Small Bald Patches?

[Guest hankodie]

we noticed yesterday that Odie has a small bald patch on her front leg:

I've also noticed a tiny (smaller than an eraser head) one on her head too, probably the result of a scab falling off.

She's always been quite an itchy/allergy prone dog and lately (perhaps because of the humidity) she's been occasionally chewing on her paws.

Just wondering if the bald patches might be the result of that or something else? Can't get into the vet until Tuesday.

Also due to her liver disease we can't treat her allergies medically. If anyone has some natural remedy ideas please let me know.

[Steph M]

Its not ringworm is it? I know that can look similar.

It could be chewing too.

[Guest hankodie]

Gosh I hope not, I looked it up and it says that dogs with weak immune systems are most susceptible to it which would make sense. The other thing I read was a reaction to mites but she's treated for fleas/heartworm every month with revolution but that's the extent of what I give her in terms of prevention due to her liver/immune system being so vulnerable.

[Stressmagnet]

My Anstaff had these and it was a flea allergy. Hopefully, it's not that in your case.

[Guest hankodie]

That's the other one on her head which I think was the result of a scab so not sure if it's related.

[mackiemad]

Ringworm does tend to present on head and feet/lower limbs. You can use a blacklight to test but there are some variants that don't show up under blacklight.

I'd go to the vet and get a skin scrape cos its more likely to be some kind of fungus given she's immunocompromised and it's been very wet and warm.

Unless it's a flea allergy?

[Guest hankodie]

Thanks SM and mackiemad. Not sure about a flea allergy - can dogs still get flea allergies despite being treated monthly for fleas? (Sorry for the dumb question).

I've been keeping an eye on the folds on her face too but they seem to be pretty clear. It's really just her paws that are bugging her at the moment, poor thing.

[JulesP]

You could try the Calendula tea?

I have some human steroid stuff that the specialists recommended for Amber as the least offensive. Think you need a script for it though. It stings a fair bit too.

[denali]

definitely give calendula tea a go to soothe in the meantime.

[cavNrott]

I would be off to the vet for a skin scrape. I would want to know exactly what was causing the bald spots.

[jemappelle]

Could it be a hot spot?

[Guest hankodie]

Vet visit is a definite cavnrott. I just can't get in until Tuesday so I was after some DOL ideas in the meantime.

Thanks for the calunda tea suggestion - any ideas where I can source it? I seem to recall a thread about it a while ago

[JulesP]

Vet visit is a definite cavnrott. I just can't get in until Tuesday so I was after some DOL ideas in the meantime.

Thanks for the calunda tea suggestion - any ideas where I can source it? I seem to recall a thread about it a while ago

Health food shop.

[VizslaMomma]

Vet visit is a definite cavnrott. I just can't get in until Tuesday so I was after some DOL ideas in the meantime.

Thanks for the calunda tea suggestion - any ideas where I can source it? I seem to recall a thread about it a while ago

Organic Plus at Erina is where I get 'goodies' for a family friend.

Calendula tea is great to have in the First Aid kit.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/256245-calandula-tea-or/page__p__6448143__hl__calendula+tea__fromsearch__1#entry6448143

one of the threads regarding the values of Calendula Tea

I hope none of this is too serious & all is very well soon,

:)

[*kirty*]

Could be demodex too. Frenchies are quite prone to it, and it generally occurs in dogs with poor immune systems.

[Christina]

I wouldn't be overly worried about 2 small bald spots like that as long as no more appear.

Could have caught herself on something & licked paw too much & head spot may be unrelated.

If its ringworm you will soon see more & will get it yourself

No use guessing so vet consult needed to check for ringworm & diagnose but doubt its serious if it stays as is.

Grass allergy gets worse at this time of year & may contribute to more paw chewing.

A thing to consider as she is immune compromised is whether it is wise to use a chemical on her monthly as a routine matter ?

Unless you are in an environment where fleas & heart worm are a high risk it may be better to use a monthly heart worm & only treat for fleas if needed. Its quick & easy to flea check your dog after a walk or mixing with other dogs.

[Guest hankodie]

Thanks for the advice all, much appreciated :)

Christina - we use Revolution on her monthly which is a heartworm preventative but (I'm pretty sure) it also treats fleas. This is the only chemical we use on her. We don't vaccinate her anymore but I'm going to look into titre testing soon. As always with her we are always looking at the risks vs the benefits. It's just hard when nobody really has the "right" answer to anything when it comes to her condition unfortunately.

[Seren]

hankodie I will be watching this post as well.... I have a 20 month old Lab who is very itchy at the moment and licking hair off the base of her tail etc. and also a 19 week old Golden Retriever who is doing the same thing. They both have bald spots on them similar to the one you photographed on your girl.

My Harry (19 week old) I noticed on his registration papers that his dad is a 'carrier of itchiosis'.

Holly (20 month old) didn't have any itchy problems until going through the stress of losing her mate to a car accident 5 months ago. I don't know if it is related to stress, she is very happy with her new mate Harry.

The Vet says to give them Macrolone tablets but as soon as I stop them they itch again. Like you, we definately have no fleas, they are both treated and I check constantly for any sign of fleas.

I bath them in oatmeal shampoo and use the conditioner. I am looking for a natural remedy for the itching.

I hope you get answers from the Vet for your girl...

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

my natural remedy for my dog when she gets itchy is to keep her off the grass.

There's nothing she likes better than a good belly drag on the kikuyu unfortunately - her skin comes up in a big red itchy rash when she does that.

I put aloe vera direct from the cactus leaf on it which stops her from licking as well (very very bitter and slightly toxic).

She gets less rash if I make her sit on a towel on a tarp on the grass. For some reason she doesn't like a hammock bed on the grass which is irritating but it didn't cost me much. sigh.