Licking & Irritation Around Tail
 

Hi! I haven't posted in a long time and am sorry that my post is a medical question & a graphic pic rather than positive updates and adorable pics of my dogs (which I will do soon!) Max has been licking around his anus for quite some time. I've been struggling finding anything wrong and he was at the vet last month for his annual check, in which everything came back perfect. He isn't scooting, he recently had his anal glands expressed and he has no other current health issues.

I was able to take a photo of the irritated area and found what you see in the attached photo. It doesn't wipe off and I don't believe it's flea related (no fleas last month). I just washed the area with antiparasitic and antiseborrheic medicated shampoo. Any other suggestions before visiting the vet? Could it be allergies? Max had some strange skin allergies about 2 years ago.
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Looks like possible staph infection. My Max had a couple similar spots on his undercarriage a few years ago, although his did not irritate him, which doesn't really mean much because skin stuff doesn't usually cause him to scratch or lick.

If it is staph, usually a round of Simplicef is prescribed and clears it up.

Is that area shaved? Could have been the result of razor burn. I accidentally gave a little razor burn to Max on his belly recently.

Thanks for your response. He was groomed 2 weeks ago and the groomer does keep that area short. I hadn't thought of staph infection. He hasn't bothered the area since i cleaned it. I'll keep an eye on him and bring him to the vet if it doesn't heel on it's own.

You could also try a little organic, cold-pressed coconut oil for a couple of days. Nutiva brand is good and available at The Vitamin Shoppe. Maybe GNC too.

Good to know. Thanks.

If it's localized staph, you could try a bit of anti-biotic ointment/cream...esp if you have some prescription ointment at home. If it's diffuse (all over body, here and there), then you'd def need/want Simplicef. For localized, my vet always used Muciprocin.

I would definitely try either Mupurocin or even Gentacyn if you have either. Or..any antitiobic ointment.
I am more inclined to think it is from the razor. Since it has been going on for a bit, I think it might have spread a bit more if staph. BUT, staph is a result of licking, scratching, biting, so it could still be that.

I have a prescription for Bactroban for myself. Katie was going to the vet for a checkup one day, I grabbed my tube to ask my vet if I could use it on Katie, just to prevent infection on a tiny surface wound she got that day. I asked him if he had something better to use, but he told me that what I had was good. I realized afterward that Bactroban is the same as Mupirocin. My prescription is Muprocin Calcium 2%. I hope Max gets better soon.

You are missed, Karen.

I only had some Neosporin which didn't seem to do anything. Also have hydrocortisone cream. I'll go to Walgreens today and pick up Mupirocin. I am not familiar with it. He's not as obsessed with licking today because he knows he shouldn't. I'm wondering if some kind of sport bandage can be used to wrap around his tail. I only have a soft e-collar which isn't helping. He's wearing a Puppy Bumper now but can probably still get to the area. He's so dramatic that he's completely frozen when I put anything on him.

Thanks, Lisa. I just posted at the same time as you so didn't first see your comment.:)

I think the only way you can get it is thru the vet, unforch. But I would def keep trying the antibiotic ointment you have at home...and the cortisone cream. Poor guy!

Yes, it is RX only. Karen, do you have medicated shampoo? You could just wash around that area with that ...
I am sure if you call your vet they will give you some mupurocin. I also keep Gentocin on hand for things like this. It's a spray and has antibiotic and steroid in it.... you do have to be careful though that they don't ingest it.

I just washed the area and checked more closely. The black center is definitely coming apart. It does look like it is getting better. I'll keep applying Neosporin, hyrodcortisone and the medicated shampoo and not allow him to go near the area. I'm glad nobody thinks its worse than it is.

I have a small pet pharmacy in my bathroom, but no creams. I'll be sure to call the vet tomorrow if another day doesn't help. It looks like it's breaking up and he's a little less obsessed.

That's great...glad it is looking better!

You might ask for both of those things next time you are there...just to add to your pharmacy! :D I have one of those as well.

