Dog Community

Help with rash

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:08:59 PM

We got our lab at 8 weeks old. After about 2 weeks we noticed that he was scratching a lot. We took him to the vet and they just said that he didn't have fleas and that was it. He started developing a bad rash on his belly and he had scabs around is hind legs area. We took him to another vet who said to try a dermotologist. After speaking with the breeder and researching online, I am finding that the dermotologists are expensive and do not always have the answer.
We have tried benedryl, steroids, and desenex shampoo. I just want to find out what is causing it. Can someone give me suggestions?
By the way, we put in on Solid Gold for 3 months to see if that would help. It did not. Maybe a raw diet??? Are there supplements that would help if it is an allergy? He is now 10 months old and it has been the same for about 7 months.
Thanks for any help you can offer.

cakana

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:49:33 PM

Unfortunately, I don't have experience with this with a dog so young, so it could be something different than I've gone thru. My lab didn't start having these types of problems until she was about 4. I did the elimination diet, which I recommend to anyone wondering if it's food related. Commercial foods, even allergen formulas like Natural Balance, have too many ingredients to be considered an elimination diet. For that you'd need to feed one novel protein and carb. Not as hard as you might think, and will rule out the question of it being an issue with diet.

Veterinary dermatologists aren't actually all that expensive and it would be worth the money go get at least a consult. I think mine charges about $90 but she was thorough and spent a good deal of time discussing things with me. I can tell you from experience that every single thing I procrastinated on for financial or other reasons, I ultimately ended up doing, but usually after wasting time and money.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:56:04 PM

Welcome to idog dugan; Sounds like your pup has been having a bad time with his skin. I was going to suggest it was a contact allergy but the Gold Bond Powder should have helped if it was. I think he may have mange, which is caused by mites; did either of the vets you saw do skin scrapings to check for mites? Until it's treated properly mange won't go away and there are at least a couple different kinds requiring different treatments. Just in case it is a contact allergy, which is most likely caused by a plant, here's a picture of a Wnadering Jew; [linkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Wandering_Jew_pl.jpg]

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It is a vinelike plant that is very common in the southern part of the U.S. and is a frequent cause of contact allergies in dogs. I hope this helps; keep us posted about your pup, I hope you find the answer soon.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 8/30/2006 2:56:34 PM

My first thought was red mange mites. Surely the vet would have checked for that. My 11 1/2 year old golden had a rash/scabs, raw meat from chewing on his tummy and my vet determined it was "contact dermatitis" and more than likely got it from getting into my fenced flower bed and laying in the lantana.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/30/2006 10:39:43 PM

No, that's not demodex (which is what's called 'red mange' -- but it COULD be sarcoptic mites. But that would generalize to other areas too.

My best guess is a contact allergy -- it's right where this dog lies down on his belly and walks along the grass. Where are you located?? The wandering jew is only one of MANY dog contact allergens.

Donna Varnum

Posted : 8/31/2006 9:10:48 AM

We live in NC now, but we were living in San Jose CA when we got him. We moved when he was about 5 months old. We thought that the new environment would be better for him. No such luck.
Thanks for the help everyone! I think I will have to take him the a vet dermotologist and hope they don't charge a fortune to figure it out.