Irritated skin on 8 month old GSD - Page 4

One clove of raw garlic in the food also helps a lot. Build up the immune system with vitamin E, C, omega 3 and the raw diet. Goodluck!

Hi Fred i am so pleased your boy seems to be on the mend,i think putting a sweater on him is an excellent idea.Please keep us informed of is progress.

Regards to you all.

Oh b******* - it's all gone to pot again! After 2 reasonable days when we thought he was recovering after the steroid injection his red wet skin / scratching / licking and biting himself has come back as bad as before. I'll take him to the vet again in he morning but as I understand it there is no future in constant steroid injections - especially in a young dog.

He at least seems to want to keep his blanket on now - which also seems to cut down on him irritating his skin mechanically.  When we tuck the blanket under his chin he purrs (a very low gentle growling sound.  He is just as active and playful as before and the 2 days respite enabled us to get his training working again.

He is on raw diet + live yogurt now.

We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Thanks for your support.

The vet gave him another steroid injection today (postponing his blood test until Friday).  He wants to find out if the fungus infection is the primary cause of the skin problems or if is an opportunist invasion of an already compromised skin.

The fact that the first steroid injection had such a dramatic (beneficail) effect seesm to be a good sign to the vet who says if necessary he can supply steroid tablets for life - hough previously we have been told (not by the vet) that it is unhealthy to take steroids over a long period.

Any further comments welcome.

Thanks, fred

Hi Fred

I have a dog who is allergic to various meat proteins and dust mites, I also tried Atopica an exspensive medication which in his case didnt work.

It as already been suggested to you but not sure if you have, you need to find a protein base that he hasnt eaten before, start on an exclusion diet feed what ever source of protein you decide on with rice for a minimum of 12 wks with out anything else, bathe in a shampoo that is antifungal and antibacterial daily untill you get on top of the infections.  If you are giving chicken, then stop this is one of the worst for protein allergies.

Steroids are the only medication that as worked for my dog, antihistamines wont as if it is the same then the histamine levels dont rise but the immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking the dog from the inside out. You will likely find his white cells elevated.

Also re steroids I have a friend in Denmark whos dog as taken these in oral form daily since he was 2yrs he is now over 10yrs.  Aslong as the dog is monitored by blood tests to check for organ damage, then this maybe your only option.

I would also look at his environment and see if there are things that can be eliminated there.

Pam

This actually helped me out some.  My 2 year has a hairless spot  on the left side of face....where his whiskers are.  I just started about a week ago.  I plan on taking him to the vet today....if I can get an appt. 

Not good news from the vet yesterday.  That patch on his face is a mite infestation.  As he explained,  all dogs/animals/humans have mites on hair folicles.  He said this patch is what you would see in young pups until their immune system strengthens.....then you will no issues.  My dog is 2 years and he said that it is unusual to have this at this age.  They did lab work and I will know today if there is an underlying problem with his immune system.  I did research on the web last night.  It confirmed the same thing the vet was telling me.  If there is a problem,  it could be kidney, liver disease, cancer.....etc.  Hopefully it all comes back neg and can just treat with the cream he gave me.

Sorry to her about the mite infestation, but at least you have an answer to the symptoms which will hopefully lead to a cure.

All the best,

fred

Thanks Fred!!

Hello Fred,

Sorry for your pain, I've been researching online info you can access from Bulgaria and perhaps get answers. Here goes...

netvet.wustl.edu/special.htm.......vet specialties,holitic health forum,viral zoonoses,viral databases online,virtual vet pak practice

Pet.Justanswer.com......12 vets ask a vet now!

Allalliedhealthschools.com...pcu college of holistic diagnosis

phdproducts.com...natural diet foundation homeopathic emergency kit,para yeast control,herbal oils for skin enzymes

mossnutrition.com...cytozyme glandulars,chinese and ayurvedic herbs,homeo cleansers for detox from:allergies,chemicals,heavy metals,virusus and bacteria.Bromelain plus pro green herbal powder

www.goodpet.com...calm stress,scratch relief........Fred have worked with herbal med for many years, also have numerous other contacts if you need #'s or more info PM me or if I can ship to you if that would be helpful. One or 2 links should be in Europe.Hope this helps. Ravenhawk