Crusty & Scaly Skin - Allergies or Infection? (Pics)

rbourque314

New member
Jun 25, 2016
77
5
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USA
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Lincoln
linc.jpgIMG_E0916.JPGIMG_E0914.JPG

Hello all,

My poor Lincoln, who is 2.5 years old, has something going on with his skin. I can describe the spots as crusty/dry and scaly (see photos). They don't seem to bother him all that much and are not red/itchy, but they are causing hair loss and excessive shedding.

I have been using this shampoo for the past few weeks with little to no improvement - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037Z6VK8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have also switched him from Kirkland brand food to Zignature fish/seafood as it has a much more limited ingredient profile (no potato). It has only been 2-3 weeks so it may be too early to tell if it's helping or not. I have also been giving him a Zyrtec on a daily basis. My breeder suggested to switch to a chlorhexidine gluconate based shampoo and antibiotics as she believes it is most likely a staph infection caused by allergies. I am going to be taking him in this week but wanted some additional feedback on what could be going on or things I could try.

Thank you.
 

helsonwheels

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Jan 10, 2016
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Alberta
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Canada
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Nyala, Jake (R.I.P. Duke)
View attachment 113694View attachment 113695View attachment 113696

Hello all,

My poor Lincoln, who is 2.5 years old, has something going on with his skin. I can describe the spots as crusty/dry and scaly (see photos). They don't seem to bother him all that much and are not red/itchy, but they are causing hair loss and excessive shedding.

I have been using this shampoo for the past few weeks with little to no improvement - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037Z6VK8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have also switched him from Kirkland brand food to Zignature fish/seafood as it has a much more limited ingredient profile (no potato). It has only been 2-3 weeks so it may be too early to tell if it's helping or not. I have also been giving him a Zyrtec on a daily basis. My breeder suggested to switch to a chlorhexidine gluconate based shampoo and antibiotics as she believes it is most likely a staph infection caused by allergies. I am going to be taking him in this week but wanted some additional feedback on what could be going on or things I could try.

Thank you.

Yes get the test done!

I had same issue with my white face Duke. Had all these test done but in his case was his immune system that was weak which you see this often under 18months old. Since heā€™s been on raw it slowly disappeared.

Keep us posted plz....
 

Lalaloopsie

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Apr 18, 2016
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Cape Town, SA
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Belarus
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Tank
Staph infection most probably. Go to the vet, ask to make a scrape for staph, mange. Itā€™s quick. For staph you will need antibiotics and shampoo with ketoconazole and Chlorhexidine. Fish oil and probiotics are a must for his diet.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Staph infection most probably. Go to the vet, ask to make a scrape for staph, mange. Itā€™s quick. For staph you will need antibiotics and shampoo with ketoconazole and Chlorhexidine. Fish oil and probiotics are a must for his diet.

Totally agree! ^^^^ @rbourque314
 
OP
rbourque314

rbourque314

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Jun 25, 2016
77
5
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USA
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Lincoln
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Staph infection most probably. Go to the vet, ask to make a scrape for staph, mange. Itā€™s quick. For staph you will need antibiotics and shampoo with ketoconazole and Chlorhexidine. Fish oil and probiotics are a must for his diet.

Totally agree! ^^^^ @rbourque314

Thank you both for the reply. Do you think I should take him straight to a dermatology specialist (we have one in my area) or my regular vet?
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,580
3,669
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
Thank you both for the reply. Do you think I should take him straight to a dermatology specialist (we have one in my area) or my regular vet?

Regular vet should be fine... staph is caused by a weaken immune system, usually from allergies.
 

Dollys Owner

Active member
Feb 20, 2017
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24
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Canada
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Honey
Agree with all above- start dog on a probiotic such as Proviable DC, Probiotic Miracle, Herbsmith Microflora Plus, or live sauerkraut from refrigerator section of health food store, or milk kefir.

