Skin issue

Submitted by Holly-n-Charles on June 22, 2010 - 9:50pm

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We've been dealing with some sort of an allergy for a few weeks now and have been trying to narrow it down. We have weaned Gage over to Blue Buffalo because we thought the soy in his other food could be causing the issue. He started on Missing Link and is at 1/4 tbs per day. He seemed to be doing better this past week then today we came home to him completely broken out all over his face, neck and chest. He has what appear to be hives on his backside that are raw. He has open wounds on the back of his head. I am starting to think we are looking in the wrong direction with this. Could it be a topical allergy causing it like grass or mulch or even bug bites? Benadryl isn't helping at all. I've tried neosporin for the spots and also gold bond cream but that's not cutting it. We are trying to get him another appointment with the vet but they are rediculously busy and they are the only bulldog knowledgeable vet within a 60 mile radius. Anyone have any suggestions as to what it may be or what we can give him over the counter until we can get into the vet? My poor baby is MISERABLE! =(

Spots on his neck

His chin and face

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Holly <3 Gage <3 Sophie <3 Oliver

So sorry about Gage, Holly...

Submitted by kimrisa on June 22, 2010 - 11:19pm.

I don't have any medical expertise to offer but just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and understand your frustration. Gage looks like he has hives to me. Did anything change in his diet or do you think its diet related.

Tuffy has some sort of skin allergy too and I'm not sure what it is. He has red bumps on his chin and a little on his muzzle--not as bad as Gage's but concerning nonetheless. We thought it was a staff infection and the vet put him on antibiotics and it went away but now it's back and I'm beginning to think it's food related. Not sure if it's salmon related or perhaps the corn filler in his current food so I'm switching him over to a higher end Limited Ingredient diet. So I know how hard it is to pinpoint what could be causing these skin reactions. Please keep us posted on how poor Gage is doing. If the vet is too busy to see you, you might want to see someone else for this skin ailment before it gets worse...

Hang in there!

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Thanks

Submitted by Holly-n-Charles on June 23, 2010 - 6:28pm.

I'm really frustrated at this point. The poor thing has been uncomfortable for weeks and no matter what I try it doesn't seem to bring him much relief. But on the good, he is even more of a constant shadow with me than he was before... I think he can tell I'm doing everything I can for him. :) Hope you get Tuffy's skin cleared up soon, too! And thanks so much for all the info you sent about the cherry eye!

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Holly <3 Gage <3 Sophie <3 Oliver

You're welcome

Submitted by kimrisa on June 24, 2010 - 11:15pm.

Hope the info was helpful! I swear sometimes I feel like I'm neglecting my human kids because I'm so fixated on Tuffy's issues. I think once I get him on a higher end food his skin will be fine.

How is Gage now? Are the hives gone?

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Same problem over here

Submitted by onslowsmom on June 23, 2010 - 9:48am.

I have been back and forth to the vets since March and they put him on Antihistamine and Steroid again and again. I am doing the bloodwork on him and getting the allergy testing done to find out exactly what's bothering him - it's so hard to guess. Hope Gage feels better soon.

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Can you tell...

Submitted by Holly-n-Charles on June 23, 2010 - 6:31pm.

If the antihistemines help at all? The benadryl doesn't seem to do anything for Gage and I am wondering if maybe it's just not enough of a dosage or not strong enough.

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Holly <3 Gage <3 Sophie <3 Oliver

Hydroxizine

Submitted by onslowsmom on June 24, 2010 - 9:46am.

It is stronger than benadryl, its prescribed. I noticed a big change for the better with his runny nose and itchiness on the antihistamines.

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looks like hot spots on his head and acne on the chin

Submitted by Elaine on June 23, 2010 - 5:49pm.

neck spots look like hot spots. Give a bath and clean them. The hair will fall off and there will be a pink bald spot. It will heal faster if you clean the hair and crust off. If you have any TriOtic or Otomax left over from an ear infection, that stuff clears it up almost overnight. Otherwise, try dabbing them with Listerine. I've heard others have success with that as an over the counter option.

Not sure about under the chin. Could be acne or staph. Might need a course of antibiotics. I sometimes buy Cephalexin as "Fish-Flex" It's the same as the prescription med, but since it is for fish tanks it doesn't require a prescription. It's the exact same stuff. I buy it through Amazon or other sites that carry fish meds. Entirelypets.com carries it too.

My junior has hot spots on his side and staph next to his peep right now. I put him on Cephalexin and I'm using Otomax on his hot spots. I can't figure out what is causing them, but I took him off NB Duck in case that is the cause. I know if I take him to the vet she will prescribe Cephalexin.

Leaving a dog damp or not getting all the shampoo out of his coat after a bath can also contribute to hot spots.

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Great info!

Submitted by Holly-n-Charles on June 23, 2010 - 6:38pm.

Thanks a bunch, Elaine! I also thought his neck looked like hot spots. I have some TriOtic in the medice cabinet so I will give that a try tonight. I've tried stridex on his chin/muzzle because I thought it was acne but now it looks like it's antibiotic time for that. The vet moved us up to an appt... NEXT wed....but thankfully he looks a little bit better today. We've also quarentined him to the house for a few days which he's less than thrilled about LOL!

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Holly <3 Gage <3 Sophie <3 Oliver