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09-24-2015, 03:54 PM | #1 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: New Yok, NY
Posts: 723
| Need to go to Vet or am I overreacting Hi All, You have all been a wealth of knowledge and I hope for some calming info. I may be over-reacting for being a first time pet owner. But a friend mentioned I need to get a second opinion ASAP for Boomer. (Probably listening to too many people) My friend is worried since I don't know the history of Boomer it could be something more serious. Rescue Group took Boomer to Vet when they found him and vet there also didn't notice anything. They did lab work according to Vet Bill for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. Went to vet this past weekend and he noticed black smooth spots on his lower belly and hind legs. Vet felt it could be an allergy but didn't seem concerned. He did no blood work. It was just a wellness check to establish him with a vet. I didn't think to ask for blood work to be done. I figured if he felt there was something serious he would recommend it. Vet mentioned for a rescue he was in great shape and didn't see any fleas or ticks on him. Vet just said to keep an eye on it and come back if it gets worse or he is scratching and biting. I don't think it is getting worse. I think I am just paying more attention to it. Its not that I don't want to take him back to the Vet if needed. Its just that I enrolled him in Pet Insurance which takes effect Oct. 15 and if there is something before it will be a pre-existing condition and not covered. I am trying to watch my funds and don't want to over react for something that is a nonissue. I tend to be a worry wart if you haven't already noticed with my other posts. LOL (I hope this makes sense) I am in the process of changing his food over to lamb and rice b/c I felt it may be do to the chicken he was on. The trainer at Petco also made that suggestion when I showed her Boomer. She concurred it may be an allergy. Boomer scratches and bites moderately. Stops as soon as I tell him to. No scabs or missing hair. If it is something that needs to be taken care of ASAP I will but I wanted your opinions (I know you are not experts but have way more knowledge than me) As I have spent the last 20 minutes typing this post he has not once scratched or bitten himself. He is sleeping right now next to me. I am uploading pics for reference. |
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09-24-2015, 04:36 PM | #2 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| I would be bothered that the vet wasn't concerned. There is definitely something going on to cause Boomer's belly to blacken like that. It can be many things. The spots -- my Max had a couple on his undercarriage. Antibiotics cleared them. They did return and he had another round of antibiotics. Could have been a staph infection, but also may have been an allergy to a specific type of grass at the park we were visiting. Could be allergies, infection, thyroid (usually hypothyroidism), yeast overgrowth, reaction to mites, or something else. I would have a dermatologist take a look.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
09-24-2015, 04:43 PM | #3 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: prescott valley az usa
Posts: 1,232
| To me if the vet wasn't freaking out I wouldn't worry. When our golden retriever was fixed he had a similar look and he was not a new puppy but about 6 years old. However, get some more advice from those that have had yorkies for longer than I have. |
09-24-2015, 05:16 PM | #4 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: New Yok, NY
Posts: 723
| I must be crazy because I went on Ask A Vet Online and paid $20.00 sent her pics and she asked some more detailed questions and felt he probably has had it for a while and it is not an emergency. She did mention allergies, yeast infection, and cushings disease (which is the one that scares me) She said as long as he is acting normal and the redness doesn't get worse (i.e. it stays only on his lower belly) I can wait for my next appt. and demand they do a full work up. He is actually the more active one of my two yorkies. I may also ask to see a different Vet in the practice. I didn't particularly care for the Vet's bedside manner. I am going to try an oatmeal bath and some Omega 3/Fish Oils this weekend and see how that goes. I don't know how 1st time moms with kids do it. I am getting my own anxiety just with dogs. |
09-24-2015, 05:19 PM | #5 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCA
Posts: 1,895
| My Zoey had some little black spots on her belly. I soaked a QTip in baby oil and rubbed the spot. The Tip turned dirty. I had washed the area and they didn't go away but the oil worked. You might give it a try. She did not have fleas or any parasites.
