Long overdue Sophie itchy update...

MNnewf

Inactive Member
Sorry this has taken me so long! For everyone who doesn't remember, we were having issues with itchiness.

We went to the vet and Sophie was diagnosed with a bacterial skin infection. They did a skin scrape and didn't find any sarcops or demodex. Sophie cried and screamed during the skin scrape because they needed red cells in order to detect sarcops.

She also has a bladder infection..ugh... She just finished her last dose of Clavamox (antibiotic) and we've also got her on acidophilus, a berry supplement and Vitamin C.

The itchiness has subsided a bit, but she's still scratching and we go back for another re-check on the 10th. She still has bald patches.

I'm not sure that the vet was all that thorough when diagnosing. I feel like the antibiotics haven't really helped that much. After our recheck I'm going to schedule an appointment with a different vet to get a second opinion. Things just haven't been going Sophie's way and it kills me to see her so miserable. Please hope and pray that she's feeling better soon.

Jill and Sophie
 

Liz

New member
Poor Sophie and poor you! I hope all your troubles clear up soon. Gee - that skin scrape thing sounds terrible. I wonder why they can't just draw a little blood with a needle?
 

MNnewf

Inactive Member
Thanks Liz! I think the reason they can't draw blood with a needle is because they need skin cells along with it, and they need it from the exact location(s) of irritation. Just a guess though, maybe I'll ask next time.


Jill and Sophie
 

Ivoryudx

New member
Poor little girl! Was she like this before you got her, or has it just been since she's come into your home?

Can you see any new hair growth? I would put a flea control on her, just to rule that out. There are many times we never find a flea, but some dogs are more sensitive than others.

What type of crate do you have her in? Plastic can sometimes cause irritation, so a plastic crate might too.

What do you feed? Is it the same as what she had at the breeders?

Maybe others can help brainstorm for other things.

Susan
 

MNnewf

Inactive Member
Hi Susan! I've been tryin to brainstorm here too... She has a wire crate, but the tray on bottom is plastic, hmmm... She's not eating the same food as what the breeder had her on because I won't feed a Purina product. She is eating Wellness Chicken, but we may be switching to California natural, a much simpler food...less things to cause a problem. The vet doesn't think it's food related though.

I just want her to feel better RIGHT NOW! Is that too much to ask??? :confused: Yeah, I know it is...but I just hate seeing her so itchy!

Thanks again!
Jill and Sophie
 

Ivoryudx

New member
Hi Jill,

I would start with a flea control, like advantage, or whatever the vet recommends for a puppy of her size, and remove the plastic pan from the crate. I know with puppies the crate pan is important, so you should try and find a metal one, or even try to line it with a piece of plywood cut to size.

I would also consider putting her back on the food that she had at the breeders. Even though its something the vet thinks may not be causing the problem, and may not be a quality food, there could be something in it that helped her...I'd try anything at this point....

If she was diagnosed with a bacterial skin infection, was there any redness or open sores? Does it look like the hair has come off due to the itching or is the hair coming out because of infection on the skin? What did the vet give you for the itching? You mentioned the Clavamox, but I would say that was more for the UTI than the topical skin irritation. Did he give you any special shampoo or tell you to put her on any Derm Caps/fish oil or anything?

Susan
 

bevicrocker

New member
:( Poor Sophie, I hope she is feeling much better real soon. I will keep her & you in my prayers. Nothing is worse than when our babies aren't well & sometimes we feel so helpless.
 

macgirl13ca

New member
My regular vet didn't find the demodex either, I ended up taking Bubba to a specialist. They did a VERY deep scrape, I couldn't watch, too much red for me,
but Bubba was a star didn't complain once
. I would get a second opinion if I were you, if possible go to a vet that specializes in dermatology. It was expensive, but well worth it to make my baby feel better.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
 

MNnewf

Inactive Member
Sorry, forgot to mention, we're doing Pyoben baths every 3-4 days as well. I've also been using an aloe spray to cool her off on her tummy.

We started out with Cephalexin, but switched to Clavamox because of the Bladder infection. I got a recommendation from my horse vet to go see a different vet for Sophie (did that make any sense?). As soon as I follow up with my vet on the 10th, I'm going to make an appointment to see him.

It looks to me like her hair is falling out more from the incessant itching than from the infection itself. I can actually smell the infection though...you know that sick smell... poor girl.

I'm going to start with taking the plastic pan out of her crate. She hasn't had an accident since the Bladder Infection cleared up, so I think if i just cover the bars on the floor with a blanket we'll be fine. Any other ideas are appreciated! thanks!

Jill and Sophie
 

newfvo

New member
Jill,

There is a topical spray called Relief, that does not contain cortizone and has worked wonderfully to relieve the itchy irritation that one of my Newfs gets every year. It is a relatively new product made by DVM Pharmaceuticals which I got at my vet clinic.

It isn't a cure nor does it address the underlying cause but it does provide immediate, albeit temporary relief.
 

janices

New member
Well, I read a little further. If there's a smell you may have another infection, not staph infection, yeast infection. Yeast infections can be especially itchy, there is hair loss, and the newf has this smell to them.
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
Sorry to hear about Sophie and her itchiness! My lab is allergic to shampoos and conditioners, even though I have tried all brands. She would get terribly itchy. I finally stopped using any shampoo and just rinse her now with clear water and she has been fine. It took about 3 "rinses" after a shampoo to get it all out until the itching stopped. It seems you have tried everything else and this would be an inexpensive and easy experiment to try to help her.
 

Newfs Forever

New member
MNnewf,

I am opting for the food allergies. Dexter had 5 hot spots going on at the same time. My allopathic vet elected for antibiotics. Helped a little but they started up again when we discontinued the antibiotics.

Finally, I took him off of the food I was feeding him at the time. He has not had the problem with the hot spots since. In this case, he is/was allergic to lamb.

HTH,

Sue
PS. He also was very itchy.
 
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