Dog - skin issue identification

Dog - skin issue identification

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hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2020
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Hi all,

I'm hoping someone has seen similar and how it was treated.

It first flared up about a month ago...just stayed at a red mark. It slowly faded then last week flared up again but much more angry and is very rough to the touch.

He doesn't flinch when I touch it and doesn't lick it...he's not changed in the slightest.

I'm struggling him to get a vet appointment at the weekend plus the taking him to the vet is hugely stressful for him...and the vet!

I will take him but I'm aware there is at least Bex that might have seen similar and can advise on a home remedy treatment. I've cut out all treats and he's just eating the food he's been on for the last year. Washed all his bedding and given him a bath. The other dog isn't showing any symptoms so I don't think it's environmental.

As I say, I'll endeavor to get to the vet...but if anyone has seen similar I'd appreciate any advice other than what I've done so far.

Cheers



Deckert

626 posts

196 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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Hi, not a dog, sorry, but our cat has had very similar for a couple of years. They suddenly appeared and have pretty much remained, easing and worsening week by week. We have had numerous vet visits and have been told it is likely miliary dermatitis, general allergic reaction to something, could be anything. We thought something in the garden, but having kept her in all over winter it made no difference. We tried the elimination diet thing and that made no difference either, so it looks to be an idiopathic allergy. Treatment has been Isaderm cream and prednisolone pills. These don't treat the cause, just the symptoms. Next visit is actually tomorrow as it has flared up again very badly on her face, poor thing. A skin scrape will be probably be recommended now to send to the lab.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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Deckert said:
Hi, not a dog, sorry, but our cat has had very similar for a couple of years. They suddenly appeared and have pretty much remained, easing and worsening week by week. We have had numerous vet visits and have been told it is likely miliary dermatitis, general allergic reaction to something, could be anything. We thought something in the garden, but having kept her in all over winter it made no difference. We tried the elimination diet thing and that made no difference either, so it looks to be an idiopathic allergy. Treatment has been Isaderm cream and prednisolone pills. These don't treat the cause, just the symptoms. Next visit is actually tomorrow as it has flared up again very badly on her face, poor thing. A skin scrape will be probably be recommended now to send to the lab.
Ow! Poor cat!

I've managed to get Bruno in for a visit on Sunday morning so I'll see what they say and update on the off chance someone else searches for something similar.

What you've described is what I think is similar to the images I've seen on Google. And I pity the vet that wants to do a skin scrape on him...even getting a thermometer up his jacksie requires me to perform a wrestling grip on him and hold on for dear life.


Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Our frenchie has similar sometimes, never found the cause of it despite many vet visits and tests, but its somehow under control now.

He also gets spots on his back or legs where he starts losing his fur which the latest vet thought was fungal and told us to get Caneston Solution from the pharmacy which worked very well, we just rub it on his spots when he gets flare ups and it works quick to relieve the itch and it goes away pretty quickly too, we are going to get some fungal shampoo to try also to wash him all over easier. Also seen people online using mix of water and vinegar, lemon juice or peroxide to wash them with but not tried this yet.

The vet gave us a small amount of some red super strength stuff which worked well in his last flare up, I found the shampoo/sprays linked below online this week which get good reviews, the photos on amazon of before and after looks similar to what Rocco gets so i'm hoping it will also help, currently he is ok but it comes and goes.

I think it is maybe a yeast issue, Rocco was on apoquel, antibiotics and other steroid type drugs before when trying to get to the bottom of his allergies but I suspect it might be a yeast issue rather than allergies, no tests showed anything he was allergic to and the drugs they gave him helped but just suppressed the need to itch and his immune system reaction as far as I am aware. Apparently if they have been on this it can cause issues with yeast and makes it harder for them to fight the yeast infections from what I read, the caneston helping would support this too I guess.
We will also be looking at maybe changing his diet again for something specific to help against yeast, although we have tried many different foods already without success!

We will try something like the two shampoos/sprays linked below, I linked US amazon as they have more reviews and pictures to compare with but will be able to get in UK also or something similar at least.

https://www.amazon.com/SynergyLabs-Veterinary-Clin...

https://www.amazon.com/Antifungal-Anti-Yeast-Chlor...

This is quite a long read but thought it was pretty good

https://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/systemic_ye...

How old is bruno now? Our issues started around 1 year old, but no idea if that has any relevance, just curious.

Hope you get to the bottom of it, look forward to what your vet says on Sunday. Good luck!

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Also another thing we use sometimes is this:

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/tea-tree-s...

