Overly precautious vet?

[DiNozzo]

I want to start by saying we will be following the vets instructions to a T.

However, are they being overly cautious?

18 month old Yorkshire terrier has small scratch near his willy (castrated). Pretty sure, but not 100% he scratched it clambering through some heather. Did it 2 weeks ago. Seemed to heal well over the next week. Weekend after, goes to the beach, and has a similar scratch (could be an extension of the first). Since then, it hasn't healed. It'll look better for a few days and then look quite pink, and then better again. He does occasionally lick at it, but has otherwise been unbothered, and doesn't lick more or less at the site than normal.

Took him to be groomed (bathed and trimmed) and the lady described it as a rash. I think it's been inflamed by whatever she sprayed him with (smelled like cheap air freshner) and his bath. Area around scratch now looks angry and slightly puffy.

Took him to the vet today and she's prescribed prednisone, antibiotics and cone of shame for a week. Is this not a bit much in combination?

 

[Equi]

I’d say it’s fairly standard treatment given the history.

 

[DiNozzo]

Fair enough, just seems a lot of drugs for a scratch!

Our last dog was incredibly precious and never scratched or injured himself except by launching himself and pulling his back. So I am really out of touch. This one is a wild 4x4 type terrier who is into everything, so I guess I'd better get used to it.

 

[Clodagh]

I would ask the groomer not to use artificial rubbish on him again.
But the vet does seem cautious, but they are ticking g all the boxes so you probably won’t need a repeat visit.

 

[DiNozzo]

I would ask the groomer not to use artificial rubbish on him again.
But the vet does seem cautious, but they are ticking g all the boxes so you probably won’t need a repeat visit.

Yes, absolutely! I'm assuming it was an accident since she's usually uses very gentle stuff, and he comes back with a spritz of lavender, but she didn't mention it. I will next time he goes, because he otherwi

 

[rara007]

I was expecting you to say she’d taken bacterial cultures and put up 28 days worth of treatment.
Sounds very standard what’s been done. Presumably if you’d thought a bit of hibi would fix it you wouldn’t have gone to her.

 

[DiNozzo]

I was expecting you to say she’d taken bacterial cultures and put up 28 days worth of treatment.
Sounds very standard what’s been done. Presumably if you’d thought a bit of hibi would fix it you wouldn’t have gone to her.

Like I say, fair enough! Think its the steroids that have thrown me, ABs and cone seemed sensible, but the steroids wouldn't have been given a decade or two ago - the last time I had a dog who would injure themselves like this.

 

[rara007]

Funny, steroids for inflammation and/or itching is considered pretty old school.

 

[Roxylola]

Are you in an area where there is Alabama rot? There have been a few diagnoses of it relatively close to me and it genuinely scares me. Id want any vet to take any unusual (as in not just healed as expected) skin issues really seriously

 

[DiNozzo]

Are you in an area where there is Alabama rot? There have been a few diagnoses of it relatively close to me and it genuinely scares me. Id want any vet to take any unusual (as in not just healed as expected) skin issues really seriously

There were two cases in a 50 mile radius to me 4 years ago according to this:

Live Map of Cases | Check Your Location | CRGV | Alabama Rot

There is a possibility there are environmental triggers for Alabama rot. Find out reported cases near you by looking at our live map.

www.alabama-rot.co.uk

Vet didn't mention it and I expect if they were worried they would have?

 

[Roxylola]

That's good, it's just something that's at the back of my mind these days although tbf there haven't been recent cases near me either when I checked. It wouldn't hugely worry me especially at this time of year, just thought it might make a vet super cautious

 

[MurphysMinder]

Funny, steroids for inflammation and/or itching is considered pretty old school.

I agree, I was given steroids for dogs with itching 20 plus years ago. I think OP you are still thinking of this as a scratch when it sounds as if it has developed into more than that.

 

[Nasicus]

Sounds about right. The cone especially, he's probably just licked it into something more than a scratch.

 

[DiNozzo]

So he went back today for a checkup on the scratch (which had healed perfectly two days after he went).

Vet was surprised there was no scarring, thickening or marks left and actually looked on the wrong side. Skin looks perfect. Asked lots of questions about his wellbeing and how well he tolerated the drugs. Was pleased he was fine except the inordinate amount of cheese required to make him take them.

 

[rara007]

Good result