Willow needs her friends advice again

How is Willow. I wish she could  get well like Trudy. I really wish ALL allergy dogs could feel better. It has to make them crazy. Of course it is hard on us also. I hope you found help.

She's not doing too bad.  The original areas on the base of her tail that I found last weekend are gone now.  I used Panalog last night and I might use it once more tonight but those are gone.

She's still got some areas of pinkness and blotchiness on her legs but for the most part---as far as I can see--she's doing much better.

I'm looking into some supplements that might help her out and we've already got her on a limited ingredient diet.  I'm also going to try bathing her weekly for awhile and see if things stay more in control with that. 
It's a work in progress!! 

Just keeping you on your toes Lori!!!   LOL!

Lori, I'm sorry you're still trying to get to the bottom of Willow's mysterious red bumps and odor.  I don't have anything helpful to add now, but I sure can sympathize.  When I hear about the baffling struggles so many dogs have with skin issues, I wish someone would find a fool-proof solution so I could apply it my OWN skin.  Seriously, I've tried to apply the same rationale everyone talks about here for on-going issues I have -- bouts of red, ithcy bumpy patches on my face that seem to have no rhyme or reason. 
 
I've gone through all the usual prescription medications, which only mask the symptoms temporarily.  I've switched my shampoo, facial wash, moisturizers, make-up, etc. about a million times.  I went on a hugely restrictive diet of NO yeast products, no grains, no sugars, no citrus.  All it got me was weight loss and feeling constantly starving.  The only thing I see that really makes a difference is stress, but even that isn't 100% of the problem.  Maybe it would help if I went on a 100% raw diet like some dogs do -- but I'm not willing to do that yet!
 
Unfortunately, I think dogs are like people -- some of us just have highly reactive skin that is sensitive to all kinds of stuff, and we also probably have immune systems that don't quite work right either.  Thus, an on-going struggle with flare-ups.  Like I said, I have nothing valuable to say here -- just venting about myself really, and saying that I understand your frustration.
 
I just thought of one thing I did in desperation when my skin felt super itchy and raw - I steeped some chamomile tea bags in cold water and held them on the patches.  It sure felt good for a while, even though it didn't eliminate them.  When Tonka had flare-ups of interdigital dermatitis, I'd tuck the wet tea bags between his toes, and he seemed to like it! 

I just thought of one thing I did in desperation when my skin felt super itchy and raw - I steeped some chamomile tea bags in cold water and held them on the patches.

Ohhh, I almost forgot about that. I brew 4-5 bags of chamomile, in hot tub water, for Emma, and wait for it to cool. Then, I pour it over her (small, virtually hairless) whole body. It really seems to calm her skin down. For Willow, maybe a spray bottle (if spray bottles don't make her antsy) or just blotting on chamomile would bring some relief to super itchy spots.

Tracy--your posts are always great and I value what you have to say. 
 
Thanks for the tea tip!  That's a great idea.  I'm going to keep that one in mind for sure.
 
She's doing well, I'm not seeing much scratching so hopefully everything is calming down.  I'm not smelling anything the past couple of days either. 
 
She's not going to like this but she's getting another bath tomorrow.
 
I've tried so many kibbles but I have to say I'm impressed with the Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato.  I feel like it's such a nice "clean" food.  And, it smells fresh. 

She's doing well, I'm not seeing much scratching so hopefully everything is calming down.  I'm not smelling anything the past couple of days either. 

 
Lori, thats great to hear!  I hate that always worrying feeling!
 
I just gave Bubby a half of bath yesterday.... mainly her legs and feet that get dirty and have an odor to them.....that frito smell but big time on a big dog!!      Plus, she is such a slobberer' that she leaves food dripped on her front legs a lot (I try to check that out after her meals)  and then later during the day, she spends time licking it off.....so I need to keep at least parts of her bathed...and now that its cold outside I don't bathe her as often.    I hook my hose up to my inside laundry tub where the faucet has warm water,,,and I can bathe her in the garage then.

Hope she is feeling better now.  I think you mentioned in the other thread you gave a Frontline right away when you suspected something was up, and if it was a flea thing, that could have nipped it early.  The wet paper towel test is a good quick method to determine the flea bites.  That was probably a 4-5 days after the dose and maybe a wash as well hid some evidence for accuracy.  Sounds like she is doing well, that is good news.  Ticks are around now and we got em around here.  Was splitting some firewood Sun afternoon, and pulled one out of me a few hours later.  He was just starting to dig in and I felt something on my side...been lucky this year catching them early.  I'm dosing again soon come Nov 1st for the dogs and the cats got one about mid Oct so they're good for another 2 weeks.  This is pretty much prime time for ticks up until we start getting some steady frosts.  Glad to hear she is feeling better!  Charlie

My homeothic vet says to use green tea compresses or make a solution of Rescue Remedy in some spring water to dab on.
 
