Quote:
Originally Posted by aweitzm1  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. |
You are going to go slap dab crazy, trying to diagnosis, or have unqualified friends/posters on a computer site, people that work at pet food stores, etc, diagnosing something on your pup!!! You are going to loose your mind!!
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.