It definitely helps sooth it, Rocco hates lying on his back normally but happily does so to get this rubbed on his itchy spots, cheap too!

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Wow! Many thanks for the detailed reply...I'll digest it properly when I get home tonight.

Bruno is nearly 2 and has had the tiny little spots you mention a couple of times...he doesn't seemed bothered by anything and he's done well so far with vets/medical treatment so far...our lab has cost way more than him. smile

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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hondafanatic said:
Wow! Many thanks for the detailed reply...I'll digest it properly when I get home tonight.

Bruno is nearly 2 and has had the tiny little spots you mention a couple of times...he doesn't seemed bothered by anything and he's done well so far with vets/medical treatment so far...our lab has cost way more than him. smile
No worries, hope it helps, although i'm no expert, just based on our experiences so far, still have no actual answers after two years of it but at least it seems under control with this latest vet, who is more of an old school type it seems. Thankfully Rocco actually enjoys the vet trips and gets excited when we turn up as he knows he will get some dried horse lungs or something similarly tasty afterwards from the vet hehe

Might be worth picking up some caneston solution on the way home to try? We noticed a difference pretty quickly with Rocco and I guess it wouldn't do any harm either way, wasn't expensive either. Looks similar although no idea if its the same as Bruno has...

This is what we have:

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_8337_canes...

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Friday 24th January 2020
quotequote all
Lazermilk said:
hondafanatic said:
Wow! Many thanks for the detailed reply...I'll digest it properly when I get home tonight.

Bruno is nearly 2 and has had the tiny little spots you mention a couple of times...he doesn't seemed bothered by anything and he's done well so far with vets/medical treatment so far...our lab has cost way more than him. smile
No worries, hope it helps, although i'm no expert, just based on our experiences so far, still have no actual answers after two years of it but at least it seems under control with this latest vet, who is more of an old school type it seems. Thankfully Rocco actually enjoys the vet trips and gets excited when we turn up as he knows he will get some dried horse lungs or something similarly tasty afterwards from the vet hehe

Might be worth picking up some caneston solution on the way home to try? We noticed a difference pretty quickly with Rocco and I guess it wouldn't do any harm either way, wasn't expensive either. Looks similar although no idea if its the same as Bruno has...

This is what we have:

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_8337_canes...
I'll do just that! I'll get some on the way home.

Bruno basically has two approaches to anything out of the ordery.

Option 1 - can I eat it?
Option 2 - can I kill it?

He pretty much dismissed option 1 the second the vet tried to take his temperature. Now he's on a infinite loop of option 2 with the vet. hehe

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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hondafanatic said:
Lazermilk said:
hondafanatic said:
Wow! Many thanks for the detailed reply...I'll digest it properly when I get home tonight.

Bruno is nearly 2 and has had the tiny little spots you mention a couple of times...he doesn't seemed bothered by anything and he's done well so far with vets/medical treatment so far...our lab has cost way more than him. smile
No worries, hope it helps, although i'm no expert, just based on our experiences so far, still have no actual answers after two years of it but at least it seems under control with this latest vet, who is more of an old school type it seems. Thankfully Rocco actually enjoys the vet trips and gets excited when we turn up as he knows he will get some dried horse lungs or something similarly tasty afterwards from the vet hehe

Might be worth picking up some caneston solution on the way home to try? We noticed a difference pretty quickly with Rocco and I guess it wouldn't do any harm either way, wasn't expensive either. Looks similar although no idea if its the same as Bruno has...

This is what we have:

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_8337_canes...
I'll do just that! I'll get some on the way home.

Bruno basically has two approaches to anything out of the ordery.

Option 1 - can I eat it?
Option 2 - can I kill it?

He pretty much dismissed option 1 the second the vet tried to take his temperature. Now he's on a infinite loop of option 2 with the vet. hehe
Hope it helps!

biggrin

Rocco is a total softy, always has been, if another dog acts aggressive towards him he doesn't react and just stands there looking a bit confused why it doesn't want to play, last time he got his temp taken at the vet he didn't even flinch... hehe

I do have to hold his head for injections but most of the time he doesn't seem to mind and is more interested in the treats that are coming at the end than anything else, would do anything for food!

bexVN

14,682 posts

217 months

Saturday 25th January 2020
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I can"t diagnose (not allowed to) but I would agree re trying some canestan. It is very unlikely to make it worse and it definitely has a fungal look about it. It doesn't quite match how you'd expect a fungal infection to usually develop (usually by now you would have expected more patches to have developed given the time frame) but isolated patch and not a rash appearance and generally non pruritic does.

