Any ideas what this is?

[scats]

I do a dog regularly for teeth and the owner messaged me asking if they could bring her for an anal gland check as she has lost all the hair on her hind legs and tail and the vet can’t give them an answer.

Glands needed clearing but I was shocked to see how bad her skin looks.
Apparently she had a water infection at Christmas which was cleared up with antibiotics and she has been tested for mites and it’s not that. Vets have scanned her kidneys to check everything is fine and taken bloods, which haven’t shown anything.

Ideas? It seems a bit more than a dermatitis type thing to me, but that was my first thought.

 

[Sandstone1]

Needs to see a dermatologist. Could be lots of things.

 

[Goldie's mum]

Is there broken hair on the bald bits - like bristly ends where she chewed it, or is the hair coming out cleanly?

Is there any loose hair round the edges of the bald bits that also wants to come out if you pull it gently?

The skin looks thickened. Is the rest of her skin thicker than you'd expect?

Is she drinking more water than she used to?

What is her breed & age?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If her kidneys etc have been found to be fine, I would look at her diet.

 

[skinnydipper]

If her anal glands are full, could she have been licking round the back end to try and relieve the discomfort?

Has thyroid been checked? I had a dog with hypothyroidism who lost the hair on his tail, rat tail.

 

[Goldie's mum]

If her anal glands are full, could she have been licking round the back end to try and relieve the discomfort?

Has thyroid been checked? I had a dog with hypothyroidism who lost the hair on his tail, rat tail.

That's why I was asking about thickened skin & thirst.

 

[Clodagh]

If her anal glands are full, could she have been licking round the back end to try and relieve the discomfort?

Has thyroid been checked? I had a dog with hypothyroidism who lost the hair on his tail, rat tail.

I was going to suggest thyroid.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Have I got this right? A vet has seen this and not managed to come up with anything? Have they suggested skin scrapes, blood tests all the usual? Surely a vet wouldn't send an owner away with the dog just saying they don't know what it is? Would the vet not do the anal glands too? Ours usually does the odd time it has been a problem. Poor little mutt, it does looks quite sore doesn't it.

 

[skinnydipper]

Has thyroid been checked?

If it hasn't, tell the owner to ask for complete thyroid function test and not just TSH.

 

[scats]

They take her to the local PDSA vets. She’s a cavvie KC, sweet little dog. I only do her teeth every few months, I don’t groom her. I think they just home bath her.

I asked them to keep me updated anyway.

The skin is definitely thickened around her legs. I was suprised the vets hadn’t checked her anal glands as a matter of course.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

They take her to the local PDSA vets. She’s a cavvie KC, sweet little dog. I only do her teeth every few months, I don’t groom her. I think they just home bath her.

I asked them to keep me updated anyway.

The skin is definitely thickened around her legs. I was suprised the vets hadn’t checked her anal glands as a matter of course.

I see - that is probably why the vet isn't invested in further treatment, I am guessing they can only offer basic healthcare because of funding constraints. Surely this would be classed as very necessary care though, poor pooch can't just be left to suffer. Very sad situation.

 

[Boulty]

They should probably ask if it would be possible for a skin scrape and possibly hair plucks & impression smears (although doesn’t look “wet” enough to make good smears tbf) to be done. These require minimal equipment and should usually be within the scope of a charity practice.

Would also advise them to do the basics like making sure flea treatment is up to date (ideally with a pharmacy strength product that also treats mites, the absolute ideal would be one that is known to treat demodex mites although I only know of 2 that are reliable for this and both require a veterinary prescription to acquire), that they haven’t recently started using any new cleaning products and that they’ve not done a recent diet change.

The absolute ideal would be to see a dermatologist but that obviously comes with a cost.

 

[Umbongo]

Cushings?
I think they need to do a few more tests to rule other diseases out and/or refer to a dermatologist.

 

[misst]

That skin is dreadful. Are they sure it isn't chronic mite infestation? Flea allergy?? What ever it is the poor dog must be very very uncomfortable. I realise the owners might not have much money but surely the dog deserves better than this? Is the dog on any treatment at all? Some basic skin bathing stuff and if it is super itchy, steroids? I am not a vet but if that were a person they'd be at a specialist and on "holding" treatment in the meantime to make them comfortable.

 

[Spotherisk]

Food. What are they feeding, are they feeding treats (people lie about this, they ‘forget’ the toast in the morning etc).

If the dog is on a poor food it might affect the anal glands.

I would suggest the dog moves onto a grain free food, with absolutely no treats at all. Best case scenario the skin clears and the anal glands stay clear too, worst case you’ve paid for a better food for a month.

 

[Jenko109]

There are so many things that it could be.

They need to have skin scrapes done.

This is not acceptable and should be considered a welfare concern.

 

[scats]

Thanks all for your thoughts. The dog is under a vet so all I could do was suggest they go back or get a second opinion from somewhere else.

It’s difficult as a groomer when presented with things like this. Believe me, my job can be heartbreaking in ways you probably wouldn’t believe.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Could it be a reaction to something they are using indoors like washing powder ?

I think its so severe I would be going to a specialist of some sort I think.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Could it be a reaction to something they are using indoors like washing powder ?

I think its so severe I would be going to a specialist of some sort I think.

I think the issue is that as the owners are using the PDSA it is quite possible they simply haven't got the funds to pay for further tests or even treatment.

I hope I am not assuming too much about the owners circumstances but it's the only logical reason for lack of treatment I can think of. Does anyone know what the PDSA's protocol would be in this sort of situation? Are there any other charities that could help.

I feel like raiding my pension to offer some help myself if that is possible

 

[SOS]

The PDSA can only provide certain diagnostics and treatments and it seems this may fall outside of that scope. They just simply can’t afford to pay for everything, also bearing in mind their system is heavily abused by some - not saying this is the case at all here. If pet owners can afford it this is where insurance may help to cover more options.

However the PDSA should have been able to express anal glands if that had been a suspected cause?

What teeth cleaning does this dog have?

 

[scats]

However the PDSA should have been able to express anal glands if that had been a suspected cause?

What teeth cleaning does this dog have?

I did query that, but apparently the vets didn’t suggest it and the owner didn’t think at the time.
She comes for a basic maintenance teeth clean about every 4 months.

 

[SOS]

I did query that, but apparently the vets didn’t suggest it and the owner didn’t think at the time.
She comes for a basic maintenance teeth clean about every 4 months.

Probably wasn’t on their list of potential diagnosis' then. It’s a sad situation as this dog needs further veterinary help for its skin and CKCS are not known for their good health so it may have future issues.

This is not going to go down well but if the teeth cleaning is using a scaler it’s highly advised against if not under anaesthetic. If it’s using a brush, once every four months isn’t going to make a difference. If they potentially stopped coming in for this treatment perhaps it could free up the cash for insurance for future issues? It would not help with this issue as it’s already pre existing.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/a-statement-on-anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures-for-cats-dogs/anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures.pdf

I am not trying to take business away from one and give to another however it’s difficult to hear these stories. Not long ago I witnessed a kitten die of flea anaemia as the owner (and breeder) had heard they couldn’t get flea tx off the PDSA and had tried everything off the shelf and holistic remedies, including taking the kitten to a groomers for a bath. If the owner had sought advice from any vets the cost of a prescription flea tx would have been far less than all of the above, the infestation would have ceased and the kitten wouldn’t have died.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have seen one dog, many years ago, who had similar skin thickening. In her case it was caused by an extreme flea allergy and she used to worry at the front of her hind leg from the stifle down almost constantly. It was horrendous to look at. The owner did eventually get on top of it with aggressive flea treatment.

 

[scats]

Probably wasn’t on their list of potential diagnosis' then. It’s a sad situation as this dog needs further veterinary help for its skin and CKCS are not known for their good health so it may have future issues.

This is not going to go down well but if the teeth cleaning is using a scaler it’s highly advised against if not under anaesthetic. If it’s using a brush, once every four months isn’t going to make a difference. If they potentially stopped coming in for this treatment perhaps it could free up the cash for insurance for future issues? It would not help with this issue as it’s already pre existing.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/a-statement-on-anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures-for-cats-dogs/anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures.pdf

I am not trying to take business away from one and give to another however it’s difficult to hear these stories. Not long ago I witnessed a kitten die of flea anaemia as the owner (and breeder) had heard they couldn’t get flea tx off the PDSA and had tried everything off the shelf and holistic remedies, including taking the kitten to a groomers for a bath. If the owner had sought advice from any vets the cost of a prescription flea tx would have been far less than all of the above, the infestation would have ceased and the kitten wouldn’t have died.

It’s an ultrasound brush and costs them £15 for a half hour session every 4 months. I don’t think that’s going to free up much cash.

People have their opinions on groomers teeth cleaning but I always refer animals to vets if what I see is beyond what my brush can do, or if there are loose teeth or evidence of gum disease. What I offer is cleaning for healthy mouths to stop low level build up happening before it gets too bad.
But I’m not here to discuss teeth cleaning.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Just to clarify scats, I appreciate that your input here isn't in anyway related to the work you have been able to do on this little dog, and thank goodness you at least are doing something to help.

Just your natural concern for an untreated condition and what direction or suggestions people might be able to put forward I would imagine.

I feel for you, so frustrating to see this sort of thing and be unable to offer owner any way of helping the dog due to obvious reasons I would think. I bet you see similar on a regular basis as pet owners suffer the consequences of huge rise in cost of living.

 

[scats]

Just to clarify scats, I appreciate that your input here isn't in anyway related to the work you have been able to do on this little dog, and thank goodness you at least are doing something to help.

Just your natural concern for an untreated condition and what direction or suggestions people might be able to put forward I would imagine.

I feel for you, so frustrating to see this sort of thing and be unable to offer owner any way of helping the dog due to obvious reasons I would think. I bet you see similar on a regular basis as pet owners suffer the consequences of huge rise in cost of living.

Thank you. Yes I understand people on here will explore different avenues and perhaps I’m a bit sensitive at the moment.

I have cried over dogs in my job, it can be heartbreaking.

 

[AmyMay]

If your clients have carpets in the home could it be a dust mite allergy?

 

[scats]

If your clients have carpets in the home could it be a dust mite allergy?

They have recently moved house so I might mention this to them.

 

[Lamehorses]

Have seen something a bit like this, the dog was allergic to the new nylon carpets

 

[Landcruiser]

"The vets haven't been able to give an answer" or a variant of this is something we hear often at our vets. The trouble is, often there is no "answer," but there's a protocol, a pathway to diagnosis and treatment or more likely ongoing management of what are often lifelong skin conditions. If the owners here have no money, then that's a problem, because even flea treatment costs, and that's the most basic thing of all. Ongoing skin meds can be ££££, and sadly, lots of animals don't get the treatment they need for that reason. I think that the vets involved are stymied by lack of funds, not lack of willingness or knowledge to help this poor dog. They can only treat what the PDSA/owner can pay for, sadly.