HELP...Itching, Hair Loss, Sores!

frecklesrfun

My 6 lb. toy poodle was 3yrs in August. This past April he began itching and scratching excessively to the point of loosing all hair at the joints on his front legs. The vet said allergies and put him on a low dose of steroids for the summer. He had little relief and hair loss got worse. Another vet said allergies and suggested continuing him on low dose of steroids as well as Atopica for 3 months. He also changed his food to a two-ingredient, protein and carb combo. He got better for maybe a month and the hair started growing back, but now is WORSE! His hair is thinning all over and he's still bald at the joints. (When he recently finished the last steroid dose I decided not to continue them. I don't know long term effects.)

Yesterday during his bath, his hair was coming out in my hands! I then noticed a weeping area on his chest as well what feels like a cyst under the skin on the other side of his chest with a smaller weeping area near it. (Im going to a vet tomorrow to check on the cyst but I'm not hopeful of any help.)

I don't know what is hurting my little guy! I read online about a product called Skineze, but I'm not sure about these miracle sounding products. Has anyone used this?

Does anyone have ANY suggestions or similar experiences that may help me to help him?

Thank you kindly.

MySoulmateEmmy

I am not sure what is the SPECIFIC cause of this or your dog's allergies, there could be many different reasons your dog has these allergy issues. food can be a big part of what causes allergies to get worse.Sometimes the food they changed works for a bit then something is triggered to make it come back, i am not sure why exactly maybe like they get immune to it after a while or it wasn't the right food in the first place and the steroids helped to mask the symptoms. make sure the treats you give him don't have something he is allergic to in them, cus then the whole point of a allergy free diet becomes silly :P

also make sure you haven't used any new products in your house or yard that could make his situation worse by irritating his skin. sometimes we don't realize that the new different product for cleaning (as an example) we used has an effect on the skin since we always use cleaning products on areas of the house.

use a mild soothing shampoo when bathing. oatmeal shampoos are mild and gentle on skin.

did you go to a specialist? a dermatologist? i am not sure if that is what you meant by "other vet". A dermatologist might help you figure out the direct cause of his allergies and help you with a better regimen for it.

also in fall is a big time when allergies show for dogs, after the first frost it might slow a bit, spring is also another heavy allergy season. not sure where you lie if you get frosts tho, or if he has shown heavy symptoms in winter either.

i hope you get some solution to give your pup some relief i can imagine how frustrating it is for him and you! good luck, let us know how he does!

~MSE

ScentHound

Cleo had all of those symptoms except for the sores. She has hypothyroidism and allergies.

The link below is an article about what Cleo has so you can compare it to what your dog is going through.

Thyroid Diseases: Hypothyroidism in Dogs

MySoulmateEmmy

Oh, I didn't even think of hypothyroidism. hair loss and itching is one symptom (doesnt mean your poodle has it of course tho but checking every venue is a good idea) air loss around the neck area is also very common. i forgot to ask if your Vet did any basic bloodwork? There is a blood panel that checks for all basic organ and blood functions as well as thyroid functions. Dogs with chronic allergies also have a lot of yeast buildup and often have chronic ear infections (can smell the yeasty smell from ears or skin) so keep an eye on his ears.

~MSE

pawzaddict

I think you need to see a specialist or ask your vet if it could be a thyroid. Personally I cannot imagine a vet not suggesting a T4 test with this situation...has your vet suggested anything else that maybe you did not want to do? Have they suggested anything to try that maybe you haven't?

ScentHound

There is no substitute for a professional opinion backed with education. As far as I know we have no Vets here, or at least they have not announced themselves as such.

That's what I would have thought also, but I went to 3 vets with Cleo until one finally offered the T4 test. Everyone of them said allergies and just kept shoving roids at her.

Freckles, in my opinion you should either see another vet, or a specialist. From what you stated the roids are not working. (no offense to anyone here) Vets are human, and their patients can not tell them where it hurts. Mistakes are made, both in veterinarian medicine and Human medicine. If I am sick and the treatment doesn't work, I see another doctor to be safe. I also do this for my animals when possible or needed.

Your choice but do not take any opinions as fact.

Mikey

Welcome to the forum! Everyone has offered some great advice so I won't add to it. Please keep us posted on how it goes!

frecklesrfun

Thanks for all the advice! I've only had my little guy see vets, no specialists yet. I asked the second vet about possible thyroid problems and he felt that my poodle was a little young for that (i've read it's usually between ages 4-10); however I will request a test anyway. There are always exceptions.

I've done some more research and I think the cyst is called a sebaceous cyst. And guess what? It is a possible side affect of the Atopica medication he was put on. So I will discontinue this and see about being referred to a determatologist. I've also considered trying one of two products I've found online today that state they are all natural and have great testimonies. It's so hard to know what to do. I just want him happy. He's our "only child."

I'm interested an any advice.

Thank you.

MySoulmateEmmy

let us know how the vet visit goes tomorrow!

~MSE

Sheltiemama

My sheltie, Scotty, has a low thyroid. He started itching really badly when he was 2. But he also has allergies of some sort. Many tests....no results....itchy dog.