Rash on stomach-nothings working!

[bellarena]

About 3 months ago my 10yr old teacup yorkie suddenly got a red rash that quickly spread. I brought her to the vet and they put her on clavimox and atarax for itching she was biting herself raw. It didnt work so they added on prednisone. Still didnt work. I brought her to a vet dermatologist who gave me a diff. antibiotic and said she also had yeast. Also gave me cetaklor shampoo. Her rash got so bad I brought her in to my vet they gave her a shot that stopped the itching but the rash is still very bad and has pimples with pus(she called them pustules) now they have her on the 3 pills and antibiotic plus another spray vetericyn .Im so worried as to what to do. Now they're saying food allergies, shes been on the same food but I do give her chicken sometimes(and Ive read some posts saying it can cause rashes?) but this has never happened before. Has anyone had a similiar condition? Its hard to find another derm. there are so few near Tampa,Fl. but Im willing to drive anywhere. I hope someone can help Bella
Thanks!

[Wylie's Mom]

Stick with the vet derm, for now. What is the current antibiotic...is is Simplicef? Given it's a Vet Derm, it is hopefully that med - and they're usually on it for 1 full month.

Since food allergies are suspected, ask the Derm for a food at their office. Vet Derms carry very diff foods than regular vets - and it will be a very novel protein, which is good. Dogs can develop allergies (to food or other things, at any time).

Did the start of the symptoms coincide w/ anything else....food change, new treats, increased pollens in your area?

Did they do a skin scraping or fungal? What was the diagnosis? Was it something called 'pyoderma'?

[107barney]

I agree with Wylie's Mom to stick with the veterinary dermatologist. Please communicate with the derm regarding the shot that your vet gave. What was it? I am asking this because one time my former vet gave Barney as shot of Vetalog (steroid) for the same reason and all it did was complicate the skin infection and suppress his immune system making the staph infection more difficult to treat..

Stick with the derm and not the general vet on matters concerning the skin. Our dog Barney has had skin infections and has been treated successfully on 1 month of Simplecef antibiotics. Clavamox has never done anything but prolong staph infections in our dog.

[kalina82]

Sometimes dogs can develop allergies to something they've been getting for years so it could possibly be food related. I agree with Ann to stay with the Derm Vet. You need to work on this problem from the inside and outside. Baths are usually given every 3 days, and if she has long hair you might want to shave her down so the skin can breathe. You may discover that she has lesions elsewhere on her body. Make sure you follow the directions for the shampoo exactly. i tried to look up the shampoo you are using but couldn't find it by that name (wonder if you meant Ketochlor?). Also since she has a yeast infection do not use Oatmeal, that will just feed the yeast.

Stick with the Derm. If you want a second opinion look for referal groups, vet hospitals, and vet teaching schools. They usually have specialists.

[kalina82]

these were the only two Derms i could find within 50 miles of Tampa


Heather Willis-Goulet, DVM, DACVD Phone: 813 933-8944 Florida Veterinary Specialists
3000 Busch Lake Blvd.
Tampa FL, 33614 Hours:Wed thru Fri 9-5, Sat 9-2 Map Location www.f-v-s.com

Suzanne M. Cayatte Phone: 727 535-3600 Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists
1501 Belcher Road South, Suite 1A
Largo FL, 33771 Hours: Map Location

[bellarena]

Thanks Kalina for the info. Dr. Goulet is who I took her to and she didnt help at all-the meds made her worse. I called today and Im thinking of driving to Gainesville where they have a Vet. school and Univ. of Fla. Ive been told they are the best. Neither doctor even told me what they thought she has! The lab showed that the cephalexin was suppose to work with the staph infection she displayed but it didnt since its almost 3 months later! and shes on clavimox, zeniquen, atarax, prednisone and spraying her with gentaved stopped that and now its vetericyn VF-also shampoo her with ketaclor. Ive been reading about this other drug others have mentioned called simplecef? have you ever used this? I will try the tea tom. also
She hasnt been anywhere new, same food for 2 yrs from the vet Iams calorie rest. food-but I have given her white chicken in her food lately but have donethis her whole life so I did stop now in order to watch everything shes eating and doing. I just hope someone can figure this out Ive already spent about $2000 and nothing has helped yet!

[LoALAnna]

I am having an "itchy" problem with one of my babies, too. I googled "board certified vet allergists and dermatologists in FL" and up came several names and locations where you may be able to get help. I wish there were some vet derms in my neck of the woods! There aren't even any 24-hour emergency vets in my county, much less specialists!

[Bitsy]

I think going to the vet school is a good idea. I hope things get better really soon. Keep us posted....

[compassionRich]

hi - good idea to change to a new protein based food - i would go wet healthy food - barf or natural food. Also there is a excellent cream -called Apollo - natural cortisone - excellent for skin conditions!! natural is much better than anti b's. Also you can try support the immune system with some flaxseed oil into its food

[bellarena]

thanks I just got some prescription diet ZD canned foot that is suppose to be for food allergies, my vet had it. How much oil would you suggest for a 5lb yorkie? I trying the cham. tea as someone else mentioned no luck yet. Im going to another derm. next week since it hasnt gotten better. Thanks so much for the info.!

[ziggy925]

The vet school could very well be your best bet. I'm just thinking out loud, but since Yorkies are pretty low to the ground is it possible she is getting into something during her walks or maybe something in the house? I'm just thinking maybe it external and not internal.

[bellarena]

you are exactly right I thought of that she is very low to the ground. I cancelled my yard service so no chemicals are in the yard. Ive put a onsie on her when she goes out to protect her stomach-something funny...one day she ran out and I forgot to unsnap it and she pee-peed anyway I felt like I had a newborn on my hands! My vet gave me a allergen free can food from presc. diet to begin with her. I dont think its food related but Im trying everything. I have seen her in the past try to eat grass, or sprouts from the bird seed that fell, but she had never developed a rash from anything prior to this. I have an appt on the 27th with a 2nd dermatologist I found, after that if I dont get any results Ill have to go to the Univ. of Fla. Vet. clinics. I hope they figure this out soon(thats what Im asking santa for xmas

[Bentley1949]

I have had Bentley for almost 5 years and all of the sudden there is this horrible rash that came up and unfortunately I did not realize until Christmas eve day. Well, no vet to be had so I am asking if anyone has had what looks to be red circular scabs? I then witnessed his scratching and that is when I found the red bumps all over his stomach. So, no I am dealing with what I think are 2 totally different skin rashes. I will have him to the vet on Monday, but the scratching is getting out of control and I try to subside the scratching with just rubbing so it does not spread or tear the skin. I am heartbroken for his pain. Bentley has not left my side since I got him, so it is hard to watch as I feel his pain. I wondered about Aloe as it is everywhere (plant) in the Keys. Is that a natural way to fix this problem? Any suggestions to anyone that might know.

[bellarena]

I did rub aloe on her stomach it didnt seem to help but I dont think its toxic if she licks it-read some other posts someone wrote something about childrens benedryl working until you can get to the vet I dont know the dosage though I know what its like to watch them suffer! They may give a shot to alleviate the itching it helped for about a week but I still dont know what her rash is I go Mon. to another derm.
try reading some posts mentioning the benedryl hope it helps!

[ladyjane]

I have seen references to aloe being helpful, but since it is on the ASPCA list for toxic plants I personally would avoid it.
You might want to ask the new dermatologist about it.

ASPCA | Aloe