surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Sep 15, 2003, 9:18 AM
Post #19 of 31
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Re: [captain03] Rashes and Puss
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Hi ...  ...
Many vets prescribe a course of antibiotics and/or cortisone when treating a dog with a skin condition ... what is unfortunate however is that some vets do not attempt a clearer diagnosis or provide the owner with clear or sufficient explanation of the "cause" or "possible causes" of the condition ...
Some vets do not bother to explain the long-term effects of antibiotics or cortisone ... on our dogs.
The antibiotic is intended to prevent or reduce secondary bacterial infection caused by the skin condition and/or a scratching dog ... The cortisone is a powerful anti inflammatory steroid intended to combat "Allergic Dermatitis", namely allergies of the skin.
Unfortunately, such treatment assist to elevate symptoms but often does not remove the cause of the condition.
Hence, frequently - when the antibiotic or cortisone treatment period is over ... the skin condition reappears ...
It is therefore very important to find a vet who is prepared to spend time examining your dog and speaking with you. Just giving antibiotics or cortisone is not necessarily the only or best solution.
A dog with bad skin is giving warning that something is not right ...
Dermatitis comes in various forms and can be caused by a whole range of possibilities.
You are right, rashes and poor skin condition can be caused by certain foods ...
But it may also be caused by other factors too ... It may be something as simple as a heat rash ... or maybe caused by a food allergy, or allergy to the dog shampoo, or the detergents used on your floor, airborne contaminants, bacterial, fungal or yeast infections ... or some form of parasitic infection (tick bites or mange etc) ... or a combination of causes ...
The symptoms can range from mild rashes to open sores, from mild to severe itching and coat loss.
Treating a skin condition often requires a process of eliminating possible causes.
I would suggest the following ...
*** Speak to your breeder in Australia and find out the food that the puppy was fed. A responsible breeder will be more than happy to provide all the information you require. If the food fed in Australia caused no problems - then perhaps duplicate that diet here ... In the meantime research proper dog nutrition.
*** If there are no pus pistules ... make a salt water solution - 1 or 2 teaspoon of sea-salt in a pint of warm water ... Soak a towel in the salt solution and wipe your dog ... You can do this 2 or 3 times a day ... the salt solution is mildly antiseptic and will help keep the rashes clean and reduce itching.
Hopefully the above will stabilise your dog's condition somewhat ... giving you time to find a good vet ...
A good vet will have many questions for you - questions about your dog's diet, the environment in which your dog lives etc ... A good vet will also consider doing a blood test, skin scrapings for examination under a microscope or for a culture ... A good vet will also patiently answer all the questions you may have …
Please check the thread begun by cshellz on "mange":
www.puppy.com.my/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=53683;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;
... the thread offers many suggestions re: nutrition & homeopathic solutions for skin relief.
Cheers
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.. when you try to scrap it off, it actually turns flacky.. I am not sure what causes this.. but how do I get rid of it??? and prevent it from happening again in future?? 
.. wonder how did she get all these.. and it spreads pretty fast.. does it produce flackly dead skins??? mine does.. so every day, I have to keep on brushing them off.. is it advisable to do so?? 
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