Skin Issue (Constant Licking and Scratching)
 

Hello Everyone,

My 5 year old Yorkie is currently experiencing skin issues. It all started earlier this year as frequent paw licking, which turned into nonstop paw licking and scratching of the sides of his body. It got to a point where his paws were very red and swollen. They looked raw. He licked his sides so much that he eventually had sores on his body. Then, over night, he was covered in small red bumps. He's been to the vet on multiple occasions and was given antibiotics and steroids. In addition, I've tried over the counter medicine (e.g., benadryl, claritin, zyrtec, etc), medicated wipes for his paws, different foods and shampoos. I've tried everything I know to try, but the bumps continue to return when he discontinues the steroids. I even had an allergy test (Heska) performed, and the results did not show anything that would lead the vet to believe he is allergic to anything. So, I am at a loss. I know it isn't flea related because he was checked for fleas and doesn't have them. Also, the allergy test showed he is not allergic to flea saliva. The vet believes it may be some type of nervous reaction to separation anxiety and boarding. I find it a little hard to believe. While he does not like being boarded or separated from me, he has never had this probem in 5 years. Plus, it is an ongoing skin issue.

The condition sounds very similar to a previous thread at "http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...g-licking.html." The bumps also look the same as the images in that thread. Does anyone know what happened with this particular case? I'm just reaching for anything I can. I hate he is miserable, but I do not know what else to do to help. Skin issues are so hard to address. I don't want to treat the symptoms. I want to treat the cause.

Any advice is appreciated.

Regards,
A Sad Mom

Welcome to YorkieTalk. I am very sorry that your boy is experiencing these problems and I pray he can get some relief soon.

I would take him to a dermatologist. Specialists have done wonders for many dogs here with derm issues.

We are now trying my Westie (well known for their itchy skin and various skin problems) on a low dose of Prednisone for at least two and possibly 3 months.

His is more seasonal in nature - summer/fall. I'm reluctant to keep him on steriods for that length of time; but we'll see how it goes.

Allergies can develop or worsen later in life.

Could it be food related?

I sure how you can get to the bottom of it.

Thank you. I will be making an appointment with a dermatologist tomorrow. Hopefully, he can be seen soon.

I don't think it's food related since the allergy test results did not show he is allergic to any foods. The vet mentioned something about it not being considered an allergy if the EA units were not over 100 or 150. The highest for any food was around 30 so there were no foods with high enough scores to be considered an allergy.

This is good news and I think you will be happy.

I have read here from sources I trust that food allergy tests are unreliable and that only elimination diets are truly effective in determining food allergies.

I can imagine you are frustrated from all of the time and money you have invested in trying to solve your boy's problems. Hang in there and see the dermatologist.

Thank you all for the support!

Yep, I would go to the derm. Good luck and please let us know how you make out! :)

I'm sorry your baby is going thru this. I have an itchy yorkie, too, and have an appointment to see the derm.
I have been researching this this at length, and it seems like one of the things to do is have your dog tested for thyroid and yeast. I'm hoping the vet derm we are to see suggests this, or I WILL. Eliminations diets are the ONLY way to check if there is a food allergy.
Good luck!

I just wanted to post an update for all who may be experiencing something similar with their Yorkie. He went to the dermatologist yesterday and was diagnosed with Pyoderma, which is a bacterial infection of the skin. He was prescribed Cefpodoxime liquid as an antibiotic and Zymox as a shampoo. The dermatologist suspects he has both food and environmental allergies. So, his diet was changed from the Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier dry food to the Royal Canin Venison and Potato dry and canned food. In addition, to control the itch, he's on Benadryl daily (1/2 a 25 mg tablet twice a day). Now, we wait and see if he completely clears up in the upcoming weeks. I will say he looks better after just shampooing him, and he doesn't appear to be scratching as much after only 1 day. I am so happy I took him to the dermatologist. I am confident things will be back to normal for him.

Also, I almost forgot...the dermatologist stated blood tests are not good for determining whether or not a food allergy exists. The only way to determine such is by changing one's diet.

Now, I believe that covers everything.

Thank you all for your concern and kind words. I appreciate it. Hopefully, this helps someone else.

Thanks for the update! Happy to hear that things seem to be going well with the treatment plan.

I have a similar issue with my yorkie. Crash started just being itchy on his back and hind legs but it seems to have worsened and he now itches everywhere. I was happy to see that I can maybe get an answer from a dermatologist. The only relief I have ever gotten for him was predniisone but as soon as the treatment is over the itching is back. The prednisone is soooo expensive and not that good for long term so I hope to find him a more permanent solution.