__________________ RIP my darling little Gina |
09-24-2015, 07:47 PM | #6 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,956
| Quote:
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog | |
09-25-2015, 07:01 PM | #7 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Quote:
I will second guess anyone and everyone that I do not have 110% faith and trust in what they say. People that are knowledgeable in specific areas MUST get their hands and eyes and ears on exactly what I am seeing in my dog....people that I have put my faith and trust in, to make the correct diagnosis and treatment plan....and when you have a qualified specialist that tells you a diagnosis, at some point you will have to put your faith and trust in the qualified person and let it go....or you will loose your mind! I believe deep down, you do not have complete faith in your vet, for whatever reason....maybe valid, maybe not, but you have a nagging little thorn of doubt, and you are trying to get reassurance and comfort and even a diagnosis from anyone that will be willing to look at a picture and "diagnosis" what THEY think they are seeing.... And now, you have even jumped on the Change-The-Dogfood Merry-Go-Round, based on nothing but a guess and a supposition by a pet food sales person. Quite frankly, it looks like he has a dirty tummy to me....and someone said something about baby oil rubbed on a spot and it came off...that is not an accurate picture of a food allergy.....that is a dirty tummy on a previously neglected dog that has been rescued from a neglectful situation. I would start rubbing that babys tummy with baby oil and a wash cloth, and see if that actually is just ground in dirt that will come off with daily maintenance. For your OWN piece of mind, you need to have PROFESSIONAL, SPECIALIZED eyes on this tummy issue that is driving you nuts. THAT is worth the money it is going to cost you for peace of mind. Take this baby to a specialist, a dermatologist, and get a professional, knowledgeable diagnosis, for your own peace of mind. Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 09-25-2015 at 07:03 PM. | |
09-25-2015, 09:12 PM | #8 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Leon, Iowa USA
Posts: 474
| I have to agree. Could be wrong but sure worth a try. Quote:
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09-26-2015, 04:08 AM | #9 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | I totally understand why you're worrying and wondering - I'm the exact same way about anything that looks wrong. First, I wouldn't tell him "no" when he's scratching and biting bc he's uncomfortable and trying to relieve it. Just like when you have an itch, you need to scratch it for relief. So, let him relieve his discomfort. Second, this is *exactly* what my Wylie's tummy looks like - same exact appearance. This can happen from chronic skin issues / chronic inflamed skin on the tummy area...also happens w/ thinner skin on tummies. As a side note, it's also interesting to know that Wylie has Cushings (specifically, Atypical Cushings) - so this can also wreak havoc w/ the skin in general. Does this kiddo have any other weird/random/seemingly unrelated symptoms like...excess hunger, excess drinking and peeing, hair loss, pot belly, lethargy, heat intolerance, hind leg weakness (noticeable upon attempts at jumping), chronic skin or ear infections....just anything? Bc Cushings symptoms are very diffuse and so it's tough for some Vets to recognize the random symptoms... Cushings overview: Cushings (Hyperadrenocorticism) Btw, since you're waiting for insurance coverage --> IF you suspect Cushings, I would WAIT to get anything looked into for Cushings as it is a VERY expensive disease to deal with life long. It can absolutely wait 15 days.
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
09-26-2015, 11:02 AM | #10 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Quote:
In that 15 day period, keep gently rubbing baby oil on that tummy with a wash cloth for some abrasive effect, and see if there is any improvement. If there is no improvement in 15 days, go to a dermatologist specialist and get a professional diagnosis from a professional that is actually hands and eyes on the issue! It will be worth the $$$$ for your peace of mind! | |
09-27-2015, 03:20 AM | #11 | |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Quote:
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° | |
09-27-2015, 03:36 AM | #12 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,956
| JMO, if it was dirty tummy (as that is what it looks like to me) wouldn't her vet have told her this? But cleaning with baby oil will not harm the dog and it's worth a shot. Embedded dirt is a cheaper to clear up then a derm visit. Hoping that is what it is. These little guys have so many changes in their lives right now.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog |
09-27-2015, 08:24 AM | #13 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas
Posts: 664
| My daughter's pup has this issue. He has black "spots" / "rash" over his belly area. He has been to several specialists - internal and dermatologists. They have all told her not to worry about it. I'm certainly not saying it's the same as this pup, but if your vet has seen it and told you not to worry, and you trust you vet, I don't think waiting until October 15 is going to hurt unless you notice a change in it before then. Common sense prevails in a case like this. If it's not bugging him to death by scratching or biting, if it doesn't smell bad or is not "oozing or weaping", bleeding or inflamed, I would wait until the insurance is in full effect. Just my 2 cents! Good luck! |
09-27-2015, 08:29 AM | #14 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: New Yok, NY
Posts: 723
| Quote:
Just like now Thumper (Boomer's brother) is constantly licking and slightly biting his right paw for the past two days. I think I am going to bring the both of them in and ask for allergy testing. | |
09-27-2015, 08:50 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas
Posts: 664
| Well, she has 3 Yorkie pups and I have 3 also - this black tummy is certainly not normal...that is why she has been to get advice from so many! BUT, they have all told her not to worry! She uses medicated shampoo and he is on a special diet - neither of which have helped! It does not seem to bother him - it's just awful looking - and it looks a lot worse than your little guys! I think it is a good idea to take them both in when your insurance is good, just in case it is something that can be treated. Please post after you do, I'm curious to hear what they tell you! |
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