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Question

Mostly in entire rump area near tail, under arms and under chin, also on front arms and paws. Possible seborrhea is in buttocks with scaly areas, some "dandruff" on top, near the "seborrhea". Some redness under arms where she is constantly scratching, no hair visibly falling, coat looks good, no empty spots.

Submitted: 331 days ago via ThePetCenter.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 6; Female; Breed: Cocker Spaniel, American

Already Tried:
antihistamines, antibiotics, Aveeno colloidal oatmeal baths, changed food to chicken stews, omega oils and vit.C and bonemeal, natural ointments, seawater baths, Revolution for possible scabies. Today we start Douxo shampoo and spray and D/Z canine ultra, advised by our vet.

Posted by DrAndy 330 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Hello,
I am sorry to hear about the skin problems. I have a Cocker myself.
You have certainly been through quite a few treatments. It certainly sounds like a primary allergy problem.
Few things:
1. Food allergy. To really assess if food is the culprit, we need to change the protein and carbohydrate entirely. Most foods contain beef, lamb, or chicen and most foods contain rice or corn. So, you need to do a diet like Vension and Potato, Duck and Potato, or Fish and Potato. You also need to do it for at least 3 months to assess any improvement. The most popular prescription food for this is Science Diet D/D which comes in all 3 flavors.
By the way, when you start, you cannot give a kibble of anything else. Nothing else other than the food.
2. Atopy or Environmental allergies. You can actually do a blood allergy test called the VARL panel which can help you identify if there are bad allergies to things like weeds, grasses, trees, etc..
With these results, your pet can actually get allergy injections, just like a person, where you learn how to give the desensitizing injections yourself.
3. Treatments
No question, you are going to need some steroids to help out this skin and get some initial relief. You should also consider a medication called "Atopica" or cyclosporine. Excellent medication that affects the immune system response to allergies and works wonderfully. Don't forget, if there are any active infections, which there usually are on the skin, your vet should prescribe an oral antibiotic and possibly antiyeast medication. Love the Douxo shampoo is a complement to other treatments.
That should get you off to a good start
Hope that was helpful
Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

329 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Dear Dr. Andy, thank you for your answer, this is similar to my vets answer with the difference that she hasn't suggested steroids because I am adamant against them. Everything I read says steroids will do more damage than good in the long run. Perhaps that is why she is doing the Douxo and Douxo spray, to try to get some relief for the dog. I am doing that right now. I am very concerned that the dog is not overmedicated, she is now taking: revolution for scabies, oral Comfortis for fleas and the Douxo shampoo for "seborrhea". In fact we are trying things to see if we hit on it. Also, the vet has recommended the antiallergenic food D/Z and I have started to whean the dog from the chicken stew she has been eating for two months. Do you know of any topical balm that I can use in the most itching areas?: under arms and under chin. By the way does Atopica potentiate the inmune system or depress it? Thank you, XXXXXXXXXX

Accepted Answer

I think you mean Z/D diet. It is the top of the line for addressing food allergies.

Steroids, when prescribed properly by veterinarians, and used properly by clients, can be incredible. In addition, they are not intended for long-term use, unless all other treatment fails and owner's cannot afford other therapeutic options. Certainly, the goal is to keep them comfortable.

For the medications you are already giving, I am not at all concerned about overmedicating.

Here are a few links I thought would be helpful.

 

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/atopy-in-dogs/page1.aspx

 

http://www.us.atopica.com/indexConsumer.shtml

 

In addition, you need to be careful with the armpits and underside. Once the excessive licking, sractching or chewing causes a secondary infection, then you may have no choice but to start antiboitcs and/or antiyeast medications. Better to nip this in the butt now.

 

Betagen spray. This is a spray with Gentocin (good topical antibiotic) and a steroid. You can use as needed and great for areas of irritation and possible infection.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can help. There is also a over-the-counter Benadryl ointment you can try.

 

Hope that helps.

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Expert: DrAndy
Pos. Feedback: 99.8 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 12/28/2008

Veterinarian

UC Davis graduate, Canine and Feline emphasis, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics

329 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Dear Dr. Andy, many thanks for your help and also for the additional websites. Maribel 824

Posted by DrAndy 329 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

You are welcome.

Again, I have a Cocker myself and know how challenging allergies can be. Good Luck with any treatment plan you pursue. Have a nice day.

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