Manuka honey is great to put on staph infections if you have any in the house, to tide you over till you go to vet.
 

oscarmayer

Have Bulldog Will Travel
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Jan 20, 2016
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VA
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Lala, Chesty, Winky, Waggles, Moose, and rescue Peggy(soon to be placed)
Staph most likely. Does not look like mange. Mange usually starts on head, front legs or chest area and slowly migrates towards back.
 
OP
rbourque314

rbourque314

New member
Jun 25, 2016
77
5
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Lincoln
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  • #9
I think staph is definitely the consensus, including my breeder. She recommends cephalexin for 4-6 weeks, coupled with chlorhexidine baths. I am taking him in on Saturday for evaluation/treatment. In the meantime, I will start adding some ACV/yogurt/salmon oil to his food and continue giving him a daily Zyrtec.
 

1Chumly

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Feb 19, 2015
2,911
693
Houston, TX
Country
From England
Bulldog(s) Names
Buster 2013-2023 Monty 6/2010 - 1/2020 Chumly 2002-2014
View attachment 113694View attachment 113695View attachment 113696

Hello all,

My poor Lincoln, who is 2.5 years old, has something going on with his skin. I can describe the spots as crusty/dry and scaly (see photos). They don't seem to bother him all that much and are not red/itchy, but they are causing hair loss and excessive shedding.

I have been using this shampoo for the past few weeks with little to no improvement - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037Z6VK8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have also switched him from Kirkland brand food to Zignature fish/seafood as it has a much more limited ingredient profile (no potato). It has only been 2-3 weeks so it may be too early to tell if it's helping or not. I have also been giving him a Zyrtec on a daily basis. My breeder suggested to switch to a chlorhexidine gluconate based shampoo and antibiotics as she believes it is most likely a staph infection caused by allergies. I am going to be taking him in this week but wanted some additional feedback on what could be going on or things I could try.

Thank you.

What was the outcome? Did the vet give anti-biotics, if so what and doseage? Monty has a spot on his side but it isn't itchy. Thanks
 
OP
rbourque314

rbourque314

New member
Jun 25, 2016
77
5
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USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Lincoln
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
What was the outcome? Did the vet give anti-biotics, if so what and doseage? Monty has a spot on his side but it isn't itchy. Thanks

I just received a call back from the vet today. They ran a culture and it is a bacterial infection (not yeast related). They wanted to do a culture test to determine which antibiotic would be the most effective. He will be on cephalexin for the next 30 days, along with chlorhexidine gluconate baths 2-3x a week. My breeder also recommended a bleach rinse after each bath (4 tbsp. bleach to 1 half gallon water) poured over him. I have been seeing improvement with just the baths so far so hopefully with the antibiotics, he will clear up. I am also supplementing with 1200mg salmon oil and yogurt/ACV in his food everyday.
 

1Chumly

Well-known member
Feb 19, 2015
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693
Houston, TX
Country
From England
Bulldog(s) Names
Buster 2013-2023 Monty 6/2010 - 1/2020 Chumly 2002-2014
I just received a call back from the vet today. They ran a culture and it is a bacterial infection (not yeast related). They wanted to do a culture test to determine which antibiotic would be the most effective. He will be on cephalexin for the next 30 days, along with chlorhexidine gluconate baths 2-3x a week. My breeder also recommended a bleach rinse after each bath (4 tbsp. bleach to 1 half gallon water) poured over him. I have been seeing improvement with just the baths so far so hopefully with the antibiotics, he will clear up. I am also supplementing with 1200mg salmon oil and yogurt/ACV in his food everyday.

Glad he is improving. I checked Monty again today and it hasn't changed so will wait to see what happens. Thanks.
 
OP
rbourque314

rbourque314

New member
Jun 25, 2016
77
5
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Lincoln
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Glad he is improving. I checked Monty again today and it hasn't changed so will wait to see what happens. Thanks.

Do you happen to have any pictures of Monty's condition? Curious to see if it looks similar.
 

1Chumly

Well-known member
Feb 19, 2015
2,911
693
Houston, TX
Country
From England
Bulldog(s) Names
Buster 2013-2023 Monty 6/2010 - 1/2020 Chumly 2002-2014
Will take one later today when I am home.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 

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