weird little bald spots - looked at threads

[Kbryant]

Hi everyone. My Jake has little tiny bald spots on his back, just along his spine. He bites at them sometimes. I read many of the posts on mange and the pictures are nothing like my Jake's back so I don't think that's what it is. Also, I had to kennel him overnight last week and he looked so horrible when I picked him up. Eyes all red and very very droopy. After going home he perked right up after taking a long nap. Think it could have all been stress? Not sleeping enough? He LOVES going there for daycare so he's familiar with the people and place and had Cleo with him. I'm so worried because I have to kennel him for the second time - 3 nights this time so we can take a vacation. I'll take him to the vet but the last visit for Cleo resulted in $650 and an "I don't know" result. Just hoping someone here may have an idea. Allergies? If yes, how much testing is done? I'm so worried about leaving my boy. I just know it'll ruin our short vacation.

 

[Layla's Mom]

I just took my Layla to the vet three weeks ago for small pin-sized bald spots on her head. I thought it could be some form of mange or foliculitis(sp). Layla also had these spots under her chin and some red marks on her neck. The vet did a scraping and ruled out mange but did say she had foliculitis which was similar to clogged pores and she had allergies. The red marks on her neck were secondary staph infections from the allergies. He put her on anitbiotics and changed her food from Canidae to Hill's Prescription Z/D and it really has cleared it up--I did not like her being on the Hills and by the second week she refused to eat it so I have been switching her to Wellness Sweet Potato and Fish and she is doing well. With Jake's red eyes that you mentioned, it may be allergies--what kind of food is he on?

Taryn and Layla

 

[Kbryant]

He's been eating Canidae since I brought him home at 11 weeks but about a month ago, I began adding a 1/2 can of Pedigree canned food to entice him to eat in the morning since he's still underweight. I figured it was ok since he was eating the good dry food and I would never give him just canned food. Also, he gets a lot of treats of all kinds. Thing is, other than the recent bald spots, he seems fine except for that night in daycare. Actually, the other day after spending the day there he seemed red eyed and droopy again.. just not as bad as the overnight. Maybe I should switch his dry food....

 

[Layla's Mom]

Canidae also makes a canned food as I know that Pedigree has a lot of fillers that many dogs can be allergic to. I loved Canidae but I think because of it's multiple protein sources, it is hard to pinpoint what Layla is allergic to. You mentioned a lot of different treats--I would try to cut back to one kind of treat a week and then introduce the others one at a time as that may be causing something. Layla also goes to daycare and loves it! Every once in a while she will come home with a runny nose--almost like a cold and I always get nervous that it could be kennel cough or something but it usually goes away in a day or so. I know at our daycare, they have hay in the play yard. The reason I mention that is because I am very allergic to hay and it makes my eyes all red! Any chance of some kind of cleaner or something they use at daycare that could be bothering Jake?

Taryn and Layla

 

[matilda8255]

Sounds like Ringworm. I would go to the vet since you can get it too. It is nearly impossible to stop the spread of Ringworm in a kennel situation, if one animal is positive. We are fighting it at my house right now. Boo Hoo!
STephanie

 

[Kbryant]

I don't know if the daycare is using a cleaner or something that he may be allergic to but what a great suggestion as something to look into! Thanks for that! You're right about the treats - I should try one at a time. Thing is, he gets so much better at home. Or at least he did until these spots started!

I will check the feed store for Canidae canned food. I thought it was going to be a short term thing but it's the only way the little guy will eat inthe morning so I will definitely go look for the higher quality canned food.

Ringworm, huh? Ok, off to the vet we go!! thank you for the help! I really appreciate it!

 

[Oscar's Mom]

OMG ringworm!!! Oscar also has little tiny bald spots on his cheek. Can ringworm be transmitted to humans?
I guess that's another trip to the vet.

Myra

 

[sportygirl]

Before everyone panics about the spots on their beloved boxers check to see if your dog is scratching that area a lot. Ringworm has very round, scaly circles with a red rim. And yes it can be transmitted from your animal to you.

Most animals are exposed to ringworm but those with compromised immune systems are most prone, this includes very young or older boxers.

Best of luck and let us know what the vet says.

Kara and Tucker

 

[Oscar's Mom]

Kara, thanks for the reply. It's not ringworm then. There are no rings and he doesn't scratch it.
Phew (sigh of relief)

Myra

 

[Kbryant]

Jake must not have it ringworm either then. They are just small bald spots along the spine. Nothing scaly, no bumps whatsoever. Very weird. I didn't want to rush off to the vet since all they seem to do is test after test costing hundreds of dollars that do nothing but stress out my boy. I hate when there are no answers after putting my babies through blood tests and the like. I think I may just wait a few days and see what happens. If they get at all worse, I will definitely call the vet. I'm still very nervous about putting them in the kennel next week but I guess I have to or we'd never go on vacation. At least it's only 3 nights. I still think Layla's mom may be correct about the chemical or something like that at daycare. They are going on Wednesday - I will be very careful to check him out when I get him and ask questions if he looks red or droopy again. Thanks everyone!