Does anyone know....

Q

Queenbee87

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.....of any vets specialising in skin problems for dogs in the NorthWest?

One of our dogs is a rescue (lab crossed with something) and suffers from a skin problem which gets worse over the summer. We have tried all sorts of things- been to vets who did allergy tests and came up with a concoction to inject once every couple of months. This lasted for a few months but she then went back to normal. We have also tried various lotions, shampoos, tablets too. Her bedding gets washed regularly in non-bio washing powder (she also has regular baths) There was no improvement/ change when we moved house and now have laminate flooring throughout the whole downstairs (she isn't allowed upstairs) instead of carpet.

Aside from it being very uncomfortable for her, she is an embarrassment to take for a walk- she rubs herself along the floor, stops to scratch, rolls to scratch her back! People must think she has fleas- think I need to make a sign!

Has anyone else had a dog with a similar problem?

Forgot to add, our other dog (a terrier cross of some sort) has none of these problems.

Wine and ice cream for getting this far (well it is Saturday night!)
 
I'll ask my dad in a second, could that be a cause for the itching? It appears to be all over, not just one area.
 
One of my GSds that had terrible itchy skin was referred to a vet in Frodsham, near Warrington who was a skin specialist. Not sure if you can make an appointment with him or if he is just referrals, or if he is still there for that matter, it was a while ago, I will see if I can find his name if it is any use to you.
 
MurphysMinder said:
One of my GSds that had terrible itchy skin was referred to a vet in Frodsham, near Warrington who was a skin specialist. Not sure if you can make an appointment with him or if he is just referrals, or if he is still there for that matter, it was a while ago, I will see if I can find his name if it is any use to you.
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That would be fantastic if you could please. Frodsham is only about half an hour away from me.

Thank you :D
 
Hypo thyroidism can lead to various auto immune responses, constant skin irritations, allergies, prone to ear infections, anal gland infections, and so on. Auto Immune Thyroiditis is easily diagnosed. Generally in the US many vets would check thyroid function first as well as a skin scrap. Here it seems to be the last thing they check and only then under pressure.
 
From Dr Jean Dodd's paper on hypo thyroid dogs. Common signs:-

DERMATOLOGIC DISEASES
dry, scaly skin and dandruff
coarse, dull coat
bilaterally symmetrical hair loss
"rat tail" or "puppy coat"
hyperpigmentation
seborrhea or greasy skin
pyoderma or skin infections
myxedema
chronic offensive skin odor
 
cefyl said:
Hypo thyroidism can lead to various auto immune responses, constant skin irritations, allergies, prone to ear infections, anal gland infections, and so on. Auto Immune Thyroiditis is easily diagnosed. Generally in the US many vets would check thyroid function first as well as a skin scrap. Here it seems to be the last thing they check and only then under pressure.
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Thanks for this, I'll mention it to my dad when he comes in and if it's not been checked I'll get him to ask the vets when he goes.

Murphys Minder- Thank you, I'll pass this on and keep you all updated with her progress :D

(I'd put pictures on here but don't know how to get them off my phone to pc!)
 
Polly's thyroid gland hasn't been checked by previous vets but as it is a seasonal problem I don't think it will be that causing the problem? It's something to bear in mind for the future though :D
 
Queenbee87 said:
Polly's thyroid gland hasn't been checked by previous vets but as it is a seasonal problem I don't think it will be that causing the problem? It's something to bear in mind for the future though :D
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"Seasonal" means that there will only be more stimuli to auto immune response at periodic intervals. The underlying problem will be there 24/7 365 days but it will take certain stimuli to trigger a visible reaction. Just like hay fever in a human your sensitivity is ever present to the danger of pollen but as the trigger factor of certain plant bloom is often present only spring / summer you do not suffer 12 months of the year.
 
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