Back from the vet....

[doxielady5569128]

It is just Porky's allergies acting up again.  The vet said his lungs sounded slightly raspy, but it was most likely caused by allergies.  The two most concerning things were again, Porky's teeth (since he's a lick-a-holic he is getting little hairs stuck in his gums)     and his lymph nodes are very enlarged.   The lymph node swelling is from the inflammation in Porky's teeth.  Porky was able to get his shots today and we have a new allergy routine.  Porky now has a prescription shampoo we are to use once a week, his feet have to be washed with gentle soapy water every time he comes in from outside.  Also he is going to be on benadryl every 8 hours for at least the next 3 weeks.   Also he is on 1000 mg of fish oil daily instead of the 500mg he was on.   If his allergies are still acting up in 3 weeks, the vet may consider a prescription allergy medicine for Porky and we may add even more fish oil.   

I brush Porky's teeth daily, he has the stuff you put in their water, plus he has treats that "clean" the teeth, but its not doing much good.   Any ideas on how to get him to stop paw licking, belly licking, toe licking,ear licking, etc????   I have tried everything.  He loves the taste of the bitter apple stuff plus it gives him a rash when I put it on his paws.   Short of scolding him when we catch him doing it, we are low on ideas.    If he keeps licking like this he will loose his teeth!!   :crazyeyes: 

Thanks for everyone for the extra rays and prayers you all sent.   Now I'm just hoping all this extra stuff we will be doing for the next month will help control the allergies.   We can't afford too many vet bills until I'm out of school and/or Justin finds a job.   I can't afford to buy the ultra expensive food anymore and the vet said Porky should be fine switching to a cheaper brand for a few months.  I feel really guilty that we can't afford the best food for Porky right now, but his vet bills this year have been crazy!!

[papbouv]

Nurtured Anti Lick Strips check out the web site Nurtured.com suppose to be a new product that keeps dogs from licking ? If Porky likes to play fetch wear him out throwing the toy or ball since being outside causes problems allot of dogs lick because they are bored.Also get a trick book from the Library start teaching him tricks if he is doing something with his mind he cannot lick a good dog is a tired dog.Exercise Exercise may keep him too tired to lick?Will ask around on DT Doberman Talk too see is if they have any ideas too Smooth coat Dachshunds have about the same coat as a Doberman.?
Sending more Rays to Porky Hugs to all.Papbouv

[doxielady5569128]

Great idea.  I'll have to check out those strips as soon as I get a chance.   The vet thinks the licking is because of the EXTREME itching and not from boredom.  I think its a combination of both.  With Porky's "dad" out of work he gets lots of playing fetch and playing chase, but we are hoping for some warm weather so we can get out and walk in the park again.   

[papbouv]

Just checked on DT Doberman Talk the only thing they suggested was the dreaded E-Collar,Dermatologist,Kong with treats in it to give him something else to do you can freeze them too takes longer to get the treats out.
Was thinking about what you said maybe he is allergic to the special food ? they sometimes can build up allergies to a food that they have been on awhile.Might try to feed raw know monies is tight but you might not have to get that much since Porky is a little dog?Allot of people on DT are rich in comparison to us they feed there Dobermans raw less coat problems no teeth problems the bones knuckle bone clean teeth really well as long as it is raw.They even feed chicken bones as long as they are raw seem to have no problems heck they even feed puppies raw.We are both on Social Security Disability now so not much monies coming in but I still feed Taste of the Wild one 33# bag last a whole month with Buddy & Patches.It is sometimes cheaper in the long run to feed higher quality food than some of the cheaper brands you do not have to feed as much.
I about had a heart attack my kids are feeding Diesel there Bulldog Beneful Harvest then they wonder why Diesel has been having ear infections.and skin problems guess they do not mind the vet visits.That food is junk I told it has sugar in it no meat it has corn,soy flour and that gluten stuff.Sorry I did not come up with something that might help.

[papbouv]

Did you look on Mother Apple Cider Vinegar we site allot of information there about skin problems Mothers Apple Cider Vinegar.com

[doxielady5569128]

No need to apologize!!  I appreciate you asking around for us.    Porky is doing better today after his bath, extra fish oil and round-the-clock benadryl.    I wish I could dream of affording a better food for Porky right now, but when we have literally nothing coming in for income, its kind of impossible to afford anything too special.   The vet was pretty convinced that dust and mold are our allergy culprits, but we're going to try and get an allergy test done this spring.   We are doing all that we can afford to do right now for Porky's allergies, but it is frustrating me that we can't do better for him.  I'm just glad the extra medication and fish oil seem to be working for now.   

Justin has an interview today, so we are hoping that he can get this job.   :xfinger:   Its just a preliminary interview, so we're hoping for a callback at this point.   

[peterparker]

dis is Parker: Porky you needs to fweel better soon an get back to being your rascally self. 

[cheryl186]

I am glad to hear that it is just Porky's allergies acting up again and nothing more serious!  I wish I could offer you some input on the licking...but I am at a loss.   It sounds like you have a good plan in place and your Vet is really trying to help!  More healing rays and prayers on their was to you and Porky Pie

[papbouv]

Hope the job will work out know they are hard to come by these days more Rays & Hugs to all.Patches Buddy & Papbouv

[Teresa]

I about had a heart attack my kids are feeding Diesel there Bulldog Beneful Harvest then they wonder why Diesel has been having ear infections.and skin problems guess they do not mind the vet visits.That food is junk I told it has sugar in it no meat it has corn,soy flour and that gluten stuff.Sorry I did not come up with something that might help.

You are right to almost have a heart attack papbouv! Randy and I quickly learned that food is a huge culprit with bulldogs ears and skin. They have a huge tendency to develop problems with yeast and any foods with a high grain content will really set it off. We switched Molly to Wellness and it made some difference, but now she is on Nutro Ultra Weight Management and is doing even better. My plan is to eventually go to a grain-free, I just have to do my research and find one that isn't too high in calories! Look up the information on Bulldogs and yeast problems and you will be amazed. Print it out and give it to them (if you can get by with it). They will thank you later.

[papbouv]

Hope you do not mind copied your post about Bulldogs & Grain sent it to the kids at least now I hope they will learn I'm not picking on them I do know my dog foods.Heck have been reading dog food labels for years & years now feeding Taste of the Wild switch between the Bison & the Fish one they do not seem to like the Fowl it is grain free Patches gets 1/8cup am& pm Buddy gets 2cups am & pm no skin or ear problems. You can also check out this web site www.dogfood analysis.com I think it is a great site to check out dog foods.
My older sister also feeds that stupid Beneful to her Boston Terrier ear infections all I hear is that food you feed cost too much well at least I do not have vet bills either.Poor Spike the Boston weighs about 43# he is way over weight has been for about 5years now.Told my sister if she would read the dog food bag label Beneful has sugar in it no wonder he likes it & is over weight I e-mailed Beneful asking why their food has sugar in it they said it was for energy???Will get off my soap box for now.