Skin problems

[KPV4]

I know this may be not the palce to ask this question but I'm looking for any help possible. I've got a six year old Westie who is suffering with some skin problems. The skin in places looks inflammed with red patches, they seem to be worse when its warm.

 

I have taken the dog to the vet on countless ocassions and cost the obligatory fortune (hundreds if not running to 4 figures now), and we are no further forward and no sign of an end to the probems. When the skin is inflamed she is constantly licking it (probably making it worse) she doesn't seem to be in pain or discomfort, but obviously I want to try and clear it up completely. She is bathed in special shampoo a couple of times a week she is on the most expensive food you can get (about £45 a bag) and we have tried different types incase it is the food causing the problem. We have tried everything the vet has said to no avail. She is on about 1-2 steroid tablets a day which we want to stop as soon as possible but these are the only thing that seem to help with the problem, has anyone got any ideas??

[vampire]

Hi

we have german shepherd that has suffered from skin problems. I am sure I am telling you what you already know here, but will just tell you what we have found out. If the vet has not done allergy tests would be good idea to get them done. our dog was helped by removing carpet from sleeping area as he has dust mite allergy and not using any perfumed cleaners on floors. We also feed Hills utlra z/d that has hydrolised? protein, this is meant to help (some insurance companies will pay half). I have heard some dogs have been helped by feeding an unknown protien source (maybe rabbit). I can only sympathise and hope you find something to help soon.

[kyska]

Is your dog insured? If so, or if you're wealthy enough ask for a referral to a dermatologist, or find out if any vet schools need complex cases for the students to look at, you can normally get state of the art treatment for a fraction of the price.

 

Westies commonly get skin problems, small dose of steroids (I imagine you are giving yor dog prednisolone?) won't do any harm but work like magic with skin complaints, but long term use needs monitoring which I'm sure your vet is doing.

 

I know this may be not the palce to ask this question but I'm looking for any help possible. I've got a six year old Westie who is suffering with some skin problems. The skin in places looks inflammed with red patches, they seem to be worse when its warm.

 

I have taken the dog to the vet on countless ocassions and cost the obligatory fortune (hundreds if not running to 4 figures now), and we are no further forward and no sign of an end to the probems. When the skin is inflamed she is constantly licking it (probably making it worse) she doesn't seem to be in pain or discomfort, but obviously I want to try and clear it up completely. She is bathed in special shampoo a couple of times a week she is on the most expensive food you can get (about £45 a bag) and we have tried different types incase it is the food causing the problem. We have tried everything the vet has said to no avail. She is on about 1-2 steroid tablets a day which we want to stop as soon as possible but these are the only thing that seem to help with the problem, has anyone got any ideas??

[KPV4]

Thanks for the replies, alas we don't have any pet insurance and unfortunately I'm not rich (must check my lotto tickets ) so all the money it has cost so far has been skrimpt and saved to ensure she is looked after. The vet is monitoring the steroid use and when her skin clears up we drop the dose and only raise it when her skin flares up, the steroids she is on are Prednisdale. I would love to be able to send her to have the tests done but the vet has said they are very expensive, but if it it can't be controlled by the use of medication we will have to look into having the tests done to try and identify what is causing the problem.

 

She is 6 years old and has only develpoed this problem in the last 18 months, I think it could be stress (if that is possible) she is quite a nervous dog and doesn't like changes about the house, even decorating over the weekend made her nervous about what was happening and her skin flared up, so I'm unsure.

[kyska]

Stress is a possible cause, stress releases chemicals that can do the most peculiar things, most certainly aggravate other ailments.

 

Prednisdale is prednisolone, and in low doses like your dog (2mg/day) is on is unlikely unless treatment lasts an age, from a professional point of view, and its my point of view....if you can't afford the more in depth examinations and referrals gauge it on the dogs quality of life. Use the steroids as directed but don't get lax, if they appear not to be working there are other options, mostly all steroidal but worth a shot.

 

You could get all sorts of advice from here, reading the web etc but your vet is the best source of information, you know some animals and people just have 'bad skin' and you treat it symptomatically, there is no other way.

