Emma has a skin infection now.......

I'm completely lost.....Gracie has had skin problems for about a year and a half. It just started overnight. We did the elimination diet and she still was getting these sores on her skin. Her fur starts falling out, her skin gets black and right where her fur and skin meet, there is like this yellow looking crusty stuff right where it meets (sorry to be so specific or gross). When we put her on an antibiotic, it clears up. But then 2-3 months later, it comes back. The vet gave us medicated calming shampoo for allergies and we used that religiously. Now, Emma has started getting it. The vet thought it was environmental....the pollen count was very high when it happened and they both had it so we were leaning towards that. The pollen count is now down to 4-5 here and they both have an infection again. Emma's seemed to be quite bad, Gracie's is just starting. My vet is RX'ing them some more antibiotics but we are going in on Tues to have them looked at again. I'm at a loss...I don't know what in the world it could be. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's something not environmental as they both have it. And the way it goes (the process of the infection) is exactly the same in both of them. We've changed laundry detergent, I wipe their paws down when they come inside. I'm clueless....so I'm posting to see if anyone has any guesses. I think when we go in on Tuesday they are going to do a skin scraping and some other test to see if maybe it's something that they keep passing back and forth to each other. I hope we can figure it out because I don't know what else to do. They can't live on antibiotics their whole life..... I just find it strange that they BOTH have the same thing.

If you have one available, see about getting in to see a veterinary dermatologist.

And, a skin scrape is a really good idea.

You definitely need a skin scrape as Renee suggested if your vet hasn't already done one. It could be some kind of mite/fungal infection that is around all the time but only "acts up" when somebody's immune system takes a hit (ie environmental allergies kicking up). That's the only thing I could think of that they'd both get.

Talk to your vet about adding a liver supplement like sam-e/denosyl to the mix. Whenever a dog has an illness or allergic reaction the liver gets flooded with toxins. The liver supplement helps clear those out and keep the liver healthy which boosts the immune system big time.

Pugsly got these crusty areas where they would bleed a little then air would come out. A punch biopsy was done, and it was something called calcinosis cutis. He was on steroids but also had a compromised immune system.

Thank you for the feedback so far. I'll ask about the liver medicine too...good to know as I didn't know that. We shall see what they say but I'm really leaning towards it being something that they are passing back and forth to each other now.

I second the dermatologist if you do have one. When we were trying to diagnose Sophie, 2 regular vets (who are awesome and I love) couldn't figure it out. When we took her to the dermatologist, she knew right away. Plus I like dermatologists because they seem to be much more well versed in nutrition and how it impacts dogs.

Saira wrote:I second the dermatologist if you do have one. When we were trying to diagnose Sophie, 2 regular vets (who are awesome and I love) couldn't figure it out. When we took her to the dermatologist, she knew right away. Plus I like dermatologists because they seem to be much more well versed in nutrition and how it impacts dogs.

I'm going to look online and see if I can find one. Should I ask my vet for a referral of a good one? I'm afraid she's going to think I'm doubting her work or her judgement but seeing a dermatologist is a good idea.

ETA: Never mind, I just remembered they always use a specialist hospital near here so I'm going to call them. Thanks so much everyone!!

GracieNEmma wrote: I'm afraid she's going to think I'm doubting her work or her judgement but seeing a dermatologist is a good idea.

Just want to comment here - a really good vet is never offended by a second opinion. She should be more concerned with getting your dog healthy, than being offended by someone doubting her. No one person has every single answer.

Renee wrote:

Just want to comment here - a really good vet is never offended by a second opinion. She should be more concerned with getting your dog healthy, than being offended by someone doubting her. No one person has every single answer.

I don't think she will, that's just the worry wart in me coming out and I always think of crazy stuff like this.

I would go with a dermatologist too but also I am going to ask if the pugs take any kind of vitamins???

I know Julian has had a lot of breathing issues but his brother got mange and she said he got it when she took him off the vitamins...plus he is on Blue Buffalo and I did not hear very good things about that...Plus allergies are horrible in this litter

Maybe ask the vet about vitamins as a preventative. At least they both have it and it is not two different issues, not that it is good that they have it but only 1 diagnosis is needed...good luck

ocnside wrote:I would go with a dermatologist too but also I am going to ask if the pugs take any kind of vitamins???

Yes, they both are on vitamins. It's a powder from B Naturals that I have been giving them. Plus they eat raw so they get a lot of their vitamins naturally that way too.

GracieNEmma wrote:

Renee wrote:

Just want to comment here - a really good vet is never offended by a second opinion. She should be more concerned with getting your dog healthy, than being offended by someone doubting her. No one person has every single answer.

I don't think she will, that's just the worry wart in me coming out and I always think of crazy stuff like this.

I know the feeling about worrying. But Sophie's derm. and her regular vet actually work together to figure out all her crazy stuff. So it's nice to know there is double the brainpower working on her! They also know I take Hooli to another vet for acupuncture, and they work with her as well.

I had a dogtor in Ohio get miffed when I took Penny to the eye dogtor specialist at Ohio State. I stayed with the practice but asked for a different dogtor. Second opinions shouldn't threaten them - a fresh set of eyes on the problem, not to say an expert set of eyes, is always a Good Thing.