Looking at your pics (in your first post) some of the patches do look like ringworm. If it is ringworm and the medication helps then over time you should start to see the fur growing back. At first this will just be tiny, fine hairs that are hard to see. It's a slow process, growing back fur. Be patient and check back with the vet anytime you're in doubt. Fingers crossed that this is the problem and the medication will nail it
I think that's really unlikely. In fact I'd say it's definitely not the problem. Just keep using the tap water you normally use
That wonderful news! I can't wait till my little man can be comfortable again! He has horrible shedding/itching so I've been brushing the areas that aren't affected with hair loss, is that okay to do? It seems to help with his itching. Your post made my night =). I hope he gets well soon.
Brushing him won't do any harm at all. I'd keep doing that Did the vet give you advice on how to manage your dog's contact with other dogs? Ringworm is pretty contagious (mainly so for young or old doggies). I really hope that this treatment proves to be the solution. I can imagine how frustrating and stressful this whole skin issue has been for you and your doggie. Let's hope that is all soon to be in the past!
He's being kept away from other dogs for now. I found a new rash, it looks pretty bad =(. It's on the inside on his top left leg. Could this be a reaction to the medicine I don't recall seeing this before, it looks so raw but he has his cone on. https://i.imgur.com/H7d05OF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/t8uhaGO.jpg
It's possible that that is from him chewing at his leg. That rash is definitely not from ringworm. He could have multiple things going on here - eg ringworm but also allergies. It still be that the best thing to do is to see a veterinary dermatologist. They know so much more about these problems than an non-specialist vet does.
Grabbed a veterinary dermatologist flier when I was at the vet, when I recoup some funds i'll schedule an appointment! Is there anything better than benadryl OTC to help with the itching?
When I first rescued Finn he was constantly scratching and itching. After the vets skin scrapes were negative she suggested using Piriton (Human med). It sorted him out within a couple of days. We used it for about 3 months, then discontinued. He's been fine ever since. Maybe worth a try? We switched piriton to the generic 5 times cheaper version at the chemist. Just had to say it was for me or they couldn't sell it for a dog!
Your poor boy! And how frustrating for you. My last dog (Lab) had skin problems which we mostly kept under control with diet -fish and rice - but also needed occasional courses of steroids (prednisolone) from the vet. If I was quick off the mark at noticing a flare-up, a very low dose did the trick. Having to have steroids didn’t shorten his life or cause other problems. However my dog’s skin didn’t really look like your dog’s in the photos. Yours looks much more like bites and the reaction to bites. Many years ago my parents had a Westie with very bad skin (itching) which turned out to be an extreme reaction to fleas! They managed to get it completely under control by monthly flea treatments and weekly baths with Malaseb (prescribed by vets). My last dog also had Malaseb baths in old age when he couldn’t have steroids due to being on medication for arthritis and it seemed to help. I hope you can find a way to help your boy.
Thank you! I couldn't ask for a better emotional support animal, he's my life =). I've been bathing him with GlenHaven Hexchlor-K Shampoo every 2 weeks. Would it be worth a shot making it weekly? He's on Trifexas, but we are switching him to a different one (forgot the name.) I have no idea what he could be being bit from, I haven't seen any fleas. I found tiny ants in our kitchen about a week ago, so I cleaned everything and sprayed bug spray around the house. He sleeps with me to help my sleep paralysis and PTSD at night and I have no bites, so i'm really stumped what could be biting him.
I know how frustrating this has been and how keen you are to try anything that might help. But it's best to talk to your vet about this rather than combining medications yourself. Also, antihistamines might not target the problem(s), and not all dogs respond to antihistamines (which is what Piriton is). To treat this properly you need a diagnosis. At the moment you have one of ringworm and the vet has given you medication to treat that. You've noticed new symptoms (on his leg) so the vet is the one to talk to about that, and whether it's consistent with the diagnosis that's been given. I'd have a chat with the vet about what these new symptoms mean, about the possibility of there being more than one problem going on, and about the idea of getting a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.
Good point, we go back to the vet in 11 days to see his cultural ringworm test. Just didn't know if there's something to use for a short period of time to help his itching and biting himself raw until our next visit. Will most definitely ask for a referral on our next visit. =).
You can give your vet a call in the meantime I know it's tough, and really awful to see your dog in so much discomfort. I'm sure that you will have it sorted in the end. Hang in there.
I appreciate the support . I've been doing a lot of reading on environmental allergens like a few people suggested. He spends most of his time sitting on my bed next to me, from what I've read about symptoms it seems like the detergent and fabric softener I use to clean my sheets could quite possibly be exacerbating his itching/bald spots. So just as a precaution I'm going to start washing my sheets in 'free and clear' to see if that helps!
