My Dog's Skin Infection Won't Go Away
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 06:00 CST
Q: My dog Dred has a bad skin problem. His doctor said Dred has a skin infection, and he has been using antibiotics (different ones) for the last five months, but nothing seems to help. Can you offer any advice? We're desperate as he is not getting better and seems uncomfortable.
A: There is no reason to treat a pet for five months without obtaining the proper diagnosis or referring you to another doctor who can help. If your veterinarian's diagnosis of skin infection were correct, Dred would have already recovered.
First, a correct diagnosis must be made. I would suggest a complete blood and urine profile and then a skin biopsy. My guess is that Dred does not simply have an infection or he would have responded to the antibiotic therapy. You won't know exactly what's wrong until you have the test results, but from your description, I wouldn't be surprised with a diagnosis of mange, fungal infection or autoimmune skin disease. The treatment will vary with the diagnosis, but general therapy would include supplements to boost the immune system and heal the skin.
Topical therapy with soaks or creams may also be indicated. Do not give him any vaccinations until this problem is corrected. Let us know how things turn out.
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Send questions to Dr. Shawn Messonnier at Paws & Claws Animal Hospital, 2145 W. Park, Plano TX, 75075 or naturalvet(AT)juno.com. Visit him at www .petcarenaturally.com and listen to his show, The Natural Vet, on Martha Stewart Radio, Sirius channel 112, Tuesday evenings.
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Source: The Dallas Morning News
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