Itchy, Scaly and Raw Skin

[LoveDoxies]

Poor Sadie's skin has been itchy, scaly and raw all year. She's already had about 5 cortisone shots plus antibiotics, countless shampoos, rinses, and potions. 

She gets a little bit better every time she gets a shot but it wears off and then we're right back where we started. She's also losing hair in the places where some of the crusties are trying to heal. The vet has her on a food trial right now "Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet: Sweet Potato and Venison. Last week she looked like she was finally getting better and then yesterday we discovered that she licked herself raw around her private parts and tail. So I'm taking her back to the vet again this week.

Other than that she's fine. She eats well, is friendly, loves to nap and play, potties well, her weight is healthy, eyes and teeth look good. She's 4 now. She limps off and on - apparently a luxated pattella but because it's not really bothering her, the vet doesn't see a need to fix it.

We used Tide Free on her blankets and bedding just in case it's some form of contact dermatitis.

Any ideas?  Could a thyroid disorder cause this? Could it be Cushings? if it's just allergies, do allergy shots work?  :scratch:

I attached some pics of her problem areas.

Any suggestions/comments are appreciated.

[Kathleen]

Has your vet tried a skin scraping? :thinik:   It doesn't look like anything I've seen before-poor baby looks very sensitive.   

[LoveDoxies]

Yes, she was checked for mange and then they did another scraping to check if she has bacterial or fungal skin infections. Mange test was negative and skin infection test showed staph but only little to no yeast. We have another wiener dog and he does not have any skin issues so it does not appear to be contagious.

[Roberta]

What age is Sadie, Emma our first had those lumps............small benign tumours.
I was told this year that cold tea gets rid of itchies. It did help Ollie, he has grass allergies. I brewed a pot with tea leaves not bags . Another old one is a paste of bicarb soda , so also cold tar soap. They do use a product on horses Quit itch might be worth a try it does say for dogs to, antiseptic to, if Ollie gets itchie to-morrow I will try it and let you know.
She could be hypothyroid, but that is usually more than itchs.

hope she is better soon, its no fun watching them when they are not well
Roberta

[papbouv]

I would not use Tide at all have read where Tide causes problems I would use something like Dref for human babies.
Get some Greek Yogurt plain about a teaspoon a day for a little while.
Then get some Vetericyn I used it on Buddy with the Yogurt he healed up in about a week.You can find it at a horse supply place you can use it on dogs,cats,horses.
If you are going to a regular vet you some times save monies in the long run by going to a dermatology vet.
Good Luck

[LoveDoxies]

Took Sadie back to vet for more testing. Her regular blood panel work came back fine so no cushings disease or thyroid issues. Vet put her on another round of antibiotics plus a low dose of anti-fungal medicine. We also had them test her for allergies. We won't know the results of that for another week or so. The meds improved her skin by a little bit but then I saw the post about vetercyn and ordered it.  It arrived a couple of days ago.  I've used it on her 3 times so far and it has made a huge difference in her skin already. Hopefully it will keep working. 

Thanks for all the info.

Sadie's mom

[papbouv]

Try the Greek organic Yogurt plain for a Dachshund a teaspoon would be enough I used it along with the Vetericyn I also grain free food Taste of the Wild + Salmon Oil capsules from Wal Mart have not had any skin issues until Buddy scratched the hair off the left side of his body ? just the left side not the right side??? goofy dog. Then at the same time he licked his feet raw all four had raw spots that's when I used the Greek Yogurt & the Vetericyn he was healed up in about a week of course it took longer for the hair to grow back in.Good Luck. we never went to the vet except once to try the skin scraping,blood test,antibotics that was expensive so could not afford to go back to the vets.PS forgot might try baby wipes with the Aloe Vera in them fragrance free just a light wipe down after going out side in case she is getting into something outside bought mine at the Dollar store so not expensive. again Good Luck.

[papbouv]

Watced Dr Oz the people doctor on TV today he was talking about how Coconut Oil was great for skin problems do not see how it would hurt a dog if it was rubbed in well ?