Our 4 year old labrador has some very serious scatching and skin issues and I dont know what more I can do. She is absolutely miserable and has bl0ody patches off her everywhere!
It started at the beginning of spring/summer. Only this year. She started scratching at the top of her ears after spending some time out on our other property. We took her to the vet after they refused to heal and they took some scrapings. There were no mites to be found. She was put on mild steriods and antibiotics and they eventually cleared up only to come back again once the steriods stopped!
It got so severe that we had to put a bucket on her head and once they were healed, another set turned up else where. Again to the steriods but even they arent very effective now.
She has pancreatitis so is limited in fat intake. She's been on a special diet, previously rice and veges with lean meat, now a lean dog food. The change in diet happened long before this issue and it was changed on the advice of the vet for more vitamins.
She is outdoors.
She has been flea'd and everything else that goes with those things, and wormed.
Currently she has these bald, blo0dy patches from her face, her ears, her legs, EVERYWHERE! Im trying to keep them clean for her, and after the bucket she doesnt scratch them as often and I tell her off each time she does but I cant be there 100% of the time.
We've tried bathing her in a special antibatical, antifungal type stuff and it didnt help, tried oatmeal for dogs type shampoo. Tried no baths, more baths. We've gone so far as to have her nails clipped really really short.
I dont know what else to do for her. She is miserable, she will whimper because of the itch and scratching. Shes brushed regularly.
What else can I do? What else could it be? I dont want her to suffer anymore?
For many itchy dogs it is seasonal - so when the weather is warmest and different grasses etc are about - the steroids and creams are really your only long term soloution - go back to the vet and get some more medication for her.
Our lab used to get something that sounded like this and the vet called them 'hotspots'. There was a spray that we used to use on her, from memory it was pink and that helped control her scratching (stopped the weeping and itching) so she could heal. I am sorry I can't remember the name of the stuff tho. Poor thing.
Your poor pooch...it must be awful being so itchy.
I don't know from first hand experience, but my Sister has a dog who has atopy. It is serious allergies. Her dog is allergic to chicken (I know, how annoying) so every time he eats it, he is itchy, and scratches and gets awful blobby things on his skin, till they dry out.
Sterioids for a long period aren't good either....it effects their liver after a long time. If you really want to help your dog I suggest getting it allergy tested, which can be expensive. It wouldn't help being outside in the grasses / pollen either.
If your dog is on sterioids, you can get some stuff called Milk Thistle from health food shops which helps detoxify the liver, and my sister uses a product called Maleseb on the skin. Your poor pooch is only young, so hopefully there can be somethig done.
To me it sounds like hot spots, especially if they only appeared once the weather started warming up. Although it could also be an allergy to certain grasses/seeds/flowers too at that time of year. Has your vet suggested anything else? Or maybe an animal naturopath could help?
Poor doggie
If you can afford it I would recommend seeing a pet dermatologist. I don't know where you are but check in your local phone book or your vet should be able to refer you on. Allergies are a pain in the rear end - your poor doggy!
Labrador with severe skin issue - please help.
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