Oh...another thing I love is chlorhexidine ... mix in water. Cannot think right now which one. I will find out and let you know. There are two. I have to get out of the house...but I have some here.. will look later .

I used the one on the right yesterday and just found these others now! The leave in cream might be nice to try.
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I love the one on the right. Ann had posted about it some time ago. they also have hot spot shampoo and conditioner...
gotta run...

I have a huge medicine cabinet, mostly first aid products for just in case, too. I used Chelated Colloidal Silver on Katie both for a terrible hot spot most likely caused by a spider bite near her mouth and her paw pad injury. In both cases she was under the care of my vet. I had purchased it prior to both of these from Nature's Farmacy. I can't say it was the silver spray that healed her mouth because she was on antibiotics for a few weeks, but my vet thinks it helped to dry it out. With the paw she was on Betagen Spray also. There are many colloidal silver sprays on Amazon.com that are cheaper, but I trust Nature's Farmacy. It's okay if they lick it, and it helped control Katie's biting of her foot. Chris Christensen makes a colloidal silver spray and gel called Peace and Kindness.

https://naturesfarmacy.com/store/pro...ed-silver-2oz/

This is from a company called EquiSilver, and it explains the difference between chelated colloidal silver and regular Colloidal Silver. They have some products using chelated silver also.

This is a link to their sprays.

EquiSilver Products

Chelated vs Colloidal?

Continuing our commitment to animal health, in 2008 we have changed the process of manufacturing our EquiSilver Veterinary products. Clinical and field testing has proven that our new exclusive patented Chelated Silver products are performing much as expected versus our previous colloidal silver products. The definition below will explain why we made change to chelated vs. colloidal process.

CHELATED

The word “chelated” refers to a substance consisting of molecules that bind tightly to metal atoms, thus forcing the metal atoms to go wherever the chelator goes. The bound pair — chelator plus metal atom — is called a “chelate”. Chelators are intended to carry atoms into the body, or into the cells themselves, in larger amounts than the body would normally allow. It is proposed that the chelators are treated as desirable molecules by the recognition systems in cell walls, and are therefore given entry into the cells. When this process occurs in the cells, EquiSilver gains entry to the bloodstream; when it occurs in the cells lining the blood vessels, this will also allow the EquiSilver gain entry to other body tissues.

COLLOIDS

Colloids are materials made up of solid particles of such small size that when
dispersed in water they remain in suspension rather than sinking. “Colloidal mineral” supplements consist of mineral salts or other mineral compounds converted into colloidal form, either by grinding or by rapid crystallization. Most colloidal substances are poorly bioavailable, since the colloidal particles, small as they are, are nevertheless far too large to be intestinally absorbed whole, and nearly all of the active ingredients are trapped in the interior of the particles, where they cannot come into contact with the transport channels in the cells. However, if a colloidal substance can dissolve into the cell, it would then release it’s particles for potential absorption.

About chelated colloidal silver.
Colloidal Silver for Pets - Raw Dog Food | Healthy Treats | Training | Dog Daycare

That's a lot of info Lisa! Thanks.

Max's tail looks so much better. Something is working. Glad to give him some relief.

Mupirocin (Bactroban) is Rx. After Sissy gets her butt trimmed she seems to have anal irritation. Sometimes it's just one little hair or the hair beginning to grow back and poking her that makes her crazy. Or it could be a little stool remaining there that's causing irritation or maybe she just likes her butt baby wiped:eek:

I used CC Colloidal Silver spray on Daras grooming boo boo. It was a razor burn that got itchey she scratched at it - and there we go an open wound. Every time it scabbed up out come the paws. I also used Neosporin and put a sock on her back paw,


The area is now scab free and I am waiting for the hair to grow back in.

The good news is that I'm not going to be rehoming Max due to his skin issue :rolleyes:

It also seems that the area on his tail has completely healed! However, he's still licking the area. He's always been a licker though. I'll keep an eye on the area. Thanks for everyone's input.

I am so glad to hear Max is well...

Now, back to cleaning up the monitor and keyboard here.......