Infected paw/allergy skin issues Help
jur45
australia
My 13month old white male intact bully named Moose is suffering and has suffered most of his days with allergies/yeast/paw inflammation infection. I am lost as what to do now. I cannot get nuvet delivered to Australia but it does contain chicken liver and he is allergic to chicken plus numerous other items. He is on raw kangaroo now (1.5weeks) but his paw is really bad. I wash his feet twice daily in benodine solution but it does not fix this infection and not his head/leg rash/hive condition. He developed this from January. He has already been on two lots of antibiotics//steroids which he has a negative reaction and I don’t want to go back for more of the same. I’ve done an allergy test but excluding these items from his diet has not changed his condition. He has little energy limps if I walk him so his exercise is compromised and his 5.5 month white brother bully Memphis misses out on exercise as I feel guilty to take them separately. I can see he is not a happy thriving 13month old and I need help as where to go from here. I know it’s a slow process but would love some input from you ASAP.
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Comments
If your Bull Terrier had an extensive and proper allergy test it should have provided a listing of all the foods and elements he's reactive to. This is a good way to avoid all the things that can trigger skin issues. However, this doesn't always work if the dog's immune system is weak. Stress and anxiety are the main causes of weakening the immune system. No two dogs are the same either. Some require far more exercise to burn off pent up energy. In the event a dog isn't getting enough exercise and might be crated for prolonged time frames it will most certainly result in weakening the immune system caused from stress and thus compromising the bodies natural ability to overcome minor ailments which really shouldn't impact a healthy dog. However, dogs with immune system issues will react to any little ailment which could mites, fleas, pollen, certain food ingredients, grass, pine, etc.
It's often difficult to pinpoint the ailments causing bad reactions with a dog. But instead of trying to figure out the ailments that cause the issues I find it best to concentrate my efforts strengthening the immune system so these ailments have little or no effect on the dog.
The most important thing you can do to strengthen the immune system for a dog is to bump up his daily exercise regime. I'm not referring to a gentle walk a couple times a day or letting him out the back door to go potty. I'm talking about allowing him to exert himself either by chasing a ball, running after a flirt pole, running around a dog park, or anything else that will really allow him to burn off pent up energy. I realize his feet may be sore from yeast but he needs exercise.
There are other supplements besides NuVet that I'm confident are available in your area that are ailed at strengthening the immune system. Also try putting him on a grain free 5 star food that is salmon or fish based. Victor Yukon would be a great choice for him.
Start rubbing his feet with Bag Balm a couple times during the day. It will help.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Did test show any other non -food related allergens? Did your vet run diagnostic tests like bloodwork, serum biochemistry panel, and a urinalysis to get a cause of your pups dermatitis and determine if there is an infection. Other diagnostic tests that may be performed include bacterial culture, fungal cultures, skin scrape, skin cytology, hypoallergenic food trials, and DTM culture (to rule out ringworm or dermatophytosis) Is he on flea/ tick prevention meds? Was he tested for mites?
Moose is only on raw kangaroo fresh meat no preservatives etc added which I add a probiotic powder only. He gets nothing else now. He used to be on fresh lamb and beef hearts bones etc but was advised to cut beef so I did this and then reduced to lamb only but this didn’t change anything either so I’m trying kangaroo only.
I did an online saliva test for his allergies and was advised and reassured it was a reputable test but my vet said she wasn’t confident with this test and that I would need to spend $2k with a specialist to investigate differently but I thought this was money making advice and business working with business so to speak. My vet did no tests at all. I went to another vet recommended and he said no bloods tests recommended and basically he has immune disorder and gave me DMSO/batryil solution along with steroid cream which I noticed adverse reaction even though I said he has adverse reaction to steroids but he said topical is different???
No confidence in vet.
Moose has allergies to rice, chicken, salmon, ants, brewers yeast, cabbage, cockroach, coconut oil, corn, duck, green peas, halibut, mackerel, rice bran, turkey, and mould.
Kibble or supplements are a no go I found and I do not know how to supplement his immune system. I tried Dorwest Keepers mix from UK as this has few simple natural ingredients but both pups were itching madly. I thought DE diamotaceous earth would help his gut but am unsure now.
Exercise a limping dog is not easy outdoors. It looks so cruel as I walk him home which is very close but I will try to drive to a dog park or similar. We found the beach most comfortable for his feet but have council regulations at present.
Can I ask as people have suggested that maybe having him desexed would help his immune system? I say no. Also ‘booties’?
I say no to this suggestion also.
I have noticed the infection is spreading to other toes now.
Thankyou once again but it looks like I need a better vet and this is hard to find and they all go down the path of desexing and medication.
Thankyou and Steve for a fantastic forum of wonderful insightful expertise you just can’t get elsewhere ????????????
Thought I’d recommence DMSO solution yesterday without topical steroid cream.
Did apply it again this morning and then ventured out to the dog park for serious run around. All was good till I got home and then the mini seizure/ tongue out whining episode occurred. Thankfully it doesn’t last long but my initial observation previously was correct...he reacts to this also. I called my vet to query desexing if this would help or not. no was my reply - good that’s what I thought.
We will do blood work etc to see if anything comes up RE nutrition etc. urinalysis??
I’m not sure what they’ll advise.
