Recurring skin condition - Allergies?

[Trace1]

My mother and I have four pet-sized Yorkshire Terriers, one (Sumomo) of which is the daughter of two others (Thor and Lilly).

About 9 months ago, Thor (father - 15 lb.) and Sumomo (daughter - 12 lb.) developed strange scabby rash-like lesions on their chest and stomach areas. I was located in another town during this time, so my mother was attending to all of the dogs. I'm fairly sure that she wasn't batheing them as often as she should have because during my monthly visits, the dogs' coats would look unusually greasy.

At first, my mother treated them with a mange treatment, and she told me that it was actually clearing up the marks. Everytime, though, they would come back. Finally, I took Sumomo, who was in worse condition, to the vet, and he proscribed a few pills and a shampoo, which only worsened the lesions. About a month later, I took both Thor and Sumomo to a Banfield vet, and she gave them a steroid shot and put them on other medications, treating them for ALLERGIES. I also switched over to a no-soap shampoo (GRREAT CHOICE OATMEAL SHAMPOO). The skin issues dissappeared for about 3 weeks, but then steadily began to pop up again. Finally, 5 weeks after their initial visit with the Banfield vet, I took both father and daughter back, and she confirmed her suspicions that it was some type of staff infection from an allergic reaction. Thor now has very bad scabby marks on his back, and Sumomo has a few reddish rash-like ones on her stomach (The vet said they had to be caused by the same allergy that both father and daughter had, though).

I will not shorten their lives by giving them a regular steroid injection, but I want to relieve them of any suffering they may have from the skin issues. They don't seem to itch very much now and don't show signs of pain from the marks, but I want to them to be happy and healthy.

Here's a picture of one of Sumomo's marks: http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/4052/1031668.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I was wondering if anyone else had had similar issues with their yorkies, and if they discovered anything that helped relieve the infections or even discovered what it was that their yorkie was allergic to. Also, if they found that a transition to hypoallergenic dog food was worth the huge price tag attached to it.

Please please please... if anyone could offer any advice, stories, hypotheses, ANYTHING -- it would be much appreciated.

Blessed be.

[Wylie's Mom]

First, welcome to YT !

The pic does look an awful lot like pyoderma (staph intermedius). Most Vet Dermatologists treat staph with Simplicef x 3 weeks (or 4 weeks). Other antibiotics often do nothing for pyoderma...and you end up medicating them again and again, to little avail. Do they itch in those red areas, btw, or can they not reach them? Do they itch anywhere else (ears, armpits etc)?

It sounds like these symptoms developed around late winter/early spring - when pollens may have been starting in your area. It's a little odd though, that allergies would start for both of them at the same time. So, that coincidence does make one wonder if this is something contagious.

I can tell you from experience that when things recur w/ the skin like this, it is SO helpful to see a Vet Dermatologist - they can probably diagnose this after 1 visit, as skin is their specialty. If it is pyoderma, it's secondary to something else (ie, allergies, or an illness of some kind)...and a vet derm is the best qualified person to walk you thru dealing with where to go from here .

[chachi]

When my dog had a skin condition that the vet first thought was allergies it ended up being mange and he had to have many dips to get rid of it. Has your vet did a skin scrape? The only med I know that works for mange is ivermectin.

[Trace1]

Yes, we had a skin scrape. The condition occurred right after my aunt came to visit with her dogs, so when my mother researched it, she assumed it was mange. She ordered medicine and treated them for it, and everytime it would begin to go away, but it would continuously return whenever we would stop the application of the medication.

But when we went to the vet, he said that there it was not mange. I truly just don't know what to do at this point.

[ladyjane]

As someone else said, it looks like a staph infection. Often those are caused by dogs scratching....and usually allergic dogs. I have a pup who has had staph infections over the years whenever the allergies flaired up.
Antibiotics are the only thing that will cure that.
As for the allergies, I would consult with a vet who specializes in allergies and skin conditions.
I did testing on my pup and know what he is allergic to and do my best to avoid him having contact with those things. I tried allergy injections, but they did not help much. I do know people who have had great success with them.
He has been on Temeril P for a couple of years now without any problems. It does have a small dose of steroid in it. There is also Atopica that many people use. You just need to do a consult with a vet.

[bellarena]

Hi
I was wondering if you were able to finally get an answer on how to cure the rash? Im so glad you posted the picture it looks like what Bella has on her stomach-I just posted my question about this today-her rash is much worse than yours looks. Shes on so many pills and sprays Im so worried. I live in Tampa and theres only 1 dermatologist and she didnt help at ll!

[yorkiesincommon]

I have a 16 1/2 yr. old yorkie who is sensitive to everything and the only way I can keep his skin in good condition is using a product shampoo called "Tarific" Skin Relief Shampoo by PPP Professional Pet Products. I buy it by the gallon. I mix it with 50% baby shampoo, 25% water and 25% concentrated Tariffic. I have never used any other product that is this effective. Not even the oatmeal stuff. You need to find a vet who will take cultures of the skin that way they can send it off and get REAL results on what might be the problem. Good Luck

[107barney]

I once again completely agree with Wylie's Mom and with LadyJane that you need to see a dermatologist who has extensive training and experience in matters concerning the skin. My dog Daisy has severe allergies and food intolerances and is successfully managed on Atopica. My dog Barney has seasonal environmental allergies and sometimes gets staph infections which we have been able to treat successfully with a medication called Simplecef for a 3-4 week treatment.

I have found that other antibiotics, shots of steroids, and other random treatments do nothing to solve the problem and in fact complicate the problem.

[kjc]

Coconut oil applied topically and a bit added to the food... great for skin ailments... in addition to seeing a vet dermatologist.