When Molly arrived home with us (26th June) she had a pristine little pink tummy. Over the past week or so it has developed a spotty rash, looks almost like German measles in humans. This seems to sometimes irritate her but not all the time. I mean, she can go almost a day without nibbling at it or trying to scratch. When it first started I thought perhaps she had scratched herself in the garden running in the longer grass areas, it was just the odd sore spot then. Over the days it has fluctuated, occasionally looking as if it was fading then the next day, angry and more extensive. Today, the affected area is slightly smaller but the rash is redder and angrier looking and a couple of her nipples now look sore. Molly has taken to 'scratching' the area by lying flat with her hinds legs stretched out behind her and dragging herself down the lawn. Poor little soul, it must itch horribly. We haven't changed the food the breeder was using, so we can eliminate that as a cause. I wonder if anyone has seen anything like this. By the way, we do have a vet appointment 2.30 today.
Could it be flea/insect bites? Other than that, it's probably an allergy to something. I hope your vet can shed some light on it. Poor little love.
Ella had something similar shortly after we got her. It turned out to be a bit of a reaction to our grass. Her young belly was so sensitive and the vet advised us to apply some Sudocrem to it. It cleared up quickly and we haven't had an issue since. Hope Molly's belly issue is something similar and just as easy to treat. Feel free to post photos of her cute, bare belly
My Lab had something similiar, wash with very dilute Hibiscrub and then apply Sudocrem (as did @Emily) to her pup. If there is no improvememt or your pup gets worse in the next day or two, then a visit to the vet.
We had this with our pup Alfie when we first brought him home, the vet said it was most likely to be puppy pyoderma, and is caused by there sensitive skin and junior immune system. The vet told us to keep an eye on it and pop some sudocrem on it and come back if it got worse for some antibiotics and tests to pinpoint the exact cause. http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2014/september/what-puppy-pyoderma-31979# Hope this is helpful
Thanks to you all and yes Beckyt6 that is helpful. Any information much appreciated. It seems though that Molly is having an allergic reaction to grass and possibly other things. So far, a variety of meds prescribed and it is potentially a permanent condition. Utterly gutted for Molly and for us. We live in a rural area and it seems she would be better off in an urban grassless area. After BJ who was epileptic and coped with all the other awful problems that illness and its treatment dished up, we were so looking forward to a healthy lab.
Hi have same prob with my pup Murphy allergy grass etc very nasty rash over his belly and parts his legs!! after steroid injection vet told me keep him on piriton ( just same as humans have ) and recommended coconut oil !! Result from coconut oil amazing rash nearly completely gone and lot less scratchy !! I put little in his food in morn and rub little over his belly of evening couldn't recommend it enough !! Hope this may help X
Thank you Kelhump, yes it does help. Our vet has prescribed all sorts including I think steroid. Not complaining, he's a wonderful vet, just so sad that we seem to be heading down the same old med-infested road again.
I know how u feel Fayrose I to had choc lab that had epilepsy we saddly lost in January so feel exactly same wanting healthy pup !! But have been doing lots research googling etc and since Murphy been on piriton every day and coconut oil he diff pup as didn't want put him on lots steroids !! Don't feel to dis heartened hopefully it only seasonal and if u can get it under control without lots steroids etc better on pup good luck X but def give coconut oil a go bought mine from Amazon for dogs cheap to X
Jura has mild grass and pollen allergies too,which also result in a rash on her tummy. At this time of year it is obviously worse. I've managed to keep her off meds by wiping her tum and legs after walks, and also her eyes which can get a bit runny too. She gets salmon oil with her food and I also use coconut oil if she does get a rash. So far this summer this has kept her skin ok and not too itchy. I got her vet to chech her the other week when she was in for her booster and he was happy that her skin wasn't too bad, her allergies are mild though.
I am so sorry. I had an epilpeptic German Shorthaired Pointer, so understand so well your hope that your next dog would be free of any problems.
Thanks so much Kelhump and Raven12. I'll google those things and perhaps try coconut oil etc. Very grateful for your advice and encouragement.
I understand how disappointing it is... Our dog Obi is a 'sensitive' boy as well and is on antihistamines most of the year and steroids occasionally. It does keep it well under control. So things might not be so bad once you see how she responds to the meds over time... I have a friend who had a baby who has an endocrine disorder which means she has to take a daily pill for the rest of her life. My friend was really down about her new baby having to be tied to taking a pill every day, forever. I said to her "look at it this way. Your baby can't manufacture every single thing she needs to stay healthy, in her own body. It is odd, but I can't either! In fact, I need to eat food two or three times a day, just to stay alive. Also I need to drink water! It is a real pain. Wherever I am, I have to have a plan for how I am going to get enough food and water for that day. Day in, day out. Every day! For the rest of my life...!!!!". That made her smile at least, and feel a little better. I'm sure it will be ok in the end, and it might not be too hard to manage. Meanwhile, us fellow medicators all understand.
Made me smile too Oberon - and feel a bit silly for being so negative. A shot of common sense does wonders sometimes, thanks.
Don't feel silly about it - I can totally understand what a drag it is after having had to deal with ongoing health issues with your other dog. Also, we all want the best for our doggies and don't like it when something is not 100% right for them. So it's totally normal to wish that things were otherwise.
Those of you who use coconut oil, can I ask who produces the one you've chosen? I've been looking on Amazon and other places and there is a huge variety and quite a variety in price too. Molly has finished the meds that were prescribed and unfortunately the irritation is coming back and I'd prefer to try the coconut oil rather than stick her back on more meds, particularly steroids She's only 4 months old, poor little love.
I use Lucy Bees - extra virgin, organic coconut oil - for cooking, rubbing, dogs, anything - it's super quality.
