BabyJessy
October 6th, 2007, 09:57 AM
I need some advice/help because my vet has not been of great assistance in this matter.
We (me and my vet) think that due to bad seasonal allergies this year, my 3-year old dog has started developing some skin lesions on her abdomen and upper, inner thighs and rear end (these cleared up quickly after shaving the hair and applying Baxedine to keep them clean) . However, she is now experiencing terrible pain and discomfort because of more lesions (2) really close to the vulva area and some mean-looking redness almost "touching" the vulva in one spot. Cold water compresses help, and I have been applying Polysporin as close as I can, very carefully, because Polysporin accidentally contacting mucus membranes would sting but I know that it's important to prevent infection and hopefully speed healing. So far one lesion looks like it's crusting over and drying/clearing up, but one newer lesion has a very pink central area plus there is some very red skin near the vulva. She is suffering terribly at times (crying, licking the air, rubbing the area on the floor) and I don't know what else I can do. At least she can't reach the area with her mouth or paws to irritate it further.
These two lesions in her genital area appeared about 2 weeks ago and looked very "mild" at the onset; they were pinkish, 1/4 inch roundish areas (hidden under her fur) that looked like an innocent pimple or bump but spread larger to about 1/2 inch after a few days and became irregular "patches". She was constantly sitting down so I thought that perhaps her anal gland was the problem. The vet confirmed it was not, and after seeing the developing small pink areas around her vulva, she wanted to give antibiotics and cortisone. I did accept a cortisone spray (applied topically for 7 days only) but I refused the oral medications because these will weaken and confuse her immune system further since she is experiencing allergies which are probably causing all of these skin lesions. Also, I have been able to keep the area quite clean with Baxedin and I have been using the Polysporin so no infection seems to have developed. Every day I soak her affected areas and itchy paws at least once in water with some baking soda added (I have tried oatmeal water too). It seems to help a lot.
I am trying to find a vet who will see her today because I wonder if this may actually be something other than a result of an allergic reaction to pollen, but I suspect they will again try to get us to administer worthless antibiotics (she doesn't have infection!!!) and cortisone which causes thyroid issues. There has never been any visible oozing pus, so I don't think these are "hotspots" from what I have been reading. Also, it seems that hotspots are quite large (book said they start at one inch and grow) and her largest lesion area is irregular and about 1/2 inch.
My questions are these:
1) Does anyone have some good suggestions to alleviate her suffering? I believe it's an itching/burning sensation. Please keep in mind the delicate skin area near the mucous membranes. I tried a homeopathic cream with apis to numb the skin but she literally screamed...I am now just using cold water when she has an "episode". I am thinking about an anti-itch cream that a woman might use in that area but would it be safe?
2) Has anyone seen this before? Do you all think that it truly is allergy-related or something else? (I don't use harsh detergents and chemicals in the house, she doesn't have fleas or any known food allergies, she does get an occasional wasp bite; I am sure that administering an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics after a dog bite 2 months ago didn't help her immune system, not to mention her heartworm prevention which I have now stopped for the rest of the year. We do go for regular walks in a forest...maybe something there?)
Any help and suggestions are appreciated!!!
We (me and my vet) think that due to bad seasonal allergies this year, my 3-year old dog has started developing some skin lesions on her abdomen and upper, inner thighs and rear end (these cleared up quickly after shaving the hair and applying Baxedine to keep them clean) . However, she is now experiencing terrible pain and discomfort because of more lesions (2) really close to the vulva area and some mean-looking redness almost "touching" the vulva in one spot. Cold water compresses help, and I have been applying Polysporin as close as I can, very carefully, because Polysporin accidentally contacting mucus membranes would sting but I know that it's important to prevent infection and hopefully speed healing. So far one lesion looks like it's crusting over and drying/clearing up, but one newer lesion has a very pink central area plus there is some very red skin near the vulva. She is suffering terribly at times (crying, licking the air, rubbing the area on the floor) and I don't know what else I can do. At least she can't reach the area with her mouth or paws to irritate it further.
These two lesions in her genital area appeared about 2 weeks ago and looked very "mild" at the onset; they were pinkish, 1/4 inch roundish areas (hidden under her fur) that looked like an innocent pimple or bump but spread larger to about 1/2 inch after a few days and became irregular "patches". She was constantly sitting down so I thought that perhaps her anal gland was the problem. The vet confirmed it was not, and after seeing the developing small pink areas around her vulva, she wanted to give antibiotics and cortisone. I did accept a cortisone spray (applied topically for 7 days only) but I refused the oral medications because these will weaken and confuse her immune system further since she is experiencing allergies which are probably causing all of these skin lesions. Also, I have been able to keep the area quite clean with Baxedin and I have been using the Polysporin so no infection seems to have developed. Every day I soak her affected areas and itchy paws at least once in water with some baking soda added (I have tried oatmeal water too). It seems to help a lot.
I am trying to find a vet who will see her today because I wonder if this may actually be something other than a result of an allergic reaction to pollen, but I suspect they will again try to get us to administer worthless antibiotics (she doesn't have infection!!!) and cortisone which causes thyroid issues. There has never been any visible oozing pus, so I don't think these are "hotspots" from what I have been reading. Also, it seems that hotspots are quite large (book said they start at one inch and grow) and her largest lesion area is irregular and about 1/2 inch.
My questions are these:
1) Does anyone have some good suggestions to alleviate her suffering? I believe it's an itching/burning sensation. Please keep in mind the delicate skin area near the mucous membranes. I tried a homeopathic cream with apis to numb the skin but she literally screamed...I am now just using cold water when she has an "episode". I am thinking about an anti-itch cream that a woman might use in that area but would it be safe?
2) Has anyone seen this before? Do you all think that it truly is allergy-related or something else? (I don't use harsh detergents and chemicals in the house, she doesn't have fleas or any known food allergies, she does get an occasional wasp bite; I am sure that administering an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics after a dog bite 2 months ago didn't help her immune system, not to mention her heartworm prevention which I have now stopped for the rest of the year. We do go for regular walks in a forest...maybe something there?)
Any help and suggestions are appreciated!!!