Skin issues, bald spots, scabs

[nellbell]

Hoping someone might have an answer. Nelly continues to have skin issues where she looks like a moth eaten rug. She is not uncomfortable, but it's unsightly and sometimes widespread. I'm going to try to attach photos.

She breaks out with a scab on the skin which takes the fur with it when it crusts and falls off. Mostly round patches, some crescent patches.

We have had it tested without success, have tried acv, yogurt, antibiotics, allergy meds, thyroid meds, forti flora, antibacterial/antifungal shampoo, melatonin, duoxo pads, and finally a prescription elimination diet hydrolized protein. Nothing has helped.

Need a magic potion. Thanks.

 

[Dollys Owner]

Try shaving area with a clipper and putting on Nu-stock ointment

 

[helsonwheels]

Try shaving area with a clipper and putting on Nu-stock ointment

I just rubbed all of Duke's top back with it as it started to come back in a couple places.

 

[chitownbully]

[MENTION=11014]nellbell[/MENTION]....my pup experienced this throughout his first 2 years. The first couple times we took him in to see his vet. We were told it was a staph infection and he was put on antibiotics. Nothing seemed to work, he continued to develop patches, starting off as you describe, a scab, and eventually the scab would fall out with his fur attached. After the first couple times, we decided to just let it run its course. He's a lil over 2 yrs now and on it's own it just stopped happening. The only thing we did different, during this time, was to only give him grain free food and treats. With most of his treats being fruits and veggies. I can't say this was the cause, or if him just getting older and stronger that his system is able to fight whatever was causing this.
I can also tell you during the time he was going thru this, we were told not to use any medicated shampoos, etc. because sometimes these can irritate the skin and cause the condition to worsen. We did however give him refined coconut oil daily, both orally (as a treat) and topical. Concentrating the oil on his patches.
Hope this helps!

 

[Dollys Owner]

I can't see that bathing your dog with a chlorhexidine/ketoconazole shampoo once a week would be irritating and would be helpful during the acute phase. But, if it does irritate you could instead bathe dog in infected spots with diluted betadine. Also clean the environment well- wash all bedding in hot water and dry in high heat. Clean any hard surfaces with disinfectants.

Grain free dehydrated raw dog food would be a good start- eg. limited ingredient Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/minimalist-food

Also it's good for skin to give some omega 3- eg. sardines packed in water once a week .

You may eventually need to figure out if she has environmental or food allergies if this all keeps happening. Food allergies are best diagnosed by elimination diets and environmental allergies by skin testing. If she has environmental allergies then cytopoint injections may be needed if she gets worse.

 

[helsonwheels]

[MENTION=11014]nellbell[/MENTION]....my pup experienced this throughout his first 2 years. The first couple times we took him in to see his vet. We were told it was a staph infection and he was put on antibiotics. Nothing seemed to work, he continued to develop patches, starting off as you describe, a scab, and eventually the scab would fall out with his fur attached. After the first couple times, we decided to just let it run its course. He's a lil over 2 yrs now and on it's own it just stopped happening. The only thing we did different, during this time, was to only give him grain free food and treats. With most of his treats being fruits and veggies. I can't say this was the cause, or if him just getting older and stronger that his system is able to fight whatever was causing this.
I can also tell you during the time he was going thru this, we were told not to use any medicated shampoos, etc. because sometimes these can irritate the skin and cause the condition to worsen. We did however give him refined coconut oil daily, both orally (as a treat) and topical. Concentrating the oil on his patches.
Hope this helps!

Duke is 7.5 months old. 2 months ago I was going through the same issue. It's more like you mentioned..... build up the immune system. Duke eats very healthy, no grain, raw, treats are only real dry liver or dry meat only and/or friuts. Eats real green smelly tripe for probiotics n kefir etc. He was checked out and seems its stress.

 

[Lalaloopsie]

This is staph infection. Persisted for 1 year on my Tank. Causes are mixed: allergy, weak immune system, atopy. No magic potion for it. Takes long months for hair to grow back.
Despite it is an infection, don't agree for antibiotics. It's useless. We tried all possible AB, for months. Improvement, but when therapy stops, relapse. After you discontinue, it will come back, because your dogs immune system isn't strong enough to beat staphylococcus.
Now we got it under control, but it took long time and a lot of effort.
1. Feeding home cooked limited ingredient diet (beef, sweet potato, lentils)
2. Supplements- high quality fish oil with high EPA and DHA content (actually now I give him human grade capsules and it works well), Nuvet vitamins, Fortiflora probiotic, from time to time I give him also human grade Vit A, Vit E and Zync tablets ( these tablets I give not regularly to avoid overdose).
3. Shampoo with Ketokonazole, Chlorhexidine and colloidal silver, 2 times a week shower with a period of 10 mins sitting covered in shampoo. How long did you use shampoo? I've seen results after couple of months of usage. And yes, guys say irritation with shampoo can occur in the beginning, but usually skin gets used to it. Just make sure you rinse really well and dry all crevices thoroughly. Under tail, behind ears, nose rope, between toes etc.
Eat, gym, repeat:D

You will probably never be able to stop this therapy, as bulldogs are all atopics and often react with skin issues for many allergens. Food, contact, inhalant allergens. Or, hopefully, like guys say, may be with age his immune system will mature and you can discontinue usage of medicated shampoo.
But I doubt that problem will go away without actions from your side it is quite pronounced from what I see on photo.

