Hi, i have a black Lab who is 14 months and about 6 weeks ago he started to lose hair around his eyes, he then started to lose further hair in spots around his head but nothing on his body. he is not really itching much more than he usually would and it doesnt seem o be causing him much discomfort. he also seems to have lots of dandruff and falkes of skin falling off but again only on his head. also his hair is falling out so easy. it comes out in clumps does anyone have anyone experience of this? The vets originally thought it was saroptic mange but took three skin scrapings and a biopsy and nothing has come back. I didn't think it could be this because he isn't itching. The vet has said it must be bacterial so wants us to bring him back down today to look at him again and give him antibiotics, this doesn't seem right to me? surely they shouldn't suggest antibiotics without rhyme or reason? Any advice is appreciated Thank you
Depends what it is or the vet suspects you can always go for a second opinion if youre not sure and don't trust this particular vet. Lossing fur is not right and can have many reasons just looks like the vet is trying the simple things first.
yes they also tested for ringworm and it come back negative. Just a bit unsure if antibiotics is the best way to go
Hmmm... I was going to say ringworm as that's what Ella had and it sounded the same. But, as you've said, they've already tested for this with no result. This was what Ella looked like with ringworm. Our vet suggested it could be mange, fungal (ringworm) or if not then it was likely to be allergies. They started us on steroids to reduce the itch as it was quite irritating.
It looks very simple to Rockys eyes although its also on his head. Im losing faith in my vets to be honest. May try antibiotics and see if it works.
I was a bit reluctant to use antibiotics and surprised that they were my vets first "go-to" suggestion. But on reflection, it does make some sense; our dogs can't communicate to us how they are feeling ("is it feeling better") and they can't help us treat them ("don't scratch that") so it is less easy to use more subtle / alternative / conservative treatments before reaching for the ABs. So, I'd say take the ABs if that's what the vet recommends - just be very sure to finish the entire course even if the condition seems to have cleared up, so you don't risk building up resistance in your pup's system. Good luck - let us know how you get on!
If your vet has ruled out mange/mites/ringworm problems a course of antibiotics would seem to be a good approach to eliminate a bacterial infection. Juno had a skin infection late last summer, after tests that it wasn't ringworm etc. we went for a possible bacterial infection. It took two courses of ABs and some bathing of the area with an allergy shampoo but it cleared up with no problems and didn't reoccur. Good luck
Was Folliculitis mentionned? You might see pustules but you might not. Oban had a very weird bout of this following illness. I saw pustules but not all over. http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/files/2008/03/vde121181.pdf
