Low Hang Tails in German Shepherd Dogs and Bitches - Page 1

I would like to find out if anyone else has been having problem with bitches who have low hang tails and DEEP STAPH PYODERMA (Furunculosis/Folliculitis/Cellulitis) and what type of treatment has been prescribed for them. And is there anyway of breeding this disease out?

Hello catja, I do not really know what you mean, however I do know that GSD's often have skin problems. I had a dog with spots without hair, he was biting himselg all the time, without haveing fleas, or anything like that. I tried "Velcote" and soon his hair was growing back and finally he had and still has a great coat. As a matter of fact, when my dogs change fur, seeing as I give "Velcote" continuously, they loose less hair and the new hair comes quicker. What the long tails (this is what you mean to say???) are concerned, if you have a puppy you can cut off the hair at the end of the tail periodically, so the pup will not curl it or turn it to one side. Normally this helps. If you mean something else, please say so ;-). Kind regards.

Hi Marion, I have never heard of Velcote. Where may this product be ordered or purchased? Catja, Many German Shepherds (especially puppies with immature immune systems) suffer from staph pyoderma (often mis-diagnosed by veterinarians as allergies to food, fleas, and other environmental factors). Sometimes, these Staph lesions first appear in pups following immunization with polyvalent vaccines. Treatment (especially if accompanied by a raw diet and dietary supplements such as Nupro, human OTC supplements for skin/hair, etc.) may vary according the degree of severity of the disease. Often, topical treatments may be successful. For example, applications of the Eqyss products, Micro-Tek shampoo and spray, are very helpful. Happy Jack Pad Kote also tends to hasten healing of troublesome lesions and reduces scratching and chewing. The drawback of Pad Kote is its purple stain and a tendency make the dog smell like "barbecued dog"--but it WORKS--especially when combined with the Eqyss products! Eqyss products are available at many feed stores but may be purchased more economically at WWW.valleyvet.com. Try www.jefferspet.com for the Happy Jack Pad Kote. If all else fails, topical treatments must be combined with antibiotic treatment (usually cephalexin). Sorry, while I am aware of correct dosages, I'm not a veterinarian--but I do know what I have recommended (to friends/breeders) and found to be efficacious. Antibiotics are only suggested if topical treatment fails and if the skin lesions are accurately diagnosed as Staph Pyoderma. Hope this helps. Louise

I am treating a bitch 2 yrs old with cronic yeast ear infections. I mean bad ones, she would cry while scratching till blood inside the ear, very hot, she has taken every antibiotic a vet stocks. fine while on them, then back withing 2 weeks of infection all over, i clean her ears 2 or 3 times a day to no avail. Finally, talking on a web site of experts, I was told to get her onto an all natural food such as California Natural, Flint River, etc. IT is the fillers she is allergeric to an I am daily using this: Witch hazel or Alchol 16 oz bottle, add 4 tbsp boric acid, 16 drops of vetian violet. First treatment was Tuesday and now Friday she is much better, not scratching, her ears are up which were always lopped over in pain. I also read that a dog has itchy paws and licked them till very sore and bare spots, the owner mixed half water to the violet stuff and it quit and healed on this mix alone. Maybe this will help your problem. I learned alot on this site of experts with dog problems in general. pat

Louise - good info - what does this staph -look like. My puppy has a rash on her belly and occasionally "itchy pads" but only on her hind feet !! that comes and goes - the rash is not clearing up right now - (It's been hot too) and she got it after her shots - We were thinking allergy (she has some inflammation in her ears too, of course, or reaction to shots.

Check out http://www.skinvet.com....."If an underlying cause of the pyoderma can be found, it is addressed in order to prevent recurrences of the infection. This may involve the use of anti-inflammatory medications, flea control, thyroid supplements, or immunostimulants - any treatment that we feel may keep the pyoderma from returning. The infection can be treated using oral antibiotics, topical therapy (medicated shampoos, conditioners, and lotions), or both. Although pyoderma usually responds well to antibiotics, it is very important to continue the therapy for at least a week after the infection is cleared up, to prevent a rapid relapse. We will often schedule a recheck appointment for a period when the pet is still on antibiotics, in order to assess the response as well as to address any underlying conditions that may be present. If the pyoderma tends to recur, we prefer to use long-term topical therapy rather than repeated courses of oral antibiotics. A number of excellent antibacterial shampoos can be used for this purpose. If we have prescribed such a product for you to use on your pet, please remember that the shampoo should be left on for at least 10 minutes in order to penetrate and kill the bacteria. Leaving it on for a shorter period achieves little more than using a regular non-medicated shampoo. Please ask about our Hydrosurge bathing unit, which delivers a continuous, invigorating flow of shampoo and water to optimally deliver the shampoo's active ingredients."

"what does this staph -look like. My puppy has a rash on her belly and occasionally "itchy pads" but only on her hind feet !! that comes and goes - the rash is not clearing up right now - (It's been hot too) and she got it after her shots - We were thinking allergy (she has some inflammation in her ears too, of course, or reaction to shots." ****************************************************** The Staph usually appears as small, pinkish, red spots ("rash"?) that often form tiny pustules. Schreiner's Solution is often helpful when applied to the feet (which may be affected by scratching at the ears). Your pup probably has a yeast infection (perhaps with a secondary bacterial infection) in her ears. Her ears must be examined with an otoscope to determine if the tympanic membrane is intact. Such products such as Epi-Otic are good for washing the debris from the ears. Oto-max (or an equivalent brand) suspension drops will address the yeast infection, secondary bacterial infection, and inflammation. Any of these conditions may occur when an already immature immune system is challenged by vaccinations (often referred to as "vaccinosis"). Louise

This problem is common in young puppies. It involves splashing urine on the bare skin. If one simply washes the tummy with mild soap and then dries the belly gently, all resolves with no need for antibiotics or creams...generally. This is the equivalent of puppy acne, is *very* common and easily treated. Once the dog is older, not so close to the ground *and* has a furry belly, this problem disappears entirely. I've not seen a correlation with this and dogs further going on to develop allergies, hot spots, ear infectioins or itchy paws. I've also seen no correlation with how the tail hangs. Each problem is independent of the staph infection spots on the belly. Best Wishes, Sue-Ann

Contact the GSD league of Great Britain. They have published articles on Anal Furunculosis in their handbooks, etc. (1988 has one) What is it? It is a deep pyoderma or infection of allthe skin and tissue surrounding the anus. What is the cause? NO one knows for sure. Some say it is caused by a wide tail root limiting air circulation. Some say it starts to a lack of inate inherant resistance in the individual to bacteria. What can be done? Anitbiotics may help. In severe cases the vets would amputate the tail.Cryotherapy has been successful. That is the controled freezing of the infected tissue to stop the rot and promote healing.According to the vet community, this is a prevalent problem in GSD. Hope this answers your questiion.

Contact the GSD league of Great Britain. They have published articles on Anal Furunculosis in their handbooks, etc. (1988 has one) What is it? It is a deep pyoderma or infection of allthe skin and tissue surrounding the anus. What is the cause? NO one knows for sure. Some say it is caused by a wide tail root limiting air circulation. Some say it starts to a lack of inate inherant resistance in the individual to bacteria. What can be done? Anitbiotics may help. In severe cases the vets would amputate the tail.Cryotherapy has been successful. That is the controled freezing of the infected tissue to stop the rot and promote healing.According to the vet community, this is a prevalent problem in GSD. Hope this answers your questiion.