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10-06-2012, 01:07 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| Skin problem - should we shave? So, Snoopy has had a skin rash/infection/problem for some time now. Three months ago, we took him to the vet, since it was time for his vaccination, and told the vet that his fur is very brittle and he has some yellowish scabs (around the scabs there is almost no hair at all). To test the brittleness, the vet pulled like two little hairs and a bunch came out without any effort at all He gave us an aseptic shampoo and told us to give him a bath from 4 to 4 days in the first month and then week after week in the second month. It's already been a month and a half and nothing has gotten better. We have done exactly as the vet has told us and I think it has gotten even worse. It doesn't help that Snoopy is always biting and scratching the scabs. But I had a theory and tested it out yesterday, since it was bath day. We started out bathing the dog and used the aseptic shampoo. Before my girlfriend cleaned the shampoo off the hair, I just picked up some of the hair and gently pulled them up to see if the shampoo had reached the skin. It hadn't. His fur is so thick, ridiculously thick and very, well it isn't even cottony, and the shampoo doesn't reach the skin whatsoever. I recommended getting the dog shaved since his treatment isn't working with long fur. My girlfriend doesn't what do it and doesn't want to go to the vet either. She wants to go through all of the treatment and then if it doesn't work, just try to groom him normally to see if they go away. What should we do? |
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10-06-2012, 06:02 AM | #2 |
and Shelby's too Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Millbrook, AL
Posts: 7,842
| I don't know if shaving is the answer or not, but I would definitely go back to the vet if it has been a month and a half and nothing is better (and maybe worse). This problem sounds more complex than a shampoo remedy, in my NON-expert opinion. Hope Snoopy is better soon! Poor little guy!
__________________ Terri, proud mom to Mandie & Shelby-Dale |
10-06-2012, 07:31 AM | #3 |
Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida
Posts: 8,799
| No other meds,just shampoo? I'd get a second opinion for sure. I don't know about shaving him down, but ask the new vet. Your baby is suffering and needs a resolution sooner rather than later.
__________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna |
10-07-2012, 03:15 PM | #5 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Skin and coat issues are the most common place things start to go to hell in a handbasket, when there is ANY imbalance in the physical/emotional composition of the pup. Rather than trying to "shotgun guess" at a list that could include actually hundreds and hundreds of things on it, to guess what the problem could possibly be, if I had a dog with skin and coat issues, especially with constant itching/scratching and sores on their body, I would be off to a vet dermatologist....or a vet school. These babies are absolutely miserable enduring all this, and like the poster above said, the baby needs relief sooner rather than later. But to answer your question about shaving....I would say YES...the shampoo must reach the skin and hair follicle to do what it is supposed to do...if it isnt reaching the skin, you are wasting your time....in my opinion..... Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 10-07-2012 at 03:17 PM. |
10-07-2012, 04:15 PM | #6 |
YT 2000 Club Member | If you can go see a dog dermatologist go see him. He will do skin tests to determine what if any allergies are present. My little dog was allergic to the food I was giving her. I swistched to a venison based food and she cleared up. I do hope you are feeding a real nutritious food. Check the ingredients. Watch anything else you give for food. Next shampoo. I use Hy-lyte I get from the vet. The is hypo-allergenic. Works well. Watch what you wash the blankets she sleeps on. All this could cause an allergy. I hope you have a happy healthy dog soon! Sandy |
10-07-2012, 06:42 PM | #7 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY
Posts: 6,582
| It sounds like your vet did not even diagnose the problem. He just handed you a shampoo and hoped it would work. It is true that skin issues can be caused by many things. If the dog had no fleas then that would rule out a flea allergy. Flea allergies can be very serious to the point that even one flea can cause a horrible reaction. I don't understand how a Yorkie could have fur so thick that the shampoo did not reach the skin. Shampoo mixed with water goes to the skin eventually if you are bathing properly. But shampoo is just a topical treatment. If the condition is being caused by a food ingredient then a topical treatment is not going to relieve the dog's suffering. If you cannot get to a specialist at least find a vet that will spend some time trying to help the poor dog with something other than a shampoo. |
10-08-2012, 09:15 AM | #8 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| The problem is that dog dermatologists are not common here in Portugal, so the vet is the only way to go. He did say for Snoopy to start eating Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier 28, since that food has components suited for skin and hair development. So that's what Snoopy is being fed. Before, he ate Pedigree for small breedsa and before, Royal Canin YT28 again. He also eats wet food from a general brand and he loves it, so I don't think it's that. When it comes to fleas and ticks, I don't really know because he sleeps with my girlfriend (beneath the sheets) and is always with her parents on a couch that doesn't seem to have been cleaned since they got it. I told her to go to the vet so we can find a way this can be resolved, but monetary problems for both of us have hindered that possibility. Last edited by zooropean; 10-08-2012 at 09:16 AM. Reason: Lack of info |
10-08-2012, 10:41 AM | #9 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY
Posts: 6,582
| Well, fleas are pretty prevalent in most areas with a warm climate. If the dog ever goes outside it would be bound to pick up fleas. Once they bring them inside they start to reproduce so it gets harder to rid the dog of them. Do they sell topical flea preventatives like Advantage II there? You could also add a supplement that has omega3's in it to help the skin to heal. Try buying a flea comb. It will help pick up any unwanted pests that he may be carrying. Many times you do not see the fleas because they are down at the skin level. They can cause some bad skin issues though. |
10-08-2012, 01:52 PM | #10 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| No info on whether Advantage II is sold here, but he uses Advantix from the same manufacturer Bayer, although he gets really itchy and starts rubbing along the mats. I'll certainly be on the lookout for a flea comb, thank you. |
10-09-2012, 01:26 PM | #11 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | I'm really not sure that shaving is the best idea...it could be itchy for him, irritating, and if there are scabs/bacteria it could break open the scabs and spread bacteria either way. I'm sure a skin smear was done and/or a culture - -what was the result? Until you know the cause of these scabs and skin issues and fur issues, there is no way to treat him . It'd be really important to check his thyroid, has that been done? Are there ANY other symptoms, even random unrelated ones?
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
10-24-2012, 01:39 AM | #12 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| No exact medical evaluation was made, only that he had the scabs and to try the shampoo. The shampoo didn't work so off to the vet we go. One thing I noticed is that the dog rubs along the couch so many times and my girlfriends family doesn't seem to notice it beacuse he's done that since he's been with them. |
10-24-2012, 02:32 AM | #13 |
♥ Piccolo & Vivi ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky
Posts: 14,311
| Like others, I recommend going to a vet dermatologist, since this has been going on for awhile and not getting better.
__________________ Lisa, Dixie, and Jazzy (RIP Piccolo and Vivi) |
10-24-2012, 02:34 AM | #14 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY
Posts: 6,582
| There are many dogs suffering from allergies due to various ingredients in dog foods. Even the famous brands can cause allergies. It sounds like he certainly is itchy. The vet is just guessing if there did nothing done to determine the cause of the problem. An all natural shampoo might be more soothing to his skin at this point. Many of the medicated shampoos have some harsh chemicals in them. |
10-24-2012, 04:02 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member | I would go on the Internet and see if there is any vet dermatologists. If not I would call around and see if there is a vet in the area that has a little more expertise with dermatology. Good luck and keep us updated |
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