My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long UPDATE at Bottom

A couple of weeks ago we went to the vet because rocky was itching. The doctor prescribed steroids and a omega 3. My husband told me when we got home that he was uncomfotable with the steroids because he has seen what they do to me. We ended up just starting the omega-3. Fast forward to today and we see huge red marks where there is no hair all over rocky's neck. I am so so worried. I started the steroids and gave him baby benadryl for tonight and I am going to take him to the vet tomorrow. I was trying to see what has been the same and the only thing is we had him groomed around the time he was itchy. Last time they used regular shampoo but this time they used oatmeal. I have changed his food to all chicken except raw hides. Any ideas of what it could be??? He is a puggle. I am so worried.

Thanks for reading.

Message edited 11/6/2010 11:34:18 PM.

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

Could he have picked up fleas? Do you see flea dander or fleas?

Could be an allergic reaction to something at the groomers too.

Could be other things as well. Def go to the vet, and tell the vet all the possibilities.

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

It could be a staph infection.

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

my dog got a staph infection and was loosing hair -he got it from moisture on his skin around his collar from the collar getting wet outside

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

When we started dealing with possible allergies, I did a lot of research on the internet (which I would def suggest for you) and came to the conclusion that to identify and treat the problem, you have to start from scratch. (pun not intended )

That means stripping his life down to nothing and building from there. You start with food and question whether it's the right one, and isn't a cheap food that has grains and common allergens in it.

Leave him on the limited-ingredient (allergy friendly) food and nothing else. No extras like chicken. No treats. No grooming. Then I'd question everything he comes into contact with. Wash the dog bed (if you have one) in a fragrance/dye free soap like 7th Generation. Question the way you clean all the fabrics and surfaces he comes in contact with (carpet, wood floors, bed sheets) and what chemicals you use to do it. Wash his collar in the good laundry detergent. Etc.

I would definitely take the advice of the vet too, and give him the meds prescribed and watch him. Steroids for dogs are not the same as you being on steroids, or the same dosage. Even if he's not responding well, every dog is different and they can change whatever isn't working. If you have concerns, you should talk about them with the vet before you decide to change his treatment.

We actually kept a log of the changes we made because there were so many, and we couldn't keep track of the change in correlation to how much he was scratching or biting. But I do think you need to get organized and analytical with it. It's very hard to track down allergies, so I always go back to a plan to keep it more manageable. I hope he gets better soon, and that he can find some relief.

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

Posted by greenfreak

When we started dealing with possible allergies, I did a lot of research on the internet (which I would def suggest for you) and came to the conclusion that to identify and treat the problem, you have to start from scratch. (pun not intended )

That means stripping his life down to nothing and building from there. You start with food and question whether it's the right one, and isn't a cheap food that has grains and common allergens in it.

Leave him on the limited-ingredient (allergy friendly) food and nothing else. No extras like chicken. No treats. No grooming. Then I'd question everything he comes into contact with. Wash the dog bed (if you have one) in a fragrance/dye free soap like 7th Generation. Question the way you clean all the fabrics and surfaces he comes in contact with (carpet, wood floors, bed sheets) and what chemicals you use to do it. Wash his collar in the good laundry detergent. Etc.

I would definitely take the advice of the vet too, and give him the meds prescribed and watch him. Steroids for dogs are not the same as you being on steroids, or the same dosage. Even if he's not responding well, every dog is different and they can change whatever isn't working. If you have concerns, you should talk about them with the vet before you decide to change his treatment.

We actually kept a log of the changes we made because there were so many, and we couldn't keep track of the change in correlation to how much he was scratching or biting. But I do think you need to get organized and analytical with it. It's very hard to track down allergies, so I always go back to a plan to keep it more manageable. I hope he gets better soon, and that he can find some relief.

Re: My poor fur baby-- Sorry Long

Thanks for everyones responses... I put my foot down and put him on the prednasone. The vet gave us a spray to help with the itching and told us also to give him benadryl every 12 hours. He defitnetly is not scratching as much. He is a little lethargic but is getting a little better every day.

I cannot thank you all for your help. He is my baby and it broke my heart to see him like this.