Irritated skin on 8 month old GSD - Page 2

Thanks everybody, plenty to follow up, plus hope.

fred.

One of my GSDs was diagnosed with non allergic atopic dermatitis (I think thats what the vet called it!!!  lol)

It started with lots of scratching, then bald patches and finally inflamed and infected patches. His skin developed a very greasy feel and smelled yeasty. Not pleasant. Our vet tried Malaseb, changing his food and steroids. He was finally referred to the Vet hospital at Liverpool University where they carried out a number of tests and decided that he has an 'overactive reaction to unspecified irritants'. In other words something bugs the hell out of him but they dont know what!! He was prescribed Atopica which works but is terribly expensive through the vets. He was then switched to Prednisolone. He stil has awful skin but at least we can keep him comfortable now.

Sorry Fred. Not very cheery was it?

Following all the comments received we have followed them up and are now in the position of the man with 2 watches who never knows what the time is! We have reverted to his pre-problem diet but would appreciate any further comments regarding the 2 recommendations received from vets:

1. 3 injections of Polyvac TM c. No. 3 over 3 weeks with all over washes every other day for a fortnight (though the instructions suggest 4 applications at 3 or 4 day intervals) with a 20ml to 1 litre of water solution of Imaverol (broad spectrum antimycotic, active ingredient enilconazole).

2. 3 injections of Imaverol over three weeks wih up to 1/3 of the body being sprayed every day for 10 days with a tincture of benzoic acid, aspirin and iodine. Vet number 1 says Imaverol solution is much better than the tincture and vet number 2 says the injections of Imaverol are better than Polyvac.

What we are doing at the moment is following vet number 1 but spraying the worst parts with the tincture on the day between sprays.

Anyone with any experience of either or both of these regimens?

Thanks, Fred.

Why not change his food for a Non Grain Kibble Like orijen, That in itsself will eliminate a grain problem in the diet

Also give the Dog a Squirt of Salmon Oil on the morning feed every morning plain kibble in the evening

If then it is a grain related problem it will clear itsself up if you feed a grain free kibble

For me Salmon Oil is a real Must regardless of what kibble or in fact a Raw diet

Steve

First of all dont over do.Isnt it so amazing that over the last three decades plus that the doctors and vets are claiming so many allergies? Can you post a picture of your dog?Tar shampoo if you can still find it is very good.The old head and shoulders shampoo is good as well.All these damn steriodal shots are no good!!With the vets and the doctors..it seems that their right and left hand are just overwhelmed and diagnosis is just thrown out.With iodine..It is an antibacterial and a drying agent but to overdry will create more difficulty if over used.It basically stems from scarlet oil...will go on about blue tinture later.Good old aspirin is in so many products..will add later.DMSO is wonderful!!!Fred, are the spots on your dog weepy/moist..have an odor?I wouldnt worry so much about the diet of your dog..first treat.What I have been finding in my "Little" research..haha setting aside genetics and food is in that so many gsd owners do not see the dog at hand and the job that they want to do OR they see it and just figure a gsd can be turned off...for a day or two or more.This causes additional stress to the being of the individual which directly affects the immunity.Sublet scratching etc etc.Tail biting etc etc Just my input. Candace

Thanks Candace.

What is DMSO?

The skin was moist and smelly now it is almost cleared up.  Only one or 2 spots left and it is not clear whether this is the original problem or where he is scratching licking.  We are having to brush 3 times a day because whenever he shakes himself (violently from nose to tail) he becomes the centre of a cloud of small particles ( we imagine these are the dead fungi).

Fred.

Help! Things have got much worse now.   After a time when things seemed to improve, the skin and scratching have taken a turn for the worse - this may be related to removing yogurt from his diet - any thoughts.  The vet has now started anti-mange injections - though he says he was unable to see any mites under the microscope - he's now taken more extensive scrapings to study. He is also preparing us for the possibility that euthanasia may be the kindest treatment. 

P.S. does anyone have experience with on-line vets which they can recommend?

you need a new vet. it is way to soon to cosider putting the pup down.ivermetin will work on many shin problems. and it does not have to be injected .it is just as affective orally.18 years ogo my shepherd came down with skin problems was treated orrally with ivermectin .i also had to wash the spot with white dial soap ,,rinse off then apply a mix of one half water to one half rubbing alcohol cleared up after three weeks of this .yes the thought of the  rubbing alcohol and water did seem like it would be painful but it did not hurt the dog and as i say the skin problem did clear up, also did you try limesulfer .my vet mixes her own it smells bad but it works.good luck

 Allergies are not always food related... think about toxins and things around your house & yard that could be bothering him - cleaning products/detergents, carpet cleaner, fertilizer, bedding, etc.  A client of mine had a dog that would swim in her pond every day.  The dog started itching horribly.  He doesn't swim anymore and so now he doesn't itch. Frontline can also overdose a puppy's immune system and cause allergies.  Think about where your dog spends most of his time... and brainstorm.

dmso is a solvent that they use on horses legs for inflammation,  also used as an iv for horses with brain and spinal cord swelling.