 

Kyska

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the replies, alas we don't have any pet insurance and unfortunately I'm not rich (must check my lotto tickets ) so all the money it has cost so far has been skrimpt and saved to ensure she is looked after. The vet is monitoring the steroid use and when her skin clears up we drop the dose and only raise it when her skin flares up, the steroids she is on are Prednisdale. I would love to be able to send her to have the tests done but the vet has said they are very expensive, but if it it can't be controlled by the use of medication we will have to look into having the tests done to try and identify what is causing the problem.

 

She is 6 years old and has only develpoed this problem in the last 18 months, I think it could be stress (if that is possible) she is quite a nervous dog and doesn't like changes about the house, even decorating over the weekend made her nervous about what was happening and her skin flared up, so I'm unsure.

Edited June 2, 2010 by kyska

[apache]

Westies are prone to skin problems, the usual diagnosis being 'atopy' which is just a fancy way of saying allergic to itself/the world!

 

Steroids provide symptomatic relief by dampening down the immune systems response.

 

Specifically what is the food? Is it something like Hills Z/D or Eukanuba FP - these are 'restriction' diets designed to give a novel protein and carbohydrate source and rule out a food allergy.

 

Blood allergy tests have some use but the results must be interpreted with care.

 

The gold standard is referral to a dermatologist for intradermal skin tests (little pricks of various allergens).

 

There is a drug 'Atopica' that is very useful in these cases but is very expensive.

 

Supplementation of essential fatty acids has been shown to benefit these dogs (even cod liver oil/evening primrose).

 

Make sure you treat regularly (monthly) with an effective flea product (eg Frontline) and only use very mild detergent to wash dog beds and the mildest of dog shampoos (or medicated ones).

 

These dogs can be a real nightmare to control and keep comfortable. Best of luck!

 

PM me if you want to know any more.

[KPV4]

Thanks for all the info and help

 

At present she is on Burns Fish and Maize food, after trying various different types (the vet thought she might be alergic to rice hense the maize), she is shampooed with Malseb shampoo, she is also on Evening Primrose and Cortavance spray. We are about at our wits end, and don't seem to be making any progress, we have cut out all sorts of treats and suplimented them for others to no avail. I wish I could afford to refur her to a dermatologist but I expect it would cost more than my funds could run to, do you have any idea what the 'Atopica' treatment would cost or a ferural to a dermatologist?

[al4x]

personally I would cut out all the shampoos and sprays for a start, putting products on irritated skin IMHO is just going to make it worse, I'd also change the flea treatment to stronghold which would sort out any mites etc as well as fleas but of course you want to be careful as a spot on treatment might be an issue. Food wise I'd try a natural meat / BARF diet for a while so you aren't putting any grain products or additives etc into the dog.

[apache]

personally I would cut out all the shampoos and sprays for a start, putting products on irritated skin IMHO is just going to make it worse,

That's really bad advice! The Malaseb is killing the overgrowth of fungus and bacteria on the skin and the Cortavance spray is a topical steroid used to keep the inflammation under control.

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES STOP THESE WITHOUT SPEAKING TO YOUR VET!

 

Many of these problems do have underlying dietary sensitivities contributing to the cause, the thing we need to feed the dog is a novel protein and carbohydrate source. One it has never seen before is best. Raw meat is fine but most per foods contain varying amounts of beef, chicken, pork and lamb (whatever it says on the label). Fish is a good alternative as is something like rabbit if you can get hold of some cheap. As for the carbohydrate potato is often used. You would need to feed this for 6 week WITH NOTHING ELSE, NO TREATS NOTHING to rule out a dietary sensitivity.

[apache]

Thanks for all the info and help

 

At present she is on Burns Fish and Maize food, after trying various different types (the vet thought she might be alergic to rice hense the maize), she is shampooed with Malseb shampoo, she is also on Evening Primrose and Cortavance spray. We are about at our wits end, and don't seem to be making any progress, we have cut out all sorts of treats and suplimented them for others to no avail. I wish I could afford to refur her to a dermatologist but I expect it would cost more than my funds could run to, do you have any idea what the 'Atopica' treatment would cost or a ferural to a dermatologist?

 

Referral to a Dermatologist would vary depending where they sent you. You would usually be looking in the region of £100-200 for the initial consult and then further tests on top. Varies enormously.

 

Atopica price varies enormously but for a small dog ~£1-£2/day to start with then often move to every other day dosing so 50p-£1 per day. Can make the world of difference. Has come down i price over last couple of years.