Wart disruption

[skinnydipper]

I googled and I see they are what I call harvest mites. The woolly terriers used to get these occasionally but they were clearly visible between their toes. They are small, but not too small to see.
Birker can you see anything? Between her toes?

How did you get rid of them, Clodagh?

 

[Clodagh]

How did you get rid of them, Clodagh?

It was the dark ages, but we sprayed frontline on the areas where they were. I can see that nowadays they’d use Bravecto or nexguard. But like I say they were visible.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Are hotspots common? I've never heard of this before. It presented a bit like mud fever, like sebum and fur stuck together.

Brig developed about 12 very weepy open hotspots practically overnight. After some research (possibly on here), I dabbed them dry, cut off any hair that was getting caught up in them and puffed on athletes foot powder. They were all gone within days. I was gobsmacked.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

The vet feels she has grass mites this time. She's already had the tablet.

We had an infestation in the house up til a few weeks ago. Everywhere I looked, there were several running up the wall, on the kitchen surfaces. I just wiped down everything with disenfectant. Haven't seen any since. Better than the plague of ants, I suppose, that was a challenge a few years back.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

You definitely need a cone on her or she'll just keep re-opening any scabs.

 

[druid]

Vet has given Nexguard or Bravecto (any of the -laner products basically) to rule out mites being the cause of the itching which has started the hot spot. Skin scrapes aren't always diagnostic for mites due to their life cycles and life deeper in the skin or within hair shafts. A positive skin scape is positive, a negative skin scrape is undiagnostic in ruling out mites. So if you are concerned about mites and a negative or positive result will still cause you to treat....why do the test and add another billable item to the invoice?

The number of times I've had clients insist their pet cannot have mites or other parasites only for all itching (including some lasting years, poor dog) cease with a Bravecto tablet is worrying.

On the pricing of Nexgard, online pharmacies buy in bulk and have minimal overheads in comparison to a clinic...the same thing we say everytime this is brought up. I can tell you my whole sale pricing for Nexgard ex vat is significantly more than £10 a tablet from my supplier.

 

[Widgeon]

On the pricing of Nexgard,

I am entirely shameless (why should I be ashamed of having a limited budget....) and always ask the vet up front in the consulting room what any given route of treatment is going to cost. I think that approach helps avoid awkwardness. They never seem to mind looking it up and are usually happy enough to suggest and discuss alternative options (for treatment, or sourcing that treatment) where possible if I'm looking queasy over the cost - vets generally are sympathetic and problem solvers by nature!

I know though that our vets have been struggling recently with shortages of drugs and prices rises - it's hard for everybody at the moment. Perhaps I am naive, or simply a client of a very small independent chain of practices - but I do think they do their best.

 

[skinnydipper]

...

 

[Redders]

I love it when people ask me for a prescription. It saves me bringing up and discussing yet another thing in limited consult time! We have posters up in the waiting room about it. Only time it’s not appropriate to issue a written prescription is when the medications are acute, needed that day, or at least the next day, some things cant wait until order is in, prescription is approved and order delivered. Long term meds, non time sensitive things, ask away!

 

[Birker2020]

Did the vet explain why the anti parasitic treatment applied recently wasn't effective?

Are they visible to the naked eye or did your vet do a skin scrape and look at it under a microscope to confirm that she has an infestation of grass mites?


ETA. Sorry for all the questions. I've never had a dog infested with grass mites and I'm interested in learning more about them.

I'm sorry I have no idea I was at work and partner took her in so not sure how the conversation played out but there's been a huge problem with mites and fleas this year in the UK due to the bizarre weather.

Presumably she feels the symptoms Summer has means that the treatment was warranted unless they are just trying to rule out mites. Partner has been itching a bit at night also so has changed all the bed covers when we bathed her before holiday. I've not had any symptoms.

We have looked in depth with that microscope thing on google and can't see anything but it might be that after the spray flea treatment they were eradicated and she's reacting to the skin which is still itchy. Its itchy due to the reaction to the mite’s digestive enzymes once its bitten the dog irrespective of whether they are still attached or not.

Sadly a cone won't work as it will rub on the area. She's scratched herself overnight again and the area is bleeding again.

 

[skinnydipper]

I'm sorry I have no idea I was at work and partner took her in so not sure how the conversation played out but there's been a huge problem with mites and fleas this year in the UK due to the bizarre weather.

Presumably she feels the symptoms Summer has means that the treatment was warranted unless they are just trying to rule out mites.

We have looked in depth with that microscope thing on google and can't see anything but it might be that after the spray flea treatment they were eradicated and she's reacting to the skin which is still itchy. Its itchy due to the reaction to the mite’s digestive enzymes once its bitten the dog irrespective of whether they are still attached or not.

Sadly a cone won't work as it will run on the area. She's scratched herself overnight again and the area is bleeding again.

Druid said it can be difficult to rule out a mite problem even with a skin scrape and microscopy.

I hope this latest treatment finally brings your little dog some relief from the skin problems and ear infections she has suffered with for so long.

 

[AmyMay]

Please put a cone on her.

 

[Clodagh]

Please put a cone on her.

A soft one? Or a bandana? Hot spots clear up really quickly given the opportunity.

 

[Clodagh]

I am entirely shameless (why should I be ashamed of having a limited budget....) and always ask the vet up front in the consulting room what any given route of treatment is going to cost. I think that approach helps avoid awkwardness. They never seem to mind looking it up and are usually happy enough to suggest and discuss alternative options (for treatment, or sourcing that treatment) where possible if I'm looking queasy over the cost - vets generally are sympathetic and problem solvers by nature!

I know though that our vets have been struggling recently with shortages of drugs and prices rises - it's hard for everybody at the moment. Perhaps I am naive, or simply a client of a very small independent chain of practices - but I do think they do their best.

I’m the opposite ( and absolutely not judging either way) and always get stuff from the vet. My thinking is an online pharmacy owned off shore won’t help my pet at 1am in an emergency, or take time to speak about and advise me on things.

 

[Birker2020]

Please put a cone on her.

That's what I think too but vet didn't suggest it, I think she would be worse with a collar as she would be scratching more to try and get it off. It's difficult as well because the dog is left alone for four hours on Monday - Wednesday when she stays at partners brothers house while he's at work, and sometimes the brothers both work probably 80% of the time, depending on if there is enough work that day. If she got caught up in a cone there would be no one around, she has been caught up in her normal collar by her dew claw before now, luckily we'd not left her for long that day and were able to free her.

There was a discussion on the forum the other day about other things like blow up collars, I might see if that would be better for her, maybe I could put something on the collar to stop it rubbing, I don't know normal talc or flour or Keratex mud fever talc to prevent friction?? Or am I overthinking it?

I know I sound like I'm making excuses, and I'm really not but its just trying to consider everything. Partner doesn't get paid if he takes time off work and I can't take more time off as I have very few days left, we need to save them for Xmas.

I know we need to break that itch scratch cycle which is why the vet prescribed the Nexguard.

 

[AmyMay]

Did they give her a steroid injection?

 

[Birker2020]

A soft one? Or a bandana? Hot spots clear up really quickly given the opportunity.

Do they, that's really good? I never thought about a bandana. That would be better for her.

 

[Birker2020]

Did they give her a steroid injection?

Nope but they told him to bathe the area with dilute hibiscrub which is arriving today via Prime, and then dry it and apply the steroid cream that they had given him before we went away on holiday (this was for the top of her legs which have healed beautifully - see photo). Grass mites are known to affect the upper inside legs and ears (she has had trouble with both).

 

[AmyMay]

I’d (personally) have requested a steroid jab, and Flamazine for the wound. The steroid jab would have taken away the ‘itch’ and the Flamazine help heal the wound.

 

[Widgeon]

I know I sound like I'm making excuses, and I'm really not but its just trying to consider everything. Partner doesn't get paid if he takes time off work and I can't take more time off as I have very few days left, we need to save them for Xmas.

It's hard isn't it. We're all just doing the best we can with what we've got. I hope it clears up very quickly.

 

[skinnydipper]

I’m the opposite ( and absolutely not judging either way) and always get stuff from the vet. My thinking is an online pharmacy owned off shore won’t help my pet at 1am in an emergency, or take time to speak about and advise me on things.

The specialist vet who cares for my dog recommended a 6 week course of treatment in addition to her usual meds. If it had been dispensed by them it would have cost an eye watering amount. He offered me a written prescription without me having to ask. It saved me a lot of money.

Her main treatment is compounded on their premises.

Consultations are 3x the cost of a vet consult at local general practice vets.

No-one could accuse her of being a cheap dog

 

[Clodagh]

The specialist vet who cares for my dog recommended a 6 week course of treatment in addition to her usual meds. If it had been dispensed by them it would have cost an eye watering amount. He offered me a written prescription without me having to ask. It saved me a lot of money.

The mainstay of her treatment is compounded on their premises.

Consultations are 3x the cost of a vet consult at local general practice vets.

No-one could accuse her of being a cheap dog

I accept I’m only talking about ‘normal’ vets. When I took T to the referral place they were very good suggesting cheaper options.

 

[Birker2020]

It's hard isn't it. We're all just doing the best we can with what we've got. I hope it clears up very quickly.

Thank you for understanding.

 

[Birker2020]

I’d (personally) have requested a steroid jab, and Flamazine for the wound. The steroid jab would have taken away the ‘itch’ and the Flamazine help heal the wound.

I think if I'd been present I might have suggested something like that but only because I have that experience with the horses. I was at work and partner wouldn't have known to ask, bless him he does his very best for her.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Does she need to wear the collar? Mine only wear collars when out on a walk.

If she's an indoor dog of that age her nails might be longer...is there any way you can trim and file them down or maybe look at boots for the rear paws?

 

[Birker2020]

Sorted much against partners wants.

Is laughing at her when she crashes into things allowed? she's so cute.

Seriously, thank you all of you for your suggestions. It's been so positive x

 

[AmyMay]

That should really help things along. Make sure she’s happy to drink with it on x

 

[Birker2020]

That should really help things along. Make sure she’s happy to drink with it on x

Partner wants to take it off at bedtime. I think I will have her with me and she can have it on overnight.

 

[AmyMay]

Partner wants to take it off at bedtime. I think I will have her with me and she can have it on overnight.

It’s almost the most important part of the day to keep it on (at night).

 

[Birker2020]

It’s almost the most important part of the day to keep it on (at night).

Yep, it's when she gets hot and scratches. At least partner will get his bits aired when the cone lifts the duvet off him