So here we go again . .
It seems like since the day we brought home Marshall we have been battling the "itchies." Last time we went to the vet he had a skin scraping w/ a triple skin analysis and a cytology done. The skin scraping just ruled out the 3 parasites that she was testing for, but didn't tell us much else. She prescribed him Hydroxyzine and Clavamox, which he took for a good month, and it seemed to be helping because his itching went down significantly. Now that he has been off the meds for a month or so, he is back to itching. I didn't realize it was so bad until this morning. . .
A couple of days ago, Marshall was groomed. Because his hair on his face was so long before, I never noticed that he had all of these red scab-like bumps by his eye. I cannot tell if they are self-inflicted, or caused by something else, like a bug. I feel terrible because he keeps itching by his face. I also feel bad because I don't even know how long these bumps have been there. His hair used to cover it up, but now that it is out in the open it is all I can see.
Here is a pic just in case anyone has had a similar issue and can recognize it.
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Wow, now that I see the photo I can't believe I didn't notice this before.
I also wanted to mention something else that is really strange. Jimi keeps licking Marshall's face, by the scabs, incessantly. It is like he is trying to help clean/heal the wound. Should I discourage this? I thought they were just fighting before but one time I picked up Marshall and his face was soaking wet..
Not only does he have the bumps by his eye, but I think he also has an ear infection. His ears are very waxy and look red because he has been itching them. My vet warned me that because Marshall has such floppy ears that he will probably have them very often, so I should just keep the Panalog ointment and ear cleaner on hand and use it whenever necessary. I wonder if the ear infection is totally unrelated, or not?
Could it be allergies? What else could be causing this? I thought I could rule out allergies in the beginning because he was itching like this even in the middle of winter. I wouldn't think it would be a food allergy because he is only 7-8 months and he has been eating the same food his entire life.
Any suggestions or ideas as to what this could be? I feel terrible for him, but I might just be overreacting. My bf thinks that it is irritating me a lot more than it is even irritating him. Figures..
Marshall already has a vet appointment scheduled in a week or 2, for his yearly heartworm test, so should I just wait until we go in for that or should I bring him in sometime this week? Like I said, I don't think it is bothering him as much as it is bothering me.. but I just hate to see him itch.
Thanks guys. I always appreciate your input.
-Meg