Skin issues!

[Dogbull]

My 7 year old English bulldog has suffered moderate to severe skin issues his entire life (interdigital cysts mainly), but recently he has gotten horrible hot spots (we think) on both sides of his head, neck, and back.

He has been to several vets in the past and none have been able to help. We have tried baths with chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, Epsom salts, etc. He has been on prednisone, multiple antibiotics, apoquel, and many more medications. We have tried every dog food possible, including home made recipes. We have spent thousands of dollars and have not been able to find something to help. I am starting to think that he condition is worsening because of constant usage of past medications.

We are starting to feel helpless. If anyone has any input that would be great, or even a specialist that you would recommend.

Here are some pics

 

[Dollys Owner]

1)Start with honest kitchen grain free limited ingredient dehydrated raw eg Marvel (turkey and parsnip). Have you figured what proteins are ok?
2)Add coconut oil to diet.
3)Add a probiotic such as Herbsmith Microflora Plus.
4) Just in case he has mites use Nexgard for flea and tick protection since it kills mites.
5) Keep all hot spots shaved and apply Nu-Stock.
6) Continue to wash with chlorhexidine/ketoconazole shampoo eg. Ketohex or Curaseb once a week.
7) Give kelp https://www.amazon.com/Starwest-Botanicals-Organic-Powder-Pound/dp/B004XIS14M/ref=sr_1_9_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1505507724&sr=1-9&keywords=kelp
8) Give cetirizine 0.5mg /pound once daily + chlorpheniramine 6mg twice daily
9) After a few months if not working add Cytopoint injections by vet
10)Give sardines in water once weekly.

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Oh, damn, this poor baby is in trouble How long is it like this? Did they make scraps? What is vets diagnosis? Are they sure it's hot spots? Hot spots usually are quick and quite easy to treat. Bacterial? Yeast? Is demodectic mange absolutely ruled out? What antibiotics did they use? Did they already try Convenia ( twice a month injection of very expensive AB for skin infections) - in case he was diagnosed with bacterial infection).
Where in the US you stay? Guys can recommend you best known doctors ( if by any chance you are somewhere around Georgia, I know amazing doc in Atlanta).
Mostly I agree with Dollys Owner. Feed quality food with limited ingredients - one protein he can tolerate plus non-starchy veggies like beans.
Add necessary fats for skin health - coconut oil and fish oil or sardines.
Add some probiotic.
Nexgard - I also think this is very good choice, as what your bullie has actually looks like mange, and even if results are repeatedly negative, it still can be mange, so, just switch your flea/tick prevention to Nexgard, it is good medicine for fleas ticks and can help if it is mange.
The only thing I'm a bit wary about is washing at the moment, especially at his face where it's the worst, I'm not sure if it is good to wash him at the moment, as lesions shouldn't be wet. You can try to use Duoxo Chlorhexidine plus Climbazol mousse and later if his skin a bit improves, use Chlorhexidine plus Ketoconazol shampoo, my vet recommended me to wash even 2 times a week, and put shampoo on fur, let dog sit in the shower for 10 min covered in shampoo, then rinse.
also, have you tried Neosporin on lesions?
And yes, Nustock is definitely worth trying!

 

[Dogbull]

Thanks for the advice! I am going to give this a shot

 

[Dogbull]

The vet is coming back this week to test him! And I am not sure what antibiotic he is on this time but I will check. I am going to ask the vet about those shots. I am going to follow yours and dollys owners advice thanks!

 

[helsonwheels]

Vets cant do anything? Looks more than just hot spots. Needs a scrap for sure. Poor thing. Great advise above. You need to stick to it.

 

[Dollys Owner]

Also turmeric spice is good for practically everything including atopic dermatitis- add it to his food, start with 1/2 teaspoonful a day (with about 16 grinds fresh pepper to help it get absorbed).

 

[Dogbull]

Ok I actually already have some turmeric!

Question about the kelp powder, what dosage do you recommend I give him per day? I have been reading some different answers online

Also the only Honest Kitchen flavor I can find near me is Fish and Coconut or Duck and Sweet Potato, so hopefully that should be alright.

- - - Updated - - -

 

[Hankster]

Ok I actually already have some turmeric!

