[Lori Z]

He is stinky and having some hair loss on his ears. His skin is peeling under his thighs and belly but his legs are fine. I thought for sure he had an ear infection because he smells so badly. He did not. January 4th I have him scheduled for blood draw to test for protein allergies. Both vets at this point think he might very well have a food allergy because of the long time bowel problems along with his skin issues over the last 3 years, he turned 3 on Dec. 14. I was prescribed Atopicia for his symptoms. I hope, hope, hope it helps. Neither vet feels it is thyroid, he is young, he doesn't present with any thyroid symptoms except dry skin which they believe is allergy related. I am having him tested for the proteins and then if nothing comes of that I will have him tested environmental allergies. Of course treatment will depend on what shows up. If it is environmental I might try the injections and hope he is the 50% it works on. However at this point that is a leap because who the heck knows. His stools are firm again which is good. I will do allegry testing before thyroid. I don't think that's it either. If he hadn't always had these problems then I would look at that but since he started out having ear infections from the first week I had him, I just don't think it is it. I can rule it out if this doesn't work of course.

He just smells bad . I washed all his bed covers and the blanket that covers his section of the couch. Luckily it is a leather couch and I cover his spot or I'm afraid he would have to be banned from it because he would make it smell. I have been washing his stuff weekly. I am using the same detergent and softener I have always used. This morning my bedroom smelled so icky. I have never had a stinky dog before, not like this. Vet really thinks it's allergies and if the Atopicia works as planned it will take care of the smell. He is active, playful, his normal self as he doesn't seem to care that he stinks. He isn't real itchy but I have been giving him zyrtec so maybe that is helping somewhat. I will stop giving him that when he gets the Atopicia. I have to pick it up on Tuesday.

Boy if we could find a protein or something like he was allergic to it would make life so simple but I don't expect to be so lucky. Anyway this is the update, Eli is better and has gained weight back, 85lbs as of today but not 100%. My stinky boy. I don't even like the nickname Stinky.

 

[DreamValley]

So sorry to hear about Eli skin issues.

Did you read about yeast infection?
The ears infection is the first sign of it. Yeast smells horrible.
Here is the article from Nzymes company:
Read about Yeast Candida & Leaky-Gut in Dogs or Cats - and How NZYMES can help!

I am not confident about Nzymes product but GreatDaneLady has lots of knowledge and I like her articles.

Did you test him for mites?

 

[Lori Z]

The vet said it wasn't yeast and said his ears were not infected at all in fact they looked very good. I will check out the article though. I have been to her site several times and like it. The vet didn't think Eli smelled as bad as I did nor does my husband. *rolling my eyes*. I really don't want to give him anything until we test and see what is happening. I am going to try the Atopicia first (he is on slippery elm and an herb supplement for bowels.). Plus he gets probiotics. Oh and he gets apple cider vinegar (several drops) on his food every other day. I don't think he has mites, it hasn't been mentioned and his tummy is peeling, not itching. I didn't think to ask about mites. Maybe I will mention it at the next visit. My house smells like dog, I don't how else to describe it and I have never ad a home that smells like that. Three aussies and two mixed breeds in the house for years and never smelled them. Eli, Eli, Eli.

So sorry to hear about Eli skin issues.

Did you read about yeast infection?
The ears infection is the first sign of it. Yeast smells horrible.
Here is the article from Nzymes company:
Read about Yeast Candida & Leaky-Gut in Dogs or Cats - and How NZYMES can help!

I am not confident about Nzymes product but GreatDaneLady has lots of knowledge and I like her articles.

Did you test him for mites?

 

[dax0402]

Thanks for the update. Poor Eli.

 

[LindaH]

Lori, are you taking Eli to a dermatologist? I think you are wasting your money if you are not. I have read over and over the blood tests are not worth much, that you really need to do the skin tests for a decent result. Has anyone suggested an elimination diet to you? I am sorry you are having so much trouble with Eli's skin, so frustrating. Again I recommend Natures Variety Instinct. I have had two people tell me NVI is the first dog food their dog could eat successfully. I wish you success with him soon.

 

[monicaei]

Good luck. My sisters weim had/has serious allergies (not smelly, but broke into hives so bad they would bleed). I second the vote to get to a dermatologist. It's expensive, but the money they wasted BEFORE going just compounds the actual total. Good luck, and I'm sorry you guys are going through this.

 

[Lori Z]

The vet did suggest a dermatologist. I asked him aboiut scratch tests and he said they don't really do that, however this was not "my" vet but one of the associates so maybe I'll call and speak to my vet before we go the blood test route. They do have a couple they recommend. I guess I need to do some research. I'll check our Natures Variety and see. I thought a blood test could tell if he was allergic to certain proteins, no? Seriously, what a pain. I am anxious to try the medicine though. Cross your fingers it works.

Lori, are you taking Eli to a dermatologist? I think you are wasting your money if you are not. I have read over and over the blood tests are not worth much, that you really need to do the skin tests for a decent result. Has anyone suggested an elimination diet to you? I am sorry you are having so much trouble with Eli's skin, so frustrating. Again I recommend Natures Variety Instinct. I have had two people tell me NVI is the first dog food their dog could eat successfully. I wish you success with him soon.

 

[DreamValley]

Demodex is not itchy and skin may be peeling.
Did your vet mention seborrhea?

Allergy is tricky but I have never heard hot spots were smelly unless it's too bad secondary infection involved.
Maybe you should rule out mites and seborrhea and yeast infection first?

I would suggest allergy food trail but Eli has issues with his digestive system... it may impact his overall health. Also food allergies are not common in dogs. They suffer mostly from environmental allergies.

 

[LindaH]

I just wouldnt pay anymore money to someone who isnt a specialist in what is wrong with Eli and doesnt really know what to do for him. If he recommended a dermatologist, he was telling you Eli's condition is beyond his expertise in his own way. I repeat, I have read numerous places the blood tests are worthless, that skin tests are the way to go. Dr Dodds also does a new test from the saliva swab, like a DNA, but it is limited in what it tests for. She is working on expanding it now. You might email her or check her site as the expanded tests were supposed to be after the first of the year, I am thinking. Cant give you site addy as on phone. But number one thing is to go to a dermatologist and not waste money on a blood test. Eli's condition is serious enough to warrant it. You need to get to the bottom of it as soon as you can. Thank goodness the Zyrtec is working. If Parker was that bad, he would be at a dermatologist. I have already found out my vet is not much help for allergies.

 

[LindaH]

I have had a couple of dogs with demodex, one was severe. She didnt itch and her skin never peeled. She did develope an odor, but she was practically bald and her skin was turning blue. There is a simple test for yeast, I am assuming your vet did that since he said Eli didnt have a yeast problem, he would have severe itching if he did anyway. A dermatologist would be the one that would say whether or not to do a food elimination test as part of their diagnostics. Skin issues are a dermatologists speciality and the quickest way to get to the bottom of them instead of throwing different things at the problem and hoping something sticks. This is what he deals with everyday.

 

[DreamValley]

If Eli is not itchy I am puzzled... Linda are not allergy symptoms include itching?

Dryness, scaling, peeling are all symptoms that can occur when a dog has skin parasites.
Skin peeling can be a result of bacterial infection.

A visit to a dermatologist will be a good decision.

 

[the_discowhore]

So sorry to read about Eli's skin issues, I really hope you can get this all worked out for good! No advice here, but sending healing vibes to your boy.

 

[honda123]

I just wouldnt pay anymore money to someone who isnt a specialist in what is wrong with Eli and doesnt really know what to do for him. If he recommended a dermatologist, he was telling you Eli's condition is beyond his expertise in his own way.

You need to bring your dog to a specialist. Is there a University near that has a DVM program?

 

[LindaH]

DV, Eli was itching before he started getting the Zyrtec, which makes it sound like enviormental allergies, but he could also not be eating something he is alkergic to. Am thinking Lori changed his food. Parker has both types of allergies and my old girl before had only food. There are so many varibles, it would just be quickest and cheaper in the long run to get to someone that specializes in skin conditions. I am so glad he is not itching any more.

 

[Lori Z]

Thanks guys. I will call this week and get a referral to a skin docta. I have no desire to spend more money at my vets office only to be referred in the end. I agree if the vet suggested a specialist it is because he doesn't know exactly how to treat Eli. I assumed (apparently incorrectly so) that a blood test was what they did. So on to a specialist. He smelled better yesterday, BTW. Strange. We had rain and very cold temps the last two nights into the 20's. Maybe whatever he is allergic to is going dormiant. I'll see about getting an appointment in January with a dermatologist. I was trying to avoid traveling but I guess I'll have to.

 

[EmilyB]

He will have to be off all medication for three weeks before skin testing can be done.

Good luck, I hope you can find out what is causing him so much grief.

 

[dobegal]

Roxy was having alot of skin problems that lasted for several months. I do not recommend the blood work insteach go with the skin scrapings. Blood work is a newer way to test however skin scrapings are old and more reliable IMO.

 

[LindaH]

Lori, you should start a log/diary on his condition now. Record everything about his condition and how the symptoms change. Like you just told us, without your opinions, just like you stated in your last post. I would start w/history and be sure to include how he was ok when swimming in salt water. I would also have your vet fax his records to the dermatologist before your appointment. Put in what he eats each day, when you wash his bed, your clothes, clean floors, etc., while trying to keep it short, blunt, and relevant. Good luck and be sure to keep us informed!

 

[bean]

I thought hair loss on the ears was a sign of thyroid issues? No?

I know he's young, but I know that I've read of young dobes diagnosed with it. Certainly less so than older dogs but I have read about it here for sure. I know you're throwing a lot of money at him right now but why not just do the thyroid panel anyway?

I am really, really, really hoping you find something out from the dermatologist. I hate to hear of the struggles you're having with your sweet guy.

 

[dax0402]

Thanks guys. I will call this week and get a referral to a skin docta. I have no desire to spend more money at my vets office only to be referred in the end. I agree if the vet suggested a specialist it is because he doesn't know exactly how to treat Eli. I assumed (apparently incorrectly so) that a blood test was what they did. So on to a specialist. He smelled better yesterday, BTW. Strange. We had rain and very cold temps the last two nights into the 20's. Maybe whatever he is allergic to is going dormiant. I'll see about getting an appointment in January with a dermatologist. I was trying to avoid traveling but I guess I'll have to.

I went the regular vet route for almost 2 years with Baron's skins problems around his eyes and finally didn't want him on antibiotics and benadryl anymore which wasn't solving the problem. Wish I would have gone to the dermatologist sooner. Even though the dermatologist is expensive, I could have saved myself some money on things that were not working. I am lucky that we have a great one in our area. Only 40 minutes from my home. Like someone else stated, Eli will have to off Benadryl, etc. for 3 weeks before the skin tests. I hope you get to the bottom of this because I know what you are going through. It is tough seeing them so uncomfortable.