SKIN Problems for 3 years - Please Help

[Chilly Mom]

Chilly did not have problems his first year but now I don't know what to do and am considering taking him to a Vet that specializes in dermatology or a Holistic Vet? What do you think would be better? Chilly breaks out with red spots on his belly/trunk through out the year, it can be anywhere from 2 months or 6 months, there is no set time of year this happens it happens year round, along with the red spots, dry flaky spots/red pimples his body gets very very hot. He also gets red and irritated above his eyes which he constantly scratches his face on the rug. We went through a food allergy trial feeding him Limited Ingredient Potato and Venison Royal Canine, then every time I brought him to vet they would prescribe cephalexin. Now he starts getting little bumps on his back that seem to have puss in them along with all of the above. He was also on antihistamines twice a day every day. I’m done. With all I have been reading about drugs and steroids I want to stop it all and figure out what’s going on. I love him so...I just want to help him feel normal, he's such an awesome dog.

I’m a little overwhelmed. I’m on information overload, please help.

PS: I need to choose a new food and I have requested samples of the premium foods. Based on what I have read about hot Foods and such I just don’t know which one to feed him? Wellness, Orejen, Evo, TOTW, etc….



Chilly just celebrated his fourth Birthday this past Sunday!

[Wylie's Mom]

I'm so sorry your baby is going through all of this . It could be so many things. I COMPLETELY agree w/ you about seeing a dermatologist - I think that is the the smartest thing you could do. Skin issues can be very complicated and since this has been going on for awhile, I really do think a derm. would be best. Depending upon the initial impression the vet has (ie. if there is an obvious Dx to a derm), this may be one of those cases where allergy testing could actually be helpful (rather than inconclusive).

Those are all good foods that you've listed - but is he doing well on the Venison? If so, I'd tend to keep him on it. If not, I will say that EVO may be a good one bc it does have rather limited ingredients. Please do keep us posted on this little guy.

[Wylie's Mom]

Wracking my brain...but does anyone remember the Man who posted about his baby who kind of had similar symptoms - and it had taken years for a diagnosis??? What was that diagnosis? Didn't it kind of sound like this? Argh...wish I could recall...

[Yorkiedaze]

Your baby must be so miserable. Poor little thing. If he were mine, I'd take him off of all commercial food and start him on some real food. Beef and white rice for starters. I think a dermatologist should take some scrapings to see what it is. Wylie's mom, I remember someones baby was allergic to wool. Is that the guy your talking about? Most carpets are wool or wool blend.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Wylie's mom, I remember someones baby was allergic to wool. Is that the guy your talking about? Most carpets are wool or wool blend.

Hi Helen ....argh...no, it was some nice man who had a little yorkie who had been suffering for quite a while and had weird bumps and just could not get a diagnosis...the final diagnosis was something pretty rare, but it had taken years to finally get that diagnosis. Gosh I wish I could recall it.

[carmen in nj]

I am a firm beliver of holistic medicine in conjuction with regular vet care.. may I suggest that in the meantime while you find a good dermatologist for the pup you can use a natural product call calm coat, I saw a great improvement in a dog that goes to the same holistic vet I take my dogs to. It might be a long shot but I guess it would be worth to try if it can help your baby..
you can check the product at..
Calm Coat

Best of luck and hopefully you will find what is wrong with your baby very soon..
hugs,
Carmen in nj

[TLC]

Was Staph or Yeast or Fungal ruled out

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi Helen ....argh...no, it was some nice man who had a little yorkie who had been suffering for quite a while and had weird bumps and just could not get a diagnosis...the final diagnosis was something pretty rare, but it had taken years to finally get that diagnosis. Gosh I wish I could recall it.

Oh, well then maybe we can send some positive thoughts his way and he can read this and help her out. btw, it's Donna.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Oh, well then maybe we can send some positive thoughts his way and he can read this and help her out. btw, it's Donna.

OMG...why on earth did I call you HELEN!?? I am having terrible insomnia lately - today, I've been up since 1am and feel really off. I can't believe I did that, I know very well your name is Donna, Helen.

I need some caffeine over here.

[Chilly Mom]

Thanks, I did do the holistic vet yesterday and was very happy with things I learned from this guy, and now I want to see how this "Raw Diet" he wants to start is going to work, I'm a little nervous.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Chilly Mom

Thanks, I did do the holistic vet yesterday and was very happy with things I learned from this guy, and now I want to see how this "Raw Diet" he wants to start is going to work, I'm a little nervous.

Do not be nervous, alot of us feed raw

...just wondering though if he is otherwise healthy? I ask bc dogs with liver issues, should not be feed a raw food diet. I had to stop feeding my Roxy raw bc we found out she has a compromised liver (MVD)

[carmen in nj]

OH, I am so glad you found a holistic vet, I adore the one I take my dogs to. She highly recomends the raw feeding, my dogs are on Innova Evo, but during the summer I add a bit of Natures variety raw medallions to the rotation and they have done great.. Best of luck with the new diet.. hopefully it will work..
hugs,
carmen in nj

[Chilly Mom]

Carmen,

Thanks for the info on the Calm Coat, I tend to get frustrated with everything offered out there I know nothing about, so find this Yorkie Talk is awesome for me because there are so many people to recommend things for my baby.

I wanted to ask about the liver thing and raw food. Chilly is normally a healthy vibrant energetic dog, the only health issues I have had with him is this same ongoing problem. Is there something I should do about checking the liver before starting the Raw?

Julie

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Chilly Mom

Carmen,

Thanks for the info on the Calm Coat, I tend to get frustrated with everything offered out there I know nothing about, so find this Yorkie Talk is awesome for me because there are so many people to recommend things for my baby.

I wanted to ask about the liver thing and raw food. Chilly is normally a healthy vibrant energetic dog, the only health issues I have had with him is this same ongoing problem. Is there something I should do about checking the liver before starting the Raw?

Julie

Sometimes skin issues go hand in hand with liver issues. You could have a Bile Acid Test (BAT) done first. It is pretty inexpensive, done at the Vet. The dog should be fasted 12 hrs. then bring to the Vet. They draw blood, feed the dog a little special food and 2 hrs later draw blood again. You get the results usually the next day.

[TLC]

This is the shampoo that I bath Roxy in, ever since her red bumps and itchy skin. No Conditioner either

Chlorhexiderm (2%)
ChlorhexiDerm Shampoo by DVM Pharmaceuticals