Question about the kelp powder, what dosage do you recommend I give him per day? I have been reading some different answers online

Also the only Honest Kitchen flavor I can find near me is Fish and Coconut or Duck and Sweet Potato, so hopefully that should be alright.

- - - Updated - - -

I know it's more expensive but i think i would try the duck. Dont remember why though ;? We do the base usually and add our own meat.. Gets to be a hastle when traveling so have added some acana kibble and also the turkey Honest Kitchen.

 

[Bendy]

Has he ever been allergy tested? It might be an environmental allergy. Do some research on neem oil i've heard its really good for treating skin problems.

 

[2BullyMama]

Oh, damn, this poor baby is in trouble How long is it like this? Did they make scraps? What is vets diagnosis? Are they sure it's hot spots? Hot spots usually are quick and quite easy to treat. Bacterial? Yeast? Is demodectic mange absolutely ruled out? What antibiotics did they use? Did they already try Convenia ( twice a month injection of very expensive AB for skin infections) - in case he was diagnosed with bacterial infection).
Where in the US you stay? Guys can recommend you best known doctors ( if by any chance you are somewhere around Georgia, I know amazing doc in Atlanta).
Mostly I agree with Dollys Owner. Feed quality food with limited ingredients - one protein he can tolerate plus non-starchy veggies like beans.
Add necessary fats for skin health - coconut oil and fish oil or sardines.
Add some probiotic.
Nexgard - I also think this is very good choice, as what your bullie has actually looks like mange, and even if results are repeatedly negative, it still can be mange, so, just switch your flea/tick prevention to Nexgard, it is good medicine for fleas ticks and can help if it is mange.
The only thing I'm a bit wary about is washing at the moment, especially at his face where it's the worst, I'm not sure if it is good to wash him at the moment, as lesions shouldn't be wet. You can try to use Duoxo Chlorhexidine plus Climbazol mousse and later if his skin a bit improves, use Chlorhexidine plus Ketoconazol shampoo, my vet recommended me to wash even 2 times a week, and put shampoo on fur, let dog sit in the shower for 10 min covered in shampoo, then rinse.
also, have you tried Neosporin on lesions?
And yes, Nustock is definitely worth trying!

1)Start with honest kitchen grain free limited ingredient dehydrated raw eg Marvel (turkey and parsnip). Have you figured what proteins are ok?
2)Add coconut oil to diet.
3)Add a probiotic such as Herbsmith Microflora Plus.
4) Just in case he has mites use Nexgard for flea and tick protection since it kills mites.
5) Keep all hot spots shaved and apply Nu-Stock.
6) Continue to wash with chlorhexidine/ketoconazole shampoo eg. Ketohex or Curaseb once a week.
7) Give kelp https://www.amazon.com/Starwest-Bot...c&ie=UTF8&qid=1505507724&sr=1-9&keywords=kelp
8) Give cetirizine 0.5mg /pound once daily + chlorpheniramine 6mg twice daily
9) After a few months if not working add Cytopoint injections by vet
10)Give sardines in water once weekly.

The vet is coming back this week to test him! And I am not sure what antibiotic he is on this time but I will check. I am going to ask the vet about those shots. I am going to follow yours and dollys owners advice thanks!

Agree with the above... and please keep us posted. Poor baby seems to have a nasty allergy and hopefully you can get him healed up with the help of the above advice.

 

[Dogbull]

Its been 10 days on the new food and supplements, as well as a antibiotic, antifungal, and steroid prescribed by the vet. Unfortunately he is getting worse. Last week the vet took a skin sample and is coming by later this week to take another look and discuss the results.

 

[2BullyMama]

Its been 10 days on the new food and supplements, as well as a antibiotic, antifungal, and steroid prescribed by the vet. Unfortunately he is getting worse. Last week the vet took a skin sample and is coming by later this week to take another look and discuss the results.

Sending healing prayers... i hope you get some answers fir your baby


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[Hankster]

i sure hope you get some answers this time... So awful to see our babies uncomfortable...

 

[Dollys Owner]

Kelp dose is about 1/8 tsp twice daily, good for vitamins and preventing plaque formation. I'm wondering if he could have an autoimmune disease like pemphigus, or even lupus. Vet should do a skin biopsy.