Thankyou sarah<img src="https://bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/uploads/Uploader/ef/5937724acb2a28283c47732b6dfb10.jpeg" /><img src="https://bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/uploads/Uploader/a0/cc8fa0a04b5a5154c64b161fa21a2d.jpeg" /><img src="https://bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/uploads/Uploader/a0/cc8fa0a04b5a5154c64b161fa21a2d.jpeg" /><img src="https://bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/uploads/Uploader/a0/cc8fa0a04b5a5154c64b161fa21a2d.jpeg" />
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Thankyou again.
His mini seizure moments was what occurred only after steroid medication and then came back once I commenced the DMSO medication along with topical steroid (in which I told the vet about adverse reaction) but he said it won’t affect him. This is the only time I see this mini seizure symptom.
Last night I only started to do the DMSO on its own as I questioned myself again and this morning the incident occurred.
This afternoon I took him for his usual short walk in which he was lethargic and even given the opportunity to play with another pup on the beach, he did not have momentum. I was very worried and will seek full bloodwork ASAP. to see if any underlying issues need to be picked up.
My daughter sourced the dog and he is not pedigree. I have kept in touch with the breeder regarding and sourcing any health issues with his puppies but he reassured me nothing has ever come up like this. He keeps in touch with most if not all previous litters/pups. I feel confident in our discussions and feel he cares for his animals and would help with any advice he can give me. He suggested your sight but I was onto it long before with all your BT lovers and their experiences.
I understand you may think differently and have concern regarding this purchase.
I totally see where you’re coming from but now I have and love Moose dearly and will endeavour to get him as healthy as I possibly can.
I have purchased the foot balm you recommend and will apply when I receive it.
I will keep you updated on anymore information I get and hope I can still ask your advice when needed.
Thankyou Sarah
Most likely your pup has a weak immune system that was even more compromised with rounds of antibiotics, steroid shots and malnutrition diet. I agree with @Bulliesofnc the extensive and proper allergy test needs to be done. It should provide a listing of all the foods and elements your dog is reactive to. How can you know for sure he's allergic to cockroaches?
I have done an saliva allergy test and cockroaches was something that was listed!
I must also mention the reason for reducing his varied diet was not one of choice but of the allergy/yeast infection problem. I loved feeding him varied raw, eggs, carrot, apple but reading into sugar and the role with yeast made me think otherwise so slowly we have resorted to one protein only and I do not know of a supplement suitable and reputable I can use. Whatever the vet suggests has his allergic triggers included and I cannot get Nuvet down here. Any suggestions appreciated.
I also realise once his immune system gets stronger we can slowly introduce the ingredients that he has mild reactions to, back into his diet eventually.
I must also mention his younger brother Memphis is not like Moose. He eats and loves all raw, meat, organs etc. weight gain is great whereas Moose I question, needing to put on more. No problems with Memphis just slight rusting between one paw... but I’ve reduced his diet to kangaroo and ToTW kibble only. I question myself if this is a bad thing but Moose remembers all the lamb, beef, hearts bones he used to eat and to watch and smell his brother consuming this?
Isn’t that a little cruel????
It may be highly unlikely that steroid/dmso medication caused the adverse seizure reaction to others BUT what a coincidence it only occurred within hours of him being on this medication. I think you have to witness this to see the connection and how one feels to ever give him chemicals/substances even though medication plays an important role for the right diagnosis and giving relief for the dog for the right reason. I even questioned iodine in the benedine solution with Moose! I wash his paws twice daily but I didn’t see much relief /change so I then ceased this and started washing in salt water solution but it soon went worse. Now I am back to benodine again.
Yes I agree he may need extensive allergy testing and I will enquire again with the vet when I visit for bloodwork etc.
Thankyou for your feedback and I will keep updates on Moose.
We initially did give him yoghurt and kefir but were constantly second guessing what’s the right way and probably didn’t do it long enough. I’m a lover of herbs and probably didn’t do long this long enough either and then the vet throws you off by medicated washes with maleseb shampoo... he had enough of the long soaks and me too!
I think his paw infection has got so bad the vet will give me antibiotics again. I will follow through with blood work though for peace of mind. I am still taking him for walk run in dog park to distract him and benefit him but will not push if I see otherwise. Yes washing after every outing too but just with benodine as he is abliging to do this. In regards to fermented veggies...I’ll have to see what we can make, he’s allergic to cabbage but there is probably alot of other veggies I could include.
I’m hesitating on changing the raw kangaroo for now as it will only be three weeks but if bloodwork shows nutritional deficiencies I will quickly change etc.
It is reassuring that even pedigree etc. can still bring health challenges to us as I’ve heard before. Even if Moose was rescued or adopted so to speak we bring them into our home with all their challenges and concerns and get an abundance of love and happiness in return. I don’t hold my daughter against this and I know Moose has the right home and owner who will truefully care for him. I am happy it is me.
I will keep updates next week.
Love to Moscow
I have to ask but did you see my pics on my seperate post of Moose’ paw? Well it has spread to his left foot now. Did you experience this too or not?
I’m waiting on bag balm as suggested by Steve but it’ll take up to a month to deliver here. What herbs did you try if you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks again
Sarah
Coconut oil is an allergin for him and it’s everywhere!! I have calendula too.
I am using Malaseb medicated shampoo again as it is REALLY bad and ceased his probiotic supplement as I think it doesn’t agree with his stomach - he has diarrhoea and it’s been three weeks now on kangaroo meat only. I know it takes 8 weeks to adjust to a mew protein but he isn’t putting on any weight.
Thanks again