Need some help...

A

Angel Chicken

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#1
So, Kona has had this skin condition for quite some time...

We aren't sure what it is yet, but before I get her back to the vet next month for her annual anyway, I'd like to try and control it or at least make it so she's more comfortable. It's not to the point of interfering with her normal life, she just wants to be scratched all over a few times a day. She also likes to use my coffee table as her personal butt scratching post.

She is always itching, she has really bad dry skin. She is also allergic to grass, it makes mer belly break out more.

Any shampoos or anything out there that could give my girl some comfort before we go to the vet?
 
A

Angel Chicken

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#3
I know it is Grammy :) And believe me, we will get her to a vet in October. She isn't due for her Rabies until then, and her annual, so we are going to wait.
 

Buddy'sParents

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#4
Hmm.. I think she should be taken to the vet because of her itchiness. You want her to be at her worst for the vet so that she can be more easily diagnosed. If you take her after she is well and talk to the vet about it, you wont have anything to show for it? How will the vet know to help make her better?

Allergies are an awful, awful thing in dogs... she needs treatment before her annual.

ETA: I'm not understanding the want to wait? The moment I start to notice Buddy getting an "episode" we're at the vet...
 

juliefurry

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#5
Would your vet maybe vaccinate a little early, it may not be best but it's an option? Our vet has done that once just so they didn't have to charge us for an extra trip.

I can't think of any shampoos, have you used maybe an oatmeal shampoo?
 

Buddy'sParents

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#7
We use Earth Bath's oatmeal and aloe shampoo... I use it regularly on Buddy and I use a hmmm... what are those called? those kong things? and rub it all over and he's just in heaven. makes him feel a bit better. But, really, Kona should go to the vet- it needs to be looked at further.
 
A

Angel Chicken

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#8
I can't think of any shampoos, have you used maybe an oatmeal shampoo?
Yup, and it didn't help much...

What kind of food do you feed her?
I've been feedin' EVO RM for some time now... thinking about trying something else though, as she doesn't like it too much, even when I put yogurt or something yummy in it. Royal Canin is my next try...

I reckon I'll make her annual a little early then. I'll make an appointment today. I hope it ain't nothing too too serious... geeze I hate it when my baby isn't feelin' well.

By the way, I gave her a warm bath last night... and she is already feelin' a little better.
 
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Angel Chicken

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#9
Appointment is made... although it isn't soon.

My vet is going out of town today (just my luck), and he knows how Kona is... funny... about the other vets in his office.

So we had to make the appointment for October the 5th. Sheesh...

I would so take her to another vet, but this is the only vet she really likes and actually goes nutty for when you ask her if she wants to go see him...

So we have to wait... since the vet leaves this afternoon and she's booked until then :(
 

SummerRiot

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#11
Have you tried giving her Benadryl to see if its allergies bothering her?

If not, she may have a skin infection.

If your going to a reputable vet - they WONT vaccinate if Kona needs meds.

I know our vets wont vaccinate a dog unless its perfectly healthy.

Poor little girly..
 

Charliesmommy

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#12
Laura how do you know she is allergic to grass? Has she had allergy testing? Everyone always points the finger at allergies when a dog is itchy but it could be several other things too, such as a bacterial infection or a skin infection or a food allergy. Until you pinpoint the problem it's going to be hard to find a solution. Believe me, I have been dealing with Charlie and his skin forever now.

If it is a grass or pollen allergy regular baths with a gentle soap, like oatmeal soap, will help just by getting the pollens off of her.
 
A

Angel Chicken

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#13
Charlie, I don't think it's the grass that in making her itchy.

However, we can go outside, and minutes before her little belly was clear, no red splotches or anything, but only after she rolls in the grass will the splotches will show up.

I'm not sure of you'd consider that a grass allergy or not though. I'm not too sure about these things, as I have never had a dog with skin prollems before.
 

Charliesmommy

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#14
Until you can get her to the vet I would try some Benadryl and frequent bathing. 1mg of Benadryl per pound of dog, and make sure to NOT get the kind that includes decongestant.
 

Buddy'sParents

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#15
She needs allergy testing.. she needs to have a skin test done to check for any type of infection. she needs to see a VET. *sigh*
 

Buddy'sParents

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#17
This has been going on for months.. sorry, I don't see how its okay to have a dog in obvious discomfort for months and to still wait when the problem is actually acknowledged. I'm not one for letting my pets suffer. Nor should anyone else. But wait, this must be my perfect world of fuzzy bunnies, right? Hmmph.
 

Charliesmommy

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#18
But the point is that her vet is out of town and she made an appointment for as soon as he gets back. What do you want her to do? Go to a different vet, who will not be familiar with her dog's problems and who her dog may not like?

I would not take Charlie to another vet unless it were an emergency. His vet knows him and knows his history and what things we have already tried for him and what things we haven't. Not to mention that it takes a while for Charlie to get to know someone and he would be very uncomfortable with a strange vet.

I would agree with you if this were an emergency but it isn't and there are steps she can take to relieve the discomfort in the meantime.
 
A

Angel Chicken

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#19
Yes, BP, it has been going on for awhile, but it has been controllable with a bath every week. I'm just looking for something to keep her comfortable for a little longer while my vet is away.

I can't get her to the vet right now...if I could get her in there right now, believe me I would have her ass in there.

My vet is going out of town. I'm not willing to risk Kona having a bad experience at another vet. Sorry if that seems so bad to you.

If it was so bad where she was doing nothing BUT scratching, then I'd be worried... but it is controllable with a warm bath with some mild shampoo. I'm going out this evening to get some Benedryl for her (even though I'm kinda reluctant to give her a OTC pill) to see if that'll make it better.

At least I am TRYING to help her before we can get her to the vet. Some people don't even do that.
 

Buddy'sParents

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#20
But the point is you want her to be well before you get to the vet? and then you want to wait until her annual, but no vet will give vacs to a dog that is sick. Jus pointing that out...

Get tea tree oil. I have several unopened bottles if you want me to send one. dilute it in a spray bottle, couple drops to the whole thing filled with water. Tea tree is VERY strong and must be used cautiously, too much can make a dog sick.

Give her a warm bath. get her soaked with the water, then spray the tea tree all over and especially her most affected area. let it sit for a few minutes. then rinse her and follow with an oatmeal and aloe shampoo. Repeat as necessary every few days or once a week, depending on how bad her condition is.
 

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