However as much as it may bbe a stressful thing to do I have to adv a vet appt (to cover myself!) there are some medications out now that can be given before a visit to reduce anxiety. I can't remember their name right now (a new one for me to know!)

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Saturday 25th January 2020
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bexVN said:
I can"t diagnose (not allowed to) but I would agree re trying some canestan. It is very unlikely to make it worse and it definitely has a fungal look about it. It doesn't quite match how you'd expect a fungal infection to usually develop (usually by now you would have expected more patches to have developed given the time frame) but isolated patch and not a rash appearance and generally non pruritic does.

However as much as it may bbe a stressful thing to do I have to adv a vet appt (to cover myself!) there are some medications out now that can be given before a visit to reduce anxiety. I can't remember their name right now (a new one for me to know!)
Really appreciate the response smile

If there’s something I can do to reduce his anxiety/all out aggression I’d definitely get it.

I’ve been using the canestan and he’s fine with it being applied and it’s not got any worse.

I’ll update tomorrow after his appointment and I’ve picked the remains of the vet out of his fur.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
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Well £106 lighter and back in on Friday to get his scraping culture results and further treatment if needed. He has two skin lotions to treat it daily but they wanted to avoid antibiotics at this stage.

He wasn’t as bad as I made out and I only needed one wrestling lock hold on him while the vet scraped his now rather angry looking patch.

He’s now sulking looking rather sorry for himself but at least the Lab has a break from his normal harassment. hehe

bexVN

14,682 posts

217 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
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Glad the visit went well. Hopefully get some answers soon

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Monday 27th January 2020
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How is Bruno doing today? Was there any improvement with the caneston?

What were the lotions they prescribed? Would be curious to see if its something we could try also in future.

Hope hes feeling better soon anyway, look forward to hearing what the vet says on Friday.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Monday 27th January 2020
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The canaston definitely took the heat out of it but I’ve switched to the prescribed meds for now.

This is the lotion I have to apply twice a day wearing gloves. Three people in the process checked that I had gloves and had to use them which I do and have.



The wash is hibiscrub which I’ve no idea what it is. Dilute in some of water, lather up, apply, wait ten then rinse off.

He’s only had one lot of everything and plodding about in his usual manner so no ill affects that I can see. Eating well and terrorising the Lab so business as usual.


bexVN

14,682 posts

217 months

Monday 27th January 2020
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Hibiscrub is an antibacterial wash. It is useful and frequently prescribed but do make sure it is quite dilute. It is quite harsh and can actually damage cells that help heal the skin esp if too strong. It should only be used short term.

Surolan is a very useful treatment for localised skin issues, I hope it makes a difference.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Monday 27th January 2020
quotequote all
bexVN said:
Hibiscrub is an antibacterial wash. It is useful and frequently prescribed but do make sure it is quite dilute. It is quite harsh and can actually damage cells that help heal the skin esp if too strong. It should only be used short term.

Surolan is a very useful treatment for localised skin issues, I hope it makes a difference.
Thanks Bex. Do appreciate your input.

The instructions are to dilute one teaspoon to 100ml if water which I did. I’m hopefully it’ll clear him up...he reacted well to the canaston and it’s looking better already. It looked red raw after being scaped but it flat and just pink on the outer edges where it’s was intense red.

I’ll keep updating it for no other reason someone else comes the thread when looking for skin conditions on french bulldogs.

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
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Glad to hear he is doing well, I see he has mastered the frenchie 'butter wouldn't melt' puppy eyes too, Rocco does the same biggrin

We got some of that Surolan stuff for his ears before and were told to use sparingly but weren't warned of using gloves! I didn't know it was also good for his skin issues so that's good to know.

I haven't heard of Hibiscrub so will look into that also.

I should really update my thread with the latest info we have for Roccos conditions too, its been a while since I did.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

207 months

Tuesday 4th February 2020
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Just to update this the treats have worked a treat. Skin is all back to smooth and soft. Just the skin colour is slowly returning back to pink.

I was due to take him back on Friday for a check but I could see how quickly the meds were working I spoke to the vet over the phone. A visit to the vet is so stressful for him that if I could save a visit I would.

I’m still waiting for the results from the scraping as they’ve been delayed for some reason. I’ll update again when I know those.

smile

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Thursday 6th February 2020
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Good news! Glad to hear it’s gone again, unfortunately ours wasn’t so lucky as he pretty regularly flairs up and no tests done so far have found what causes it.

What are you feeding him?

We just changed food again to wolfsblut duck from the vet concept horse kibble he’s been on, so will see if this helps at all, but not holding my breath as he’s been on various diets so far.