skin problem/tail problem
Submitted by sammy89 on January 8, 2011 - 6:43pmHi, My 3yr old bulldog is having some skin problems. Never had a problem before. She has a couple of dark spot on her back, when cleaned, gently the scab has flaked off and is red raw. It doesn't seem to be bugging her at all, but there is definatly a problem though. Any suggestions. She has been on raw food for over a year and a half, so unless maybe the butcher has changed their ingredients, not sure kind of grasping at straws.
Secondly her tail pocket has a really gross smell when I clean it. Usually if it is dirty when I clean it, it is a dark brown colour, but the last couple of times it has been very smelly, like when I do her anal glands, and is kind of yellowish. Any help with either topic would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sam & Hershey :)
Tail & Skin Problems
It certainly sounds like you may have an infection in the tail. I think a vet visit is in order for the tail. I myself have a dog with an inverted screw tail and it's a LOT of work. I clean it about 3 times a week with malacetic wipes, dry well with cotton balls then scoosh some medicated powder( Gold Bond ) into the space with a plastic mustard/ketchup bottle. Every now and again it gets infected no matter what I do. Last week we got some Animax ointment from the vet to apply for a little while.
This same dog who also eats a raw diet has been having crusty scabby skin issues lately as well as a little weight gain so I had the vet run a Thyroid panel and lo and behold ....thyroid is low. We will try a low dose of thyroid medicine for 6 weeks and re check her levels. Hope your bully gets better. Good Luck !
bad breeding???
Hi thanks for the info. We have since taken her to the vet and lo and behold she is allergic to cedar trees. Who would have thought. Well actually I had an idea that that might have been cause she was always rubbing and weaving in and out of the cedar trees in the backyard. She has a course of antibiotics and things are already clearing up.
Her tail is another issue, yes it is infected, I guess the antibiotics will help that too. Surgery has been reccomended, unless we want to continue to clean etc. I think we will wait and see for now. I would hate to get rid of her tail. She is all white except for her tail pocket which is brown......I was also told it was due to bad breeding.......the tail pocket should not be very deep, and is the cause of over breeding the same line over and over??? We bought her from a reputable breeder.... she has been an awesome dog health wise so far so who knows. I would hate to think that is actually what the problem is due to. :(
For now we will continue to clean and try the gold bond as well. thanks again and good luck to you!!