I have a 3 !/2 month golden retriver- she has had a serious fungal infection- i took her to the vets and they gave her a special bath- i then had to bath here every two days and sprey this really strong chemical on her and finally put a cream on. anyway it seemed to off worked and her hair has started growing back- well last night she started really scratching again and little lumps have come up on her ears- i live in tyrkey and the vets are rubbish they just want to sell you loads off stuff to make money. I think it maynot be a fungal infection and maybe mites- does anyone know what I should be looking for and what i can ask the vet to do- someone has suggested a skin scrap or a blood test.
Any advice would be a great help as driving me insane- I am going to a new vet tomorrow so wanted to be prepared
Thanks
Skin problem help needed for dog?
A skin scrap wont bother the dog to much but it is a good way to find out exactly what is bothering the dog.
If your vet does seem that he is after your money rather than the well fair of your dog it is better as you have mentioned to change your vet. I have listed below some mites that causes what you have described.
Demodicosis
This is a noncontagious skin disease caused by an excessive population of the canine follicular mite, Domodex canis. The life cycle of the mite, involving eggs, six legged larvae, eight legged protonymphs, and four legged adults occurs completely on the host. This mite occurs naturally on most dogs and lives in the hair follicles. Complications arising from this mite typically occurs in young dogs(juvenile-onset form) and less commonly occurs in older dogs (adult-onset form). Complications may be localized or generalized. NOTE: localized and generalized are very different diseases.
Localized demodicosis is very common and is typically a mild, self-limiting disease. Generalized demodicosis is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that typically evolves from the more localized form and is relatively uncommon.
This disease is a result of the alteration of the normal protective mechanisms of the skin that keep the mite in check. Dogs affected with localized demodicosis exhibit one or more well defined patches of hair loss, reddening of the skin (erythema), and scaling. These patches typically develop on the face, around the eyes, the corners of the mouth, and on the front legs.
Dogs affected with generalized demodicosis usually have a history of localized demodicosis. Diffuse or patchy, generalized hair loss accompanied by scaling, crusting, and signs of chronic skin inflammation are characteristic of this disease. In extreme cases, bacterial disease may be present.
Canine Scabies
This is a highly contagious, intensely itchy, skin disease caused by the burrowing epidermal mite, Sarcoptes cabei var. canis. This particular mite is restricted almost exclusively to dogs, but may produce a transient itching disease in other hosts, including people. The intense itching arises from the irritation caused by the mites as they burrow into the skin and by their production of toxic and allergy inducing compounds.
The mites are small, oval, whitish, and opaque. Adult mites have eight legs and live on average 4 to 5 weeks. Although they spend most of their time on the host, these mites can exist for up to 48 hours off the host in the local environment. Transmission occurs by direct contact with an infested dog and clinical signs may develop within a week of contact with an infested animal.
Affected dogs exhibit intense itching, small reddened papules with crusting, hair loss, and often severe secondary trauma caused by energetic scratching and biting. These lesions are usually found on the underside of the body, around the ears, elbows, and front legs.
Affected dogs should be temporarily isolated and the premises thoroughly cleaned. Treatment involves the sue of shampoos or miticidal dips. Oral anti-inflammatory medication may be administered to help control itching. All animals living on the premises that have had significant contact with the affected dog should be treated as well, since it is possible they may be harboring sarcoptic mites, with or without accompanying clinical signs.
Cheyletiellosis
This is a mild, contagious, variably itchy, skin disease of domestic animals, wildlife, and people caused by the mites of the genus Cheyletiella. These mites live on the surface of the skin. It should be noted that this condition is typically seen in parts of the world where vigorous flea control is not necessary or not practiced. The mites that cause this illness are sensitive to the same insecticides that kill adult fleas.
The mites are large with prominent hooklike mouthparts, and can be seen with the unaided eye as small white specks on the dogs skin or hair. Although the entire life cycle of the mite is completed on the host, adult female mites can survive in the environment for extended periods of time. This increases the likelihood of transmission to other animals or humans.
Ear Mites
This mite, Otodectes cynotis, is most at home in the ear canals of dogs and cats. When present, they present a dry, reddish brown wax that often appears at the opening of the ear canal. Large numbers of these mites can create such an extensive amount of excrement and wax that the entire ear canal becomes obstructed. Further, they can produce a major reaction in the ear and set the stage for secondary infections by yeast or bacteria.
Treatment involves removing the debris caused by the mites, anti-inflammatory drugs or ointments to subdue scratching, and miticides to kill the mites.
Skin problem help needed for dog?
The new vet is a good idea. It could be about anything. Allergies, food, dermatitis. A scrape is a good idea, so is a blood test.
Reply:My sister had same type of problem a number of years ago with her border collie ……..had skin scrapes expensive medication special diets the lot everything worked for a while but would always come back untill poor dog was almost bald ………… tried Tea Tree oil spray a few pounds off pet stall worked a treat …… its in a pump spray bottle worth a try ….
Reply:I have a 3 year old lab who also has ear problems like this A LOT. I wash his ears with Hydrogen peroxide and then use this blue gel stuff called Benadene by Sergeant’s. It’s a hot spot skin remedy so you can put it anywhere on their body. It says it’s for : reddened area, hair loss, intense itching. Active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride. It seems to help a lot!
Reply:It could be her diet as well. Golden’s are known to get allergies. Check and see what’s in her food wheat or corn may be doing this. Also you should ask your vet to do a skin scrape and blood work so you can nip this in the bud. It could be many different things. Good luck with her, she’s lucky to have such a caring person looking out for her.;^)
Reply:i would ask for the skin scraping
Reply:I would start with a skin scrap to see if they find mites or anything.
If it is demodex mange it can be treated but takes time to clear up.
If the skin scrape is clear then start looking at allergies.
Many Goldens have flea or food allergies and once you figure it out thing clear up and go pretty well. But it may take some time to figure out what is causing this.
Good luck.
Reply:Oh dear, you are having your fair share of problems! When you see your new vet, and after any further tests are done, ask him about Fuciderm Carbomer Gel. This is an excellent veterinary product but is a prescription-only medicine. Unfortunately, a tube costs about æ‹¢17 over here but, on a plus side, it works like magic! My Siamese cat has these ‘mystery’ sore patches on his inner thighs and tummy occasionally. My vet, having tested him for every skin condition under the sun, prescribed Fuciderm and that really worked wonders. Don’t worry, Fuciderm is for dogs primarily!
I hope you will have some luck. I know how distressing skin problems can be … for the owner as well as the pet!
Reply:The first thing they should do is a skin scrapping to see exactly what is on her to cause her itching. Some dogs especailly goldens tend to have allergies. Find out if they have testing for this or if there is something in your home or yard that they know would cause this. Some foods cause allergies in the skin ask the vet if trying an allergy diet might help. these can be more costly than the supermarket but really worth it. There are so many reasons for itching and some dogs just itch out of boardom or frustration. Does your dog go out and walk enough or does she not like being left alone? These things can cause these reactions in dogs also.Don’t be afraid to ask any and all ?s the vet may have the degree but if u sit and think about how this all started, IE: where and when what was the pet around u may be able to lead the vet in the right direction and one that is not so costly to u. Hope this hepled. Good Luck and remember in the end u r the boss not the vets.
Reply:Your poor dog – I would definitely ask for a skin scrape as that is the only way that they can tell what it is.
Get them to check in her ears as if it is mites or some other form of infestation they should be visible – you may want to consider whether there is a possibility this could be fleas and if so get some flea treatment such as frontline.
You did not say whether she has been scratching all over or whether it is just in her ears – if just her ears are bothering her then she could have got something stuck in there like a grass seed which will need to be removed.
Hope this helps and you get her sorted quickly!
Reply:My sister has a scottie and has had very similar symptons it transpiries that it is all to do with mites from his birth mother and a lot of inter breeding