I think Calendula oinment would good to - it has healing properties for burns and skin irritaions.
 
He prescribed Thuja for Lola's itching.

Thanks everyone.  She's still doing well.  A little redness on her back leg area but that's the only area I see.  And, it's not bumpy just red.  The base of her tail is completely cleared up. 
 
I'm not smelling that odor anymore.  It had to have something to do with those areas. 
 
She's going to get another dose of Frontline next month.  I'm not sure I'll stop it at all this winter after this.  We have another dog downstairs in the house and can't they live inside since it's warm in here.
 
See, if we lived in our house alone I would stop it.  But, I'm not sure now after this issue.  It's hard to tell what caused it.

I am glad miss willow is doing better!  It sounds like what you are doing (either one thing or a combination) is really making a difference.  Even if you have to keep up with more frequent baths, etc…I am sure it is worth it.[]
 
Is she doing OK on her NB diet??
 

I just gave Bubby a half of bath yesterday.... mainly her legs and feet that get dirty and have an odor to them.....that frito smell but big time on a big dog!! Plus, she is such a slobberer' that she leaves food dripped on her front legs a lot (I try to check that out after her meals) and then later during the day, she spends time licking it off.....so I need to keep at least parts of her bathed...and now that its cold outside I don't bathe her as often. I hook my hose up to my inside laundry tub where the faucet has warm water,,,and I can bathe her in the garage then.

 
[sm=rotfl.gif]  Dyan- cracking up with the visuals here!! Love the idea of the 1/2 bath!! 
 
Danes are such slobberers...I thought greys can get bad, but actually for hounds they are pretty good.  That said, mine slobber a lot when they chew on the CET chews or bully sticks.  The bully sticks make them stink because they hold it between their aws and it gets all smelly when they chew on it, then their stinky bully stick saliva runs all over their legs.  Then later when the bully sticks are put away they lick their front legs where the residual bully taste is and they just make their legs even more smelly.  [:'(]
 
We have started to bath them about every 2-3 weeks at the doggie wash because we don't like the smell.  Also, JJ never cleans his mouth after eating so he gets it all crusty.  Maybe we should do the 1/2 bath with them too![]

JJ's mom---You know what, I strongly recommend the NB Fish and Sweet Potato.  I've been really impressed with it as far as appearance, it looks and smells fresh and it's not greasy.  I'm really glad I tried it I wasn't going to at first.

And, as far as how Willow is reacting.  She only eats kibble in the morning but she's been eating it pretty well.  A little fussy with it because to her the kibble is too big.  But, I've been trying to chop it up a little for her.  And, I bought some ricotta cheese to mix in which makes everything go down better.  I think she's eat the newspaper with that stuff on it, LOL! 

And, no poop issues which is huge for her.  There's been no vomiting, no gagging, nothing. 

I found some bumps and redness on her belly yesterday so I'm applying the ointment there.  I really hope this is a seasonal thing or something like that because I can't imagine what is causing this.  It can't be fleas like I originally thought.

The vet didn't think we needed to go so far as a skin scrap at this point. 

But, I'm off the first week in December and I just might take her to a dermatologist if this keeps on. 
 
EDITED TO SAY---I get out the doggie wipes and wipe her mouth, mane and legs after bully sticks.  And, I use just a damp paper towel after each meal that I'm around for.  Chows tend to get everything but the kitchen sink stuck in their mane. []

Willow such troubles you give your mom. The Danehaven boys say your mom should try Nzymes Oxy-drops.

http://alpha-nutrition.stores.yahoo.net/nzymesoxydrops.html

Lori, I have used this product for several years. I keep a spray bottle of the 2% solution handy at all times. It gets sprayed on every owwie, sore or itchy. Human or dog. I gave a bottle to my Vet. Anytime I call him he says spray the Oxy on it. And call me back if it doesn't fix it. Last week I took Saber in because he had a bad case of butt licking. I can't hold a Dane and see what is going on back there at the same time. I thought it was anal glands. Vet looked (while I held) and he said not anal glands but a patch of probable staph under his tail. Blue dogs and all their skin problems.[sm=crazy.gif] I've used it on his acne, hot spots, wasp sting, etc. etc... Oxy drops works everytime. Now Captain is getting it on his itchy between his toes. It is worth a try for Willow.

Thank you!  I will give it a shot.  Yes, she is a big blue fur ball of trouble!