 

[Lalaloopsie]

P.S. Nu stock also can help, it's amazing old skin medication, but I just couldn't bear with smell. So, I chose to use medicated shampoo. But you can try it.

 

[Dollys Owner]

This is staph infection. Persisted for 1 year on my Tank. Causes are mixed: allergy, weak immune system, atopy. No magic potion for it. Takes long months for hair to grow back.
Despite it is an infection, don't agree for antibiotics. It's useless. We tried all possible AB, for months. Improvement, but when therapy stops, relapse. After you discontinue, it will come back, because your dogs immune system isn't strong enough to beat staphylococcus.
Now we got it under control, but it took long time and a lot of effort.
1. Feeding home cooked limited ingredient diet (beef, sweet potato, lentils)
2. Supplements- high quality fish oil with high EPA and DHA content (actually now I give him human grade capsules and it works well), Nuvet vitamins, Fortiflora probiotic, from time to time I give him also human grade Vit A, Vit E and Zync tablets ( these tablets I give not regularly to avoid overdose).
3. Shampoo with Ketokonazole, Chlorhexidine and colloidal silver, 2 times a week shower with a period of 10 mins sitting covered in shampoo. How long did you use shampoo? I've seen results after couple of months of usage. And yes, guys say irritation with shampoo can occur in the beginning, but usually skin gets used to it. Just make sure you rinse really well and dry all crevices thoroughly. Under tail, behind ears, nose rope, between toes etc.
Eat, gym, repeat:D

You will probably never be able to stop this therapy, as bulldogs are all atopics and often react with skin issues for many allergens. Food, contact, inhalant allergens. Or, hopefully, like guys say, may be with age his immune system will mature and you can discontinue usage of medicated shampoo.
But I doubt that problem will go away without actions from your side it is quite pronounced from what I see on photo.

I think giving kelp is a more natural way of giving vitamins and it's good for the dog's skin problems as well. And as a bonus it helps prevent dental plaque. https://www.amazon.com/Starwest-Botanicals-Organic-Powder-Pound/dp/B004XIS14M

Although if you do give your dog fish oil ( instead of the sardines that I mentioned before ) I agree it's good to supplement with Vitamin E natural source 400IU once a week.

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Oh, thank you very much, this kelp supplement looks very good, I believe there is some kelp in Nuvet, but I think it's a good thing to add. Vit E I'm adding as I've read some research about the certain increase in Vit E need while taking fish oil. Data is not 100 percent clear, but I just give it a try

 

[Dollys Owner]

Oh, thank you very much, this kelp supplement looks very good, I believe there is some kelp in Nuvet, but I think it's a good thing to add. Vit E I'm adding as I've read some research about the certain increase in Vit E need while taking fish oil. Data is not 100 percent clear, but I just give it a try

Also I think it's good idea to give Vit C with the Vit E, and you get the Vit C if you give the glucosamine supplement I give my dog - Acti-Flex 4000 (really it's meant for horses). I think it's a good idea to prophylaxis bulldogs against eventual arthritis and hip problems. https://www.bigdweb.com/product/acti+flex+4000+solution+32+oz.do
It contains per oz ( I give 1/2 teaspoon daily ):
Glucosamine Sulfate 8,000 mg.
Chondroitin Sulfate 4,000 mg.
MSM 3,000 mg.
Ester C (Ascorbic Acid) 1,000 mg.
Yucca 150 mg.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) 125 mg.

 

[nellbell]

Wow! This will definitely give me some new strategies to try. May have to hold off on supplements until we have exhausted the elimination diet.

Trying to avoid another specialist (dermatologist) for my girl.

Thanks everyone!

 

[helsonwheels]

Wow! This will definitely give me some new strategies to try. May have to hold off on supplements until we have exhausted the elimination diet.

Trying to avoid another specialist (dermatologist) for my girl.

Thanks everyone!

Whatever you do, dont get overwhelmed with all these supplements. We will all advise you but there is NO need to start buying everything. Sardines in oil is still very good. I personally rather stick to real food. Fish oil is great if your dog has no issues with it. I personally like cod liver oil as its more potent as the oil is extracted from the liver and not from under the skin like fish oil. And a lot less expensive!!! (Costco).

 

[2BullyMama]

Wow! This will definitely give me some new strategies to try. May have to hold off on supplements until we have exhausted the elimination diet.

Trying to avoid another specialist (dermatologist) for my girl.

Thanks everyone!

The gang totally has you covered... keep us posted

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Wow! This will definitely give me some new strategies to try. May have to hold off on supplements until we have exhausted the elimination diet.

Trying to avoid another specialist (dermatologist) for my girl.

Thanks everyone!

By itself elimination diet won't solve the problem, as limited ingredient diets will make her immune system even weaker. I don't mean that you shouldn't do this, it is very important to find as low allergenic as possible diet, but on it's own even good diet won't kill staph and make fur regrow.
There are couple of absolutely necessary things that you should do - first is bacteria and fungi killing shampoo, or Nustock ointment, to create unfavourable conditions for staphylococcus. Second is fish oil, an absolute must. Third, some good dog multivitamin if you going to feed elimination diet. Rest is optional, I think.
There is no need to go to dermatologist. Many of our members had the same problems and have been to vets with it, and were prescribed similar shampoos- with Ketaconazole and Chlorhexidine. Shampoo is available on Amazon.