Senior Sheltie with itchy skin

Thanks so much for all the responses. He's really a sweet, sweet boy and no problem whatsoever. When we first got him and took him to the vet (it was for his ears) they mentioned he had staph but it wasn't contagious and they gave me antibiotics. I don't think they addressed it though b/c the rescue only authorized money to focus on his ears. I have gotten permission to go to the vet though for the skin since I sent the pictures.

I think he needs to wear the cone of shame b/c he's constantly itching! Get this, too. When we first got him, he had a horrible rash around his collar (and his neck was shaved so maybe some mild embedding of the collar) and I took it off and finally today I checked and the rash is finally gone. He had a lot of dead skin I had to scrape off when I bathed him today but he's soft and not crusty anymore!
 
dawns2shelties said:
I would say you probably need the vet to do a scraping of his skin, looks like Gypsy's staph does when it is mid outbreak, with staph they will need to find the right antibiotic by sending a scraping/culture out. Gypsy's vet has me shampoo her daily during an outbreak with Hexadine shampoo and we continue everyother day after that to keep it under control. We also use Amikacin 1% antibiotic spray on the affected areas 2x's daily until the sores heal. We have stopped oral antibiotics due to her KD disease. I would suggest a dermatologist if your vet isn't helping. He sure is a sweet old soul. I adore the seniors.

If he isn't gaining weight it could be thyroid related also. You may want to contact CISR she is always nice about giving advice, she may have some suggestions for you. They have treated many dogs with Thyroid and skin issues. What did the rescue you are fostering for say?
Click to expand...

He also has seriously thinning hair which I thought could by thyroid. I think the rescue needs to spend like $1000 getting him into shape! They said to take him to the vet but they only authorize $50 so it's limited for sure.
 
marymrumfelt said:
He also has seriously thinning hair which I thought could by thyroid. I think the rescue needs to spend like $1000 getting him into shape! They said to take him to the vet but they only authorize $50 so it's limited for sure.
Click to expand...

I would only be able to walk into the door of the vet's office for $50....poor guy.
 
danisgoat said:
I would only be able to walk into the door of the vet's office for $50....poor guy.
Click to expand...

Well, they did authorize more as I think the final bill was $65. I think it's a small rescue on a budget. With that being said, she definitely wants to get the skin issue taken care of because someone is interested in him! She wants to clear it up before he goes off. The potential owners are about 4 hours away so we just have to find a time to meet.
 
marymrumfelt said:
Well, they did authorize more as I think the final bill was $65. I think it's a small rescue on a budget. With that being said, she definitely wants to get the skin issue taken care of because someone is interested in him! She wants to clear it up before he goes off. The potential owners are about 4 hours away so we just have to find a time to meet.
Click to expand...

That's great news! It is so hard to permanently place senior dogs.
 
Here's hoping the family interested in him takes him permanently and that he gets this dreadful skin issue resolved.
 
I am not a vet, so any advice I can give is trumped by that of your vet. My experience with our dogs is that a few itches is quite normal and often due to dry inside air during the winter months. You obviously have a problem well beyond that. We also use "VIBRANT PETS" supplement with their food and that both prevents and cures a lot of both real and potential isssues - including skin problems. If the problem you are experiencing is indeed staph - that will be an issue for your vet to deal with. All the best to you and your foster boy. Regards, Will
 
Ahh he is beautiful. Our dog has ongoing itching but no scaling or crusty patches thank goodness. In fact she is going in to get her skin scraped pretty soon, thanks to advice that I have gleaned from all the forum members it is a hope that we might be able to get to the bottom of it all.

Good luck with puppy, that rash is nasty. Thyroid is always a consideration as the culprit. In fact Harper's itching has abated since we got her thyroid adjusted however, she is going through her itching phase again. One time it was fleas, then it was low thyroid, I know better than to say what now?


Best,
Kate
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top