serenitymmason

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Henry & Marty
:please:I'm here hoping someone is familiar with some skin issues my bully has been experiencing and can possibly guide me in the right direction.
I know bulldogs generally have a lot of skin problems but I am so stumped and frustrated and feeling super guilty about this one. I have two bulldogs, one has regular allergies that we're working towards helping him feel better but my other 17 month old bully has recurring ulcerations that I need some insight on!

We got him at 3 months of age, had a little wart (or something) on his anus that eventually went away on its own but otherwise healthy little guy. About 2 months later we noticed on the back of his neck, on a roll ( but not in the fold), a dollar coin sized hard, fixed lump. The lump did not seem to bother him but then the hair follicles on the lump became inflammed, small patches of about 5 hairs would clump off held together by a scab, until eventually the entire lump was bald, the area then began to ulcerate and weep a foul smelling serous drainage. This was the first time we took him in for this, after a skin scrap and needle aspiration, the vet prescribed something which cleared it up, I don't remember what she diagnosed it as. Since then, we have taken him in to see the same vet and her partner at least 6 more times (mind you, we've only had him home with us for 15 months). He has been on doxycycline, cefpodoxime, prednisone and a de-wormer as a single and combination treatment. The Cefpodoxime and prednisone always clear the areas up. Recently, I became so upset, bawling at the office to the vet and she finally agreed to take a culture, the culture came back MRSP positive which she said would be resistant to the cefpodoxime and instructed me to stop it but he still cleared up (?), but he was also already on the combination of that plus prednisone and claritin for over a week at that point. She then prescribed Gentaspray which I started using immediatly but like I said, the areas were already clearing up.
I have requested numerous times for a biopsy because I feel so lost and want to know what these sores are so I can prevent instead of treat them. I also dont want to put him on antibiotics & prednisone every other month, I can tell these sores are painful and bother him, it breaks my heart. I still don't have an answer as to what is going on. These sore have since spread to his head, all the way down his spine and I found a few on his back legs. The are currently all in the early stages of inflammed hair follicles and just barely starting to loose hair. I called the vet again today and am waiting to hear back from her.

Has anyone heard of or dealt with anything that sounds like this?? I feel so distraught and terrible for my little guy. I plan to get a second opinion from another clinic as soon as I have a day off but man, am I dreading starting all over. Am I being out of line requesting a biopsy? I don't want to put him through that but I feel like that may be the only way to get an answer as to what this exactly is.

Do you have any suggestions for me??:*(


IMG_0940.JPGIMG_1092.JPGIMG_1093.JPGIMG_1263.JPGIMG_1376.JPGIMG_1480.JPGIMG_1481.JPGIMG_1527.JPGIMG_1717.JPG

Sorry guys, new to the webpage and not sure how to rotate the pictures :/
These are just a couple pictures from the beginning stages of inflamed hair follicles to hair loss and the ulceration.
Like the said, recently the sores have spread all the way down his spine and to his face and legs too.
 
Last edited:

RiiSi

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I'm sorry that you're going through this! I have no experience, but I do suggest you find another vet. Preferably Dermatologist and some one who understands about feeding too. Can be tough, I know. What are you feeding him at the moment? Are you giving him probiotics, double dose. Has he been tested for yeast?
 

ddnene

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I'm so sorry you are dealing w/all of this… I agree w/RiiSi you need to take him to a dermatologist, figure out the cause and stop just treating the symptoms. Could you post some pics of your baby?!! This could allergy related to his food or the environment… I really think your best shot is seeing a specialist.
 

Marine91

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I am sorry you are going through this. My baby had a battle with MRSA a little over a year ago that took over 9 months to clear up. As MRSP is very similar you will need to have a vet and/or a dermatologist do a culture and then a sensitivity panel across a wide range of antibiotics to see what your strain of MRSP is sensitive to. The other thing they may tell you to bathe upwards of two to three times a week with a medicated shampoo like Trizchlor 4 depending on the particular strain of infection to go along with a possible food change as some ingredients in a particular food can actually feed the infection.
 

Ftse 100

Bully lov'in wonder from down under
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I'm sorry your baby is dealing with this problem Tracey and Rikka have you some advice which sounds like a good idea to do, I pray you get some answers and can get rid of it all.
 

TyTysmom

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I agree with [MENTION=8859]Marine91[/MENTION] - what he did for his baby Harlea has keep her healthy. I would definitely look into the food as well. The Honest Kitchen is a good place to start with their bases, and adding your own protein. We just started Tyson on their preference base.
 

dolphin

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I agree with Rikka, I would get him to a dermatologists asap. They can do stuff for him that other vets can't. I hope you find one near you but it's DEFINITELY worth a drive for you.
 

Donnam

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I think everyone has you covered with good advice. I'm sorry you and your baby are going through this. I'm sending positive thoughts your way!
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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MRSA is a bitch.... Todd [MENTION=8859]Marine91[/MENTION] gave you great insight form his experience with his baby girl, Harlea. Listen to him and get to a dermotlogist for the corrct plan of action.

best of luck -- please keep us posted
 
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serenitymmason

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Thank you all so much for your recommendations and concerns. They currently are on the 12 week food trial of Taste of the Wild, Venison and Buffalo. I switched them from Nature's Recipe Lamb and Rice and then from Nature's Recipe Venison. The vet did the culture and sensitivity which showed MRSP, she called me and left a message while I was sleeping today (I work night shift) and told me to swing by and pick up more Gentaspray, a new medicated shampoo and try honey as it is a good antimicrobial. By the time I was able to return her call she was out of the office, I requested that she call me tomorrow afternoon so I can ask her: 1. why she thinks these areas are spreading 2. if she has any other ideas as to what they are because I want to PREVENT instead of just TREATING 3. the probiotic and 4. where the closest dermatologist is to us (I live in Green Bay, WI)

What are your experiences with mange and demodex? Does this sound or look like anything like that to you?
I posted a couple pictures to my original post, they aren't the best, but all that I have on my computer at the time.

Thank you all again!!
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Thank you all so much for your recommendations and concerns. They currently are on the 12 week food trial of Taste of the Wild, Venison and Buffalo. I switched them from Nature's Recipe Lamb and Rice and then from Nature's Recipe Venison. The vet did the culture and sensitivity which showed MRSP, she called me and left a message while I was sleeping today (I work night shift) and told me to swing by and pick up more Gentaspray, a new medicated shampoo and try honey as it is a good antimicrobial. By the time I was able to return her call she was out of the office, I requested that she call me tomorrow afternoon so I can ask her: 1. why she thinks these areas are spreading 2. if she has any other ideas as to what they are because I want to PREVENT instead of just TREATING 3. the probiotic and 4. where the closest dermatologist is to us (I live in Green Bay, WI)

What are your experiences with mange and demodex? Does this sound or look like anything like that to you?
I posted a couple pictures to my original post, they aren't the best, but all that I have on my computer at the time.

Thank you all again!!

I looked at the pictures and will tag members that have mange experience, it could be mange, but does MRSP show up with mange?

here are two I found on the web... are they near you?

Contact Us - The Animal House Pet Clinic / Groom & Board

Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon | Green Bay Veterinary Services
 
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serenitymmason

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Henry & Marty
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2BullyMama, thank you for your help that was wonderfully nice of you! I wonder though, are there actual dog dermatologists? My vet says she specializes in doggie dermatology too....(?) but should I be looking for someone more 'official'???
 

RiiSi

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2BullyMama, thank you for your help that was wonderfully nice of you! I wonder though, are there actual dog dermatologists? My vet says she specializes in doggie dermatology too....(?) but should I be looking for someone more 'official'???

Since you aren't getting your boy help from this vet, yes.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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2BullyMama, thank you for your help that was wonderfully nice of you! I wonder though, are there actual dog dermatologists? My vet says she specializes in doggie dermatology too....(?) but should I be looking for someone more 'official'???

Yes, just like with humans, there are VDM's that specialize in areas.... cardic, neurilogical, dermitology, etc. If this were one of my babaies, I would be at a specialist for sure -- they have a deeper knowledge and better understanding of what meds will address the issue quickest, will be more costly but continued non-resulting treatments will be even more costly and stressful to you all.
 
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serenitymmason

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I spoke with our vet again today, and I picked up Phytovet PSS Antiseborrheic Shampoo and more Gentaspray. She also talked about Manuka honey as a topical treatment but does not know much about and will do more research and get back to me. She said she is going to contact a dog dermatologist about Marty's condition, someone she has reached out to in the past. This dog dermatologist is in Madison, there is another in Milwaukee (which are equally 2 hours away) but I told her I would like a consult to go see this dermatologist she is talking with in Madison. I'm hoping to get a call soon :(
 

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