Strange Skin Problem?

[Louie's Mom]

So my parents have a 5 year old boxer/lab mix and he has a bad skin problem.
We have tried shampoos, and different flea meds, we are putting a supplement in his food now that is supposed to build up the imunity system, it seems to be working but it might just be that it is now fall.

It is really bad in the summer, it looks like he gets flea bites maybe - they are swollen bumps from the back of his head to his nubby tail and he pulls the hair out all around the bumps- he chews himself really bad and his skin gets scabby sores and his skin smells. this is only in the summer he grows his hair back in the fall and only has a little scabs until summer starts up and it starts to get worse again.

So we thought it was mange at first but since we have had him he has lived with our other dogs and they have never gotten it. so I don't think its mange
we put him on different flea medicines and he has no fleas at all but he sleeps outdoors in the summer so maybe they are biting him and jumping off because he has the bug poison on him ?
He is going to the vet next week.
Oh, he gets raw and he chews and licks inbetween his toes too.

Has anyone else had this?
thanks

 

[Macon's Mom]

Poor baby!My doggies don't have the bumps all over their backs, but they both chew and lick their paws. They both have allergies. Have you been to the vet for this issue yet? Dogs can have allergic reactions to fleas too, not just food and pollen. Sending slobbers your way....

P.S. Don't let the paws get infected from too much chewing or licking.Angel has had to get an antibiotic for doing this. GoodLuck!

 

[dawn1]

Have them also ask about fly bites.

We live near a lake and certain hours during the day in the summer.
I cannot let my dog outside....they bite him up bad!
He gets the bumps like you are mentioning.
I hurry get him back indoors though...

 

[Indy B's Mom]

It could be allergies or an infection of some sorts (like staph). D-mange is not contagious from pet to pet, so I wouldn't rule it out based on the other dogs not getting it. Your best bet is to take him to the vet to find out what is causing it. Poor thing, Ty and I are sending lots of healing vibes-please let us know how everything works out.

 

[mmichaelson]

I would check demodex mange. That is what it sounds like to me. It's genetic, and not contagious, which would explain why the other pups do not have it. Take your baby to the vet for some skin scrapings, they can diagnose right there.

 

[pluto1415]

Did you ever get it figured out? My in-laws had a lab that had a systemic yeast infection and caused his hair to fall out in patches and his paws got really red & swollen (ears too). Maybe it's yeast?

 

[Louie's Mom]

Took him to the vet yesterday

Yes, I did find out .

The vet called it hot spots, he said that its bacteria and the dog chews it and spreads it, he didn't do a skin scraping because he was so sure of what it was, he put the dog on antibiotics and another type of pill for itching and he said that it ought to clear right up
- is that a type of staff infection?

 

[courtney323]

So we thought it was mange at first but since we have had him he has lived with our other dogs and they have never gotten it. so I don't think its mange

Demodectic Mange is not contagious, so it doesn't matter if other dogs have it or not. It is a (hereditary) immune system problem. You might want to have the vet do a skin scraping.

It sounds as though it really could be allergies though. Rather than pumping him full of antibiotics, special shampoos, etc.. you need to find the cause of the problem. Is it environmental or food-related? The easiest (and cheapest) way to test this is to examine what type of food he's being fed, and perhaps switch to a premium quality formula with minimal ingredients (and as few grains as possible). What is he eating?

 

[hflan24]

Staph Infections

Yes, I did find out .

The vet called it hot spots, he said that its bacteria and the dog chews it and spreads it, he didn't do a skin scraping because he was so sure of what it was, he put the dog on antibiotics and another type of pill for itching and he said that it ought to clear right up
- is that a type of staff infection?

I HATE hot spots! My lab gets them often. The only thing we can do for her is bath her and keep her coat clean. Have you tried fish oil supplements? If you do, make sure to get the good kind with anchovie, mackeral, sardine. It makes their skin healthier and coat shiny. I don't think hot spots are staph. Staph comes on like little pus like blisters that pop and spread. My Lab/Rott is actually going in tomorrow to have bloodwork done because he's had 2 in the past couple of months. My other 2 kids don't have it tho!

 

[courtney323]

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