatments to prevent it and or conventional meds but no one here,anywhere on google or on the phone can give you a diagnosis - only your vet can do this.