AmyD
10-19-2009, 02:22 PM
Hi, Doc! I hope you remember me...my pups Max (25 lb. beagle mix, 7 yrs. old) and Chelsy (40 lb. unknown mix, 15 1/2 yrs. old) used to be your patients until we moved to TN in 2006.
I am trying to find some relief for poor Max's skin condition. I have tried what feels like everything, other than allergy testing, which I am not ruling out at this point.
Age 1 - began licking/chewing feet until raw. Frequent ear infections up until the last year or so...no clue why they are coming on less often, but not complaining. Currently, he still licks/chews his feet and the itch has spread to his basically his entire body. His back has little red bumps that he scratches at until they bleed/scab, and he has rubbed the hair off in a couple of spots on his back by scratching against our box spring. His belly and hind legs are also covered in bright red bumps, some I can tell have puss in them so that suggests to me infection. He just came off a week of Cephalexin about a month ago...skin scrape revealed it had cleared up infection, but given the puss I see on his belly bumps now, I am guessing it is back already.
Things we've tried over the last 5 years or so-
Benadryl - he gets 50 mg at night, sometimes also in morning if he seems more itchy than normal (doesn't seem to make a difference)
Several 6 mos. or more trials of simple protein/carb dry foods. On Natural Balance Duck and Potato dry for at least the last couple years.
Steroid + antibiotic + anti-itch/anxiety meds - this at least seemed to offer some relief and his feet cleared the most they ever have. Also, it's the only time I recall since this began I could rub his back w/out him cringing. At the end of the treatment though, all of his symptoms returned. He also gained weight on the steroids.
Cortaid cream for his itchy back. It seems to help initially, but then it just goes back to itching even when the cream is applied.
I have clearned the bumps on his tummy successfully before w/ Neosporin, but again, they clear up and come right back once the treatment stops.
Fish oil. - No real change.
Stopped giving him raw carrots in case these were allergens
Malaseb shampoo. Seemed to make his feet better somewhat, but the rest of him even more itchy than before.
Oatmeal shampoo. Seems more itchy after any kind of bath really.
Some kind of yucca root liquid stuff that was supposed to do wonders for dry dog skin - no change
Socks on his feet to keep him from licking...worked to some degree, but not easy to keep them on him and doesn't address his full body itch.
Lamp shade collar to keep him from biting at himself. Both pitiful to see, and not effective as he can pop the snaps off. Also cannot leave him unattended b/c he gets his dewclaw caught in the snap holes.
What have I missed? I am told that his options are to (a) see a doggie dermatologist or (b) do the steroids again. I am sure the steroids will bring relief, but if history is an indication, it won't last. How can I make him well for good? What questions should I be asking?
Thanks very much for any help you can give,
Amy
I am trying to find some relief for poor Max's skin condition. I have tried what feels like everything, other than allergy testing, which I am not ruling out at this point.
Age 1 - began licking/chewing feet until raw. Frequent ear infections up until the last year or so...no clue why they are coming on less often, but not complaining. Currently, he still licks/chews his feet and the itch has spread to his basically his entire body. His back has little red bumps that he scratches at until they bleed/scab, and he has rubbed the hair off in a couple of spots on his back by scratching against our box spring. His belly and hind legs are also covered in bright red bumps, some I can tell have puss in them so that suggests to me infection. He just came off a week of Cephalexin about a month ago...skin scrape revealed it had cleared up infection, but given the puss I see on his belly bumps now, I am guessing it is back already.
Things we've tried over the last 5 years or so-
Benadryl - he gets 50 mg at night, sometimes also in morning if he seems more itchy than normal (doesn't seem to make a difference)
Several 6 mos. or more trials of simple protein/carb dry foods. On Natural Balance Duck and Potato dry for at least the last couple years.
Steroid + antibiotic + anti-itch/anxiety meds - this at least seemed to offer some relief and his feet cleared the most they ever have. Also, it's the only time I recall since this began I could rub his back w/out him cringing. At the end of the treatment though, all of his symptoms returned. He also gained weight on the steroids.
Cortaid cream for his itchy back. It seems to help initially, but then it just goes back to itching even when the cream is applied.
I have clearned the bumps on his tummy successfully before w/ Neosporin, but again, they clear up and come right back once the treatment stops.
Fish oil. - No real change.
Stopped giving him raw carrots in case these were allergens
Malaseb shampoo. Seemed to make his feet better somewhat, but the rest of him even more itchy than before.
Oatmeal shampoo. Seems more itchy after any kind of bath really.
Some kind of yucca root liquid stuff that was supposed to do wonders for dry dog skin - no change
Socks on his feet to keep him from licking...worked to some degree, but not easy to keep them on him and doesn't address his full body itch.
Lamp shade collar to keep him from biting at himself. Both pitiful to see, and not effective as he can pop the snaps off. Also cannot leave him unattended b/c he gets his dewclaw caught in the snap holes.
What have I missed? I am told that his options are to (a) see a doggie dermatologist or (b) do the steroids again. I am sure the steroids will bring relief, but if history is an indication, it won't last. How can I make him well for good? What questions should I be asking?
Thanks very much for any help you can give,
Amy