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Very odd. If it was some type of contact dermatitis, anti fungals would not help at all. I had a horse with a stubborn ear and facial fungus, it came on just as soon as the hot weather did. I tried all kinds of verteranary stuff. It spit it back at me and laughed. Finally, an old cowboy I knew gave me a tip. 50/50 water and Listerine. Twice a day. She cleared up totally in a week, and it didn't come back. If this is fungal, it might be the ticket.
Maybe I mean anti bacterial. I just know we've been through about 6 different tubes of ointments and washes and they help but nothing has ever made it go away. I might clear some of her belly up, but not all. She may only have a few bumps on her back or chest, but there are always some.
It's not bugs. We've tested for that. It's something she comes into contact with - either topical (like something in the yard) or something she injests - which includes licking herself.
Mites aren't easy to identify via test. I know first hand because we had a mite issue earlier this year. It can't hurt to treat for mites. It's Revolution---that stuff that kills fleas kills mites too.
If you think it's an environmental allergy, you didn't mention if you have used Benadryl or any of the other oral medications for allergies. My dog is severely allergic to ragweed so we deal with severe allergic reaction all through fall until the first hard frost. He is also severely allergic to fleas. His whole body will break out in a rash if he is bitten by a flea.
If you can't identify the allergen, you might have no choice but to pay for the allergy tests. It could be anything. She could be allergic to dust mites or anything people are allergic to. If the vet is certain it's an allergy, I don't understand why the vet doesn't prescribe oral allergy medication.
There are vet allergists---specialists just like people doctors.
Maybe I mean anti bacterial. I just know we've been through about 6 different tubes of ointments and washes and they help but nothing has ever made it go away. I might clear some of her belly up, but not all. She may only have a few bumps on her back or chest, but there are always some.
It's so frustrating.
Well bacteria are a biologic like fungus. This doesn't jive with a bacterial infection though. Unless it's secondary, due to scratching raw and then getting infected. Either way, the mix I mentioned won't hurt a thing. Its really just an astringent wash, antibacterial and antifungal. My mare liked it, cuz it really seemed to calm itch well. After the second day of treating her she would come running for her bath. Just wash the affected areas, only, with the mix. Do NOT bath your animal with anything else. FYI, over bathing any animal can cause skin issues. Soaps and what not strip essential oils from hair and skin. Dont rinse the solution. Just wash the areas with a clean cloth and let air dry. I also use this solution for would care.
My dog seasonally gets rashy bumps on his belly (also pretty much bare belly). I think it's from laying on the magnolia leaves and such outside. My vet told me to wipe his belly and inner legs down with baby wipes (unscented, alcohol free) EVERY TIME he comes in from outside. When I do this, it seem to help a lot.
As for the darkened skin in his skin folds, have you had him tested for yeast? I believe yeast and fungal infections can develop from chronic infection, as vetegnc said.
Mites aren't easy to identify via test. I know first hand because we had a mite issue earlier this year. It can't hurt to treat for mites. It's Revolution---that stuff that kills fleas kills mites too.
If you think it's an environmental allergy, you didn't mention if you have used Benadryl or any of the other oral medications for allergies. My dog is severely allergic to ragweed so we deal with severe allergic reaction all through fall until the first hard frost. He is also severely allergic to fleas. His whole body will break out in a rash if he is bitten by a flea.
If you can't identify the allergen, you might have no choice but to pay for the allergy tests. It could be anything. She could be allergic to dust mites or anything people are allergic to. If the vet is certain it's an allergy, I don't understand why the vet doesn't prescribe oral allergy medication.
There are vet allergists---specialists just like people doctors.
allergy tests aren't cheap. ive been quoted everywhere from $400 up to $1800 and all say its like a 60% to80% chance the test is accurate and will nail something down. surprisingly alot of dogs are allergic to chicken and certain proteins. maybe try a food with salmon.
I had a similar issue with a dog several years ago. It was a food allergy.
You may want to try putting the dog on a chicken and brown rice diet for a month or two to see if there is any improvement. If that works, you've diagnosed food allergy. Then you can start re-introducing foods until you find one that works. It's tricky; it can be any particular source of protein (like soy, chicken, turkey, etc. etc.) or anything else.
For food allergies, it's best to give a food the dog has never been exposed to in the past. That's why many of the special dog foods for sensitive skin are duck, venison, etc. We changed our dogs from a lamb dog food to a venison dog food and their symptoms went away.
The skin prick allergy tests are absolutely accurate. There's no percentage about it. The dog either has a reaction or doesn't----just like people allergy tests.
My female Bull Terrier has similar issues. She has an allergy to something outdoors, she had free reign in our yard. Since we moved the issues aren't as severe or frequent since they're no longer running loose. She also has a flea allergy, so spring and summer months were killers for my poor girl.
The brown/black patches in the creases sound like it could be yeast. I use witch hazel on my female- she tends to get it around her private area.
You can see a Vet that specializes in Dermatology and have an allergy panel run but many times it's inconclusive (and expensive).
my mom has bostons too and sometimes they break out from the grass but my mom gives them benedryl and it clears it up
Very odd. If it was some type of contact dermatitis, anti fungals would not help at all. I had a horse with a stubborn ear and facial fungus, it came on just as soon as the hot weather did. I tried all kinds of verteranary stuff. It spit it back at me and laughed. Finally, an old cowboy I knew gave me a tip. 50/50 water and Listerine. Twice a day. She cleared up totally in a week, and it didn't come back. If this is fungal, it might be the ticket.
Yes. I've heard of Listerine (the old, amber colored one) for various hard to diagnose problems of people. I'd really try this.
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