Chloe is really sick :(

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Cedars

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Hi guys. Sorry I haven't posted in here in a while.

Chloe is really sick-she's going totally bald :( in less than 24hours shes lost about 30% of her hair, is itching like something posessed and is hugely red and inflamed.

She's totally naked now around her bum hole, in between all her toes, a huge patch on one back leg, in both armpits. She's running a temperature (not huge but high enough to warrant anti bs) and is feeling so sorry for herself. The hair is literally falling off her.

The vet has prescribed malaseb shampoo (which I have done today), a huge dose of steroids and anti biotics and we are back on tuesday. Praying they'll work soon because our poor girl is so uncomfortable and itching like mad.

Any ideas what on earth it could be?? What's concerning me more I suppose is that she's been pretty bald on the ear since we've had bracken home, and we've put it down to him chewing on her, but it can't be that-but the fact that she has been bald for a while on her ear and in between her toes suggests that it's not a huge allergic reaction to something she's touched?

We've not changed snything recently except she has had some Harrigtons Sensitive treats from Waitrose.. But i just don't think they'd cause this.

So worried for my girl. Will try to get some photos tonight. Any thoughts appreciated. Xxx
 
Meh :( do rule out a parasite or extreme allergic reaction. Also cone her and/or give her a huge bone to keep her occupied/stop her chewing or scratching. If you have to stand over her all day clapping your hands or distracting her to stop her working at herself, do it. Also put some aloe vera gel on the hotter spots to ease the heat.
 
Almost 100% certain it isnt-she's bang up to date with her Advocate, was wormed with Milbemax about three weeks ago, and it normally starts on the face and she's not got any there?

She's always very dry skinned and flaky. Feel so awful :(
 
She is doing better at the itching now she has had the bath-but will give her a big bone when I get in and can supervise.

I also dont think it's mange because bracken doesn't have it at all.

I wonder whether maybe she has had an allergic reaction to something in the water in the lake yesterday-but then bracken went in up to his tummy and is fine, and her ear was bald before hand? Hmmmm...

:(
 
You could also query cushings or a thyroid problem or an immune system problem. Don't judge against your other dog, my fella reacted to things which did not have any impact on his own litter sister.
 
No advice, sorry - just to say that I'm really sorry to hear that she's poorly like this and I hope she feels much better soon.

P
 
I think this is definately a case where I would be wanting blood tests and skin scrapes. Most dogs carry mites but some only show symptoms when the immune system is under attack/being taxed, so don't think because the pup does not have any signs it's not a certain aliment.
For example we have had demodex and sarcoptes infested mutts (rescues):p and none other has been affected and one is much more contagious than the other.
If u see little improvement I would think your vet will investigate further
 
They have said that if it hasn't cleared up by Tuesday, then we will be going down the skin scrapes/allergies route (can feel the vets bill now...:( ). Just going to take some photos now.

Thank you all for the support, I can't stop crying tonight, how many damn problems can one dog have? I feel so awful that we bought her, ignoring her awful breeding...feel like this is all my fault she's had such a painful life =[
 
This is her ear... really blurry, sorry, but you can kind of see the lack of hair, and its really scaly and scabby.

SAM_2641.jpg


This is her bum (sorry, what an attractive photo.....!), you can see that its about 2/3cms less hairy than it should be

SAM_2643.jpg


And this is her back legs and a bit of her tummy

SAM_2644.jpg


You can see all the pink, the patches of total hair loss etc... =[

xx
 
She's not too itchy tonight and is sleeping quietly so im hoping her calmness will continue. She's still boiling to touch though. Will see how she is in the morning.
 
Sorry to hear about Chloe, my Wire Fox Terrier has just gone through 12 months of this and we now have it under control ( thank-god )

Badger had identical symptoms that Chloe is having, hot skin etc

In summary he is very sensitive to mites, vet said most dogs would not react but unfortunatly he suffers.

Anyway cost me £120 for all the bloods and skin tests and medication is £44 ( body wash called Aludex Demodectic ), depending on the results may require a repeat in a couple of weeks.

Badger has been wearing a small rug which reduced his scratching and we used Dermoline Horse shampoo - this improved his skin by 80%, vet was amazed by the results but still recomended we try the medication to finally put stop to all scratching.

Good luck and fingers crossed nothing too serious!!
 
Hi meandtheboys, thank you for your first hand experience and I'm pleased that badger is on the mend! Poor soul.

I will take your experience to the vets with me and see what they say. God they must hate me and this forum-I always turn up armed with situations they would never have thought of!!
 
Our previous lancashire heeler had an auto immune condition, it came on really quickly and she was quite ill. Lost hair off her belly, legs and face, her mouth became swollen and she had a high temperature and wouldn't eat. It was thought she had SLE but tests proved negative. She was treated with steroids(plt) and we thought she would be on them for life but it quickly came under control and she was taken off the steroids. She lived a long and happy life and was nearly 15 when we lost her.
Not saying it is an auto immune condition but would mention it to your vet, whatever the problem try not to worry, hopefully it will be easily treated.
 
MM, thank you for your reply thats really interesting. i will bear it in mind!

Chloe is better today, well, still bald but she's more herself and her skin is much less red (although she's still very puffy around her nipples). She doesn't seem to be losing much more hair, although perhaps a bit, but she's playing with Bracken and seems better in herself. So whether its the bath, the steroids or the anti bs, I don't know, but I suppose we can find out when she goes back for tests. Hope it continues! xx
 
Glad she is better today, its so worrying when something like this comes on so quickly.
I use Malaseb shampoo on my dog, he's never had anything as extreme as Chloe's symptoms but he does get very pink and sore skin from time to time. I find the shampoo really helps, hope she continues to feel better today x
 
Just gone in to the dog room to take her out for last wee to find that she has weed in her bed. Significant wee too, not a dribble. Seemingly no attempt to move from her bed, which she normally does if she's on her own too long?

Really worried now. Will give her benefit of the doubt til tomorrow, then back to the vet. :(
 
Poor girl...try not to worry too much (easier said than done I know!)
It might well be the steroids causing the weeing.

Hope you get some answers at the vets tomorrow.
 
Yeah, steroids and anti-biotics can both increase wee-ing, it's almost a compulsion, it just comes out. On the floor. When you'd just popped out to the kitchen to grab a beer. Been there x
 
Steriods in particular can cause urinary incontinence, I'm guessing they gave her a fair whack as well to try and calm her reaction? This is likely the cause.
 
Hi guys. Thank you you calmed me down enough for sleep!! And she has been clean through the night.

Not sure what dosage of steroids but she's having 6 tablets a day so that must be quite a lot I guess!

Totally ruined that damn bed though..!
 
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