Expert: Delores Beck - 2/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
Our cocker started showing signs of dry skin at 7 months. She got spayed right at six months and around 9 months start itching uncontrollably and breaking out in little bumps on her belly. We took her to the vet and they put her on an antibiotic. A month or so later we took her back and the vet suggested atopica right off the bat. He never talked about what she could be allergic to, never talked about trying a new food just straight to the atopica. We put her on the medicine and she was bent over double everyday with loose stools. They were really runny and jelly like. We decided to take her off of that and try Avoderm dog food and benedryl. That didn't seem to work either. I then insisted that we have her thyroid checked just to rule that out. And we went to a new vet who suggested we put her on mange medicine to see if that could be the problem. He then put her on Purina HA to rule out food allergies. The food's ingredients look like garbage but we are willing to do what the doctor says. She seems to have gotten worse since she has been on this food and it has only been 2 weeks. Our next idea is to go to the dermatologist and get the allergy test done. Money is no longer an issue we will spend whatever and do whatever it takes to get this resolved. What do you think about this food the Dr. put her on? Also, have you seen that nzyme stuff advertised? Do you think that could be something? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. We have been in the process of figuring this out for over a year now.

ANSWER: I have lots of questions.

When your vet prescribed an antibiotic, did he look at the skin with a Wood's Light - then either use tape to collect a few cells or scrape the skin?  If not, he didn't know if this was yeast or bacteria.  What antibiotic and for how long?

Did he suggest any topical approaches?  Medicated shampoo - soaks - antibacterial lotion?

I'm stunned a vet would test her thyroid since that would be unheard of at her age.

You're right about the food being garbage and food allergies are the culprit only about 5% of the time.

The mistake a ton of family vets make is to not treat a skin condition long enough or with enough antibiotic.  It's like putting out a forest fire and leaving one lit match.

I think I can help if you can fill me in.

And I'm shocked if no topical approaches were suggested - at the very least this could have made her a lot more comfortable.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I can not remember what antibiotic he put her on the first time. I could find out because I save everything in a file at home. He did not do a Wood's light and as a mater of fact we took her again last week and he did her first skin scraping. He said he did not see anything in the microscope.
She was on a shampoo for a while but there was really no relief from that.
As far as the thyroid, I saw something on the Internet about thyroid problems and asked if they would check it just to be sure. I feel like I have been doing a majority of the research myself. When I have questions or concerns the Dr. refuses to talk to me on the phone. I found a dermatologist myself and they need a referral and he said that the dermatologist has to call HIM to get the referral!!! I'm outraged and the other highly recommended vet in our town is full.
As far as the food, do you think it would be wise to ask for an alternative?

ANSWER: I need to know which antibiotic - the mg. - and for how long.  Did it work for a time?

I need to know what shampoo.

And here's the trick to referrals - just call the Dermatologist and give your vet's name and say he referred you.  Your vet sounds like a complete ass.  And yes, you've done more yourself.  I can't believe he put your dog on Atopica FIRST.

Don't worry about food - food allergies are the culprit only about 5% of the time.  Are you willing to home cook?

Here's what a good vet Dermatologist would do:
1.  Identify problem (bacteria or yeast).
2.  Put dog on appropriate antibiotic for a month.
3.  vitamin A therapy (will explain)
4.  Topical therapy - very important for healing & relief
5.  Wait

To relieve itching (I'm thinking you're at work), stop on the way home and buy two things.  Nizoral shampoo (most supermarkets/drugstores have it) and Aveeno oatmeal soak.
Comes in a box with packets of powder.

Vet Dermatologists love Nizoral - it kills bacteria AND yeast.
I will tell you how to use it - wet dog, lather up, leave on for 10 minutes - rinse like a maniac.

Now pop dog into bathtub which you've filled with warm water and one packet of the colloidal oatmeal.  Soak her 10 minutes.

Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will have to get back to you on the antibiotic. I do not remember it working. She also had cortisone in her system at the time of her first anitbiotic. The shampoo started with an M and it was medicated. I have seen it several times before.  I will certainly try the bath and soak! I havae no problem cooking for our dog at all! If someone told me that walking backwards for the rest of my life would give our dog some relief I would be a backwards walking son of a gun!

Answer
Oh my God...he used a steroid too?

probably Malaseb shampoo?

And how are her ears?  Skin problems & ear issues go hand in hand.

Get back to me on the antibiotic and to make things faster & easier, write me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.

Our first goal is to give her some relief and that can be done.

I also need to know everything you've fed her.
Delores