Question by Kirk N: Whats wrong with this Silky Terrier (photos included)?
We really want to help her to stop itching and chewing at herself. Can you help?

Missy’s first problem appeared as a swelling on the right side of her neck. This was aspirated with no real conclusion. It was then biopsied and found to be a non-malignant fat mass. (may not be relevant but worth mentioning)

Within a month or so Missy’s skin got very dry and flaky. This same vet said it was food allergies and then I made her homemade food for about 4 months with no improvement. Things actually got worse. She developed very oily hair and had a bad odour. I changed vets. The second vet diagnosed her with demotectic mites. A type of mite that is only found when a dogs immune system is down. The vet suspected Cushing’s disease. We did a urine sample that said her cortisal was extremely high indicating that in all probability it was Cushing’s. The more expensive tests (up to $ 1000) were not done so it is not 100% sure it is Cushing’s. She has been on Advantage specifically for demotetic mites for over a year, she is also on antibiotics continually since her skin is constantly red and raw from chewing an gnawing. She eats twice as much as she used to. She drinks much more…lapping water with loud slurping noises. If it wasn’t for her appearance/gnawing and increased appetite she would seem to be a healthy energetic dog. I also have a medicated shampoo from the vet and she takes fish oil everyday.

Current meds:
- antibiotic cephalexin 250 1/2 tablet twice per day (to avoid skin infections from open sores)
- Advantage for demotetic mites

Here are some photos of Missy before (super nice silky terrier) and now, poor thing can’t stop scratching and chewing at herself. http://www.flickr.com/photos/63268980@N06/
For those who are suggesting that Missy be put down… read the question… we are trying to find a way to reduce/prevent her scratching and chewing herself. Otherwise she is a happy energetic dog.
For those who are suggesting that Missy be put down… read the question… we are trying to find a way to reduce/prevent her scratching and chewing herself. Otherwise she is a happy energetic dog.
The vet has done two skin scrapings and drew blood twice and determined that she has demotetic mites. The prescription for Advantage doesn’t seem to be helping much at all. Coincidentally I have purchased a bottle of oatmeal bath this week to see if that helps sooth her skin. The photos are taken in moments when she is scratching her self that’s why she looks contorted etc in the photos.
Rosalie:

Thank you for the info, we have been told that the treatment for cushings is $ 1000 per month and that it’s a 50-50 shot to work. Does that sound accurate to you? It’s a heck of a lot of money to spend with so little certainty. Thats why we haven’t done it and why we are trying to minimize the skin condition. Does $ 1000 a month sounds normal?

Best answer:

Answer by defiant
Responsible humans don’t force animals to linger & suffer.

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Question by CK: For cairn terrier experts: 3 questions about cairn terriers?
My cairn terrier puppy is full breed (pedigree) and according to the breed standards he is supposed to be around 14 lbs by adulthood. He is only 5 months and he is 14.25 lbs. He eats 2 times a day and goes on 1 to 2 walks a day. He is full energy so on top of those walks he plays, chases, etc (he never gets tired) his body looks as long as an adult cairn although he is shorter than an adult cairn and he still has his puppy face. Is this a good weight for him? If not, what can I do to help him lose weight? His trainer told me it was puppy fat and that dogs usually carry extra weight in the cold times (winter). Is there any cairn terrier expert that can tell me if this is normal?

My second question, he was just diagnosed with a skin allergy and a ear infection for which he is taking 3 medicines (omega 3 (2), temaril (4), clavamox (2) a day and now he seems very low energy, not his usual playful self, is this because of the medicine? Is it normal or should I be worried? I called the vet but I was told he’s in surgery right now…

My third question, my poor little guy seems to always be getting sick and I hate for him to be taking too much medication, is there anything to boost up his immune system? To decrease his chances of being sick? His vaccines are all up to date.
I wish I could put a picture of him here, so you could see him, but I don’t know how. He does not look overweight to me, just very long. He is full of energy we vary on walks sometimes when we go around the block we go on a 30 min walk, if we go to the park is at least 1 hour to 1.30 hrs walk, on weekends sometimes we go to the beach where he climbs and runs for at least 2 hours. He never gets tired, usually sleeps due to boredom or so it seems.
Thank you for the input on his ear infection and medicine, I think you guys are right.
Up until last week he was completely on Wellness Puppy food but he did not seem to like