Allergic hickie-looking spots?

[RMKC]

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

Lacy had those exact spots off and on her entire life - nothing ever worked to get rid of them - hers did not itch and they were not mites. Here in El Paso we don't have fleas (too hot and too dry) so it wasn't a reaction to any flea medication. They seem to come from the pores, sometimes I could pick them off, they were kind of like a tarry substance. The vet examined them under a microscope, still no diagnosis. I don't think I would worry too much as long as they were not itching. I know at first they thought it might be mites, but looked at them with a black light and said no. Prescribed various medicated shampoos and ointments also. I started to believe they were hormone related because she would have times when they weren't there.

You might be right, Rosi never had fleas exept when i first got her. Once in a while she has those spots on her lower tummy, but they never seem to bother her !

[chachi]

Originally Posted by shadream

I have been fighting with itchy skin since last may on my Charlie, this is long but may be well worth reading.

I have tried benadryl and steroids and food changes and additives and several other remedies anti itch sprays etc. I went to the vet a few weeks ago and was at my wits end he scratches his poor little nose till its brite red, I was talking to vet and he was suggesting allergy test at $275.00 and if we found that he had allergies we could start him on injections at $200.00 a vial that he would be on the rest of his life.... hmmm I asked him about scarcoptic mange (mites-scabies) and he told me he could scrape him for a week and not find them even though he could have them, because he probably only has 2 or 3 at most as though his hair is thin in spots, he still has hair and if he had more than 2 or 3 he would be balding after having it for more than 4 months. He told me that revolution kills mites, but it must be done over 3 applications, and the company suggests to kill the mites it must be given at 2 week intervals. The vet said that I would notice a difference right away with the first application, and that if he actually had mites, it would make him lethargic, kind a like a kid with a fever for a few days, as when the medication starts to kill the mites, the mites release a poison in the animal as they are dying. I gave him the first dose he was lethargic for 2 days and the itching has reduced by about 50% his next dose is due next week. If this does the trick the little guy will quit being his own worst enemy. He is very healthy otherwise, I hope this helps some other little itchy fella. I will post again with results as they occur. I am truly hoping this works, as the alternative at this point is allergy testing and shots probably for the rest of his life according to the vet. Not a pleasant thought.

Chachi had mite and he had to be dipped like 6 times in a real strong solution to get rid of the mites. He was put on revolution too but I think it was the dips that got rid of them

[amspoelstra]

Originally Posted by shadream

Gave Charlie second dose of revolution and he is worse than ever. called my vet and got an appointment with an allergy vet, for this friday. will post with update when I have one, guess not mites after all

I called my vet today too to get an appointment with an allergy vet. Trixie had a bad day today... Unfortunately my vet is out of town until next week so we have to wait...

[windsor'smom]

so sorry to hear of your babies problems. windsor had spots similar to this but they've gone away. i think they were from when i had him groomed and they shaved his belly too close. best of luck with clearing this up. carol

[shadream]

that your vet isn't available, I will post Friday and let you know what I find out if anything. I know how frustrated you are, as I am too. Hang in there.

Originally Posted by amspoelstra

I called my vet today too to get an appointment with an allergy vet. Trixie had a bad day today... Unfortunately my vet is out of town until next week so we have to wait...

[sashajade]

the spots look like what zac had, he had a reaction to frontline, he had always been fine with it but then this time he came out in red spots that drove him mad, i washed him in baby shampoo 4 times a day for about a week and he was then fine. also the browness to the skin is just from biting that area so that is why so many people on here have said there yorkie has brown spots, its a bit like age spots. also to the other person (sorry cant remember name) with the dog who has very bad skin and has tried all sorts and is now on mild steoroids, well my mums gsd had the same problem and it turned out to be her own immune system attacking her, she use to be so itchy she would bite her self untill she bled, after steroids she was a lot better but she had to take them her whole life and mum had to be careful what she put on her skin or fed her.

[shadream]

She told me that the blood/serum test is not reliable. She did a scraping on my Charlie's nose and found no mites but did find a great deal of bacteria. She said according to what she sees it is a food allergy, she put him on antibiotics
(100 mg simplicef) and for relief from itching, Hydroxine.
He is on a strict diet of rabbit and potato. She said he could improve in as little as one day or in the next couple of weeks, some take longer, up to 60 days but that if there is no improvement she wants to see him back in 30 days.
We will start adding foods one at a time when he improves and slowly illiminate what he is allergic to. She was very thorough, we were there for over 2 hours. I am to call her for instructions when he improves.
She also said that she has seen dogs have temporary improvement with a dose of revolution and then the 2nd dose does nothing or triggers a worse reaction, she said she can't explain this, only she has seen it a few times before.

I hope this helps you out there who are struggling with your babies' itching.
I figured up what the regular vet was going to charge me for a unreliable test and a office visit and honestly it came out to about the same amount. The regular vet said 250.00 for blood test and it would have been 35 for visit.
The allergy specialist charged me a total of 285.00 which included 2 medications and scraping for mites and diagnostic slides of nose (bacteria) and a 20 lb bag of special food and 24 cans of special food(bought so much because I have 4 dogs and its easier to feed them all the same) and the office visit, which was about 1 hr and 45 min longer than what I would have had at the regular vet.

Maybe I should have done this last May when this problem started, time will tell and I will keep u posted.

God Bless.

[amspoelstra]

Thanks for the information. Let us know how he's doing on his diet!

I'm surprised that the allergy vet said you can see results in as little as a week up to 60 days. My vet has always said to give food at least 3 mo. And frankly, she was a little upset when I switched food myself after 1,5 mo. because the itching was getting worse on that food.

I hope Charlie will feel better soon!!!

[shadream]

Originally Posted by amspoelstra

Thanks for the information. Let us know how he's doing on his diet!

I'm surprised that the allergy vet said you can see results in as little as a week up to 60 days. My vet has always said to give food at least 3 mo. And frankly, she was a little upset when I switched food myself after 1,5 mo. because the itching was getting worse on that food.

I hope Charlie will feel better soon!!!

I will keep u updated, and I hope you will do the same when you see your vet again, tommorrow will be the first day that Charlie will be strictly on the new diet, up till this evening I have been mixing the old food with the new so that my dogs won't have a reaction to the sudden change, I will say that they all like the new food so atleast them eating it won't be a problem, also the vet said if they really didn't like it that we would try something else.
I was surprised as well by how soon she said we could see a change, but really it makes sense, because it certainly shouldn't take more than a week or so for the body to clear out the allergy causing substance(given it is a food allergy). Atleast it would seem so to me.

Thankyou for your good wishies for Charlie, he sends doggie kisses your way !

[BabyFidgette]

Hey Val. I just noticed this thread. If Sully has allergies those spots could just be from his rough tongue licking his belly and privates. Baby and Zoie have spots that look the same, and the vet said it was nothing to worry about.

[amspoelstra]

Originally Posted by shadream

I will keep u updated, and I hope you will do the same when you see your vet again...

I got a call from my vet, and we discussed Trixie's situation again. Trixie's skin seems to get worse by the day. The vet referred me to an allergy vet. We're going in 2 weeks. I'm really hoping this will provide some clarity.

How is Charlie doing?

[shadream]

Originally Posted by amspoelstra

I got a call from my vet, and we discussed Trixie's situation again. Trixie's skin seems to get worse by the day. The vet referred me to an allergy vet. We're going in 2 weeks. I'm really hoping this will provide some clarity.

How is Charlie doing?

Charlie is scratching much less about 20% of what he use to do, am waiting for him to hopefully quit completely so I can call vet and try foods to see what he is allergic to.

Wow, still 2 weeks, thats a long time to watch your little one scratch. If you want to maybe you could try Dick Van Pattens food, the duck and potatoe, it might help. I heard if its something they never had before that they might do alright on it. Charlie had rabbit before but he seems to be doing ok.
I read on another thread about the duck and potatoe for allergies, but instead I was trying a couple of dozen other remedies. It might be worth a try.

Will keep you posted, and will keep you and Trixie in prayer.

[amspoelstra]

We've tried Duck and Potato already. She's been on Eukanuba Vet Diet (allergy) - fish, Royal Canine Vet (allergy) - Duck and Potato and Natural Balance=Dick vanPatten (allergy) - Venison/Brown Rice and now Fish/Sweet Potato. All about 3 months with no improvement...

[shadream]

Originally Posted by amspoelstra

We've tried Duck and Potato already. She's been on Eukanuba Vet Diet (allergy) - fish, Royal Canine Vet (allergy) - Duck and Potato and Natural Balance=Dick vanPatten (allergy) - Venison/Brown Rice and now Fish/Sweet Potato. All about 3 months with no improvement...

Wow, you've tried it all too. I know how frustrated you are. the food charlie is on is rabbit and potatoe by vet script by Royal Canine. I will let you know if I hear of anything else that might help. I'm not really sure if it is the food that is helping or the medication, guess we'll find out eventually.

[RMKC]

Originally Posted by amspoelstra

I got a call from my vet, and we discussed Trixie's situation again. Trixie's skin seems to get worse by the day. The vet referred me to an allergy vet. We're going in 2 weeks. I'm really hoping this will provide some clarity.

How is Charlie doing?

Gee girl i hope you find out soon whats ailing Trixie, poor Baby, she must feel misserable ! They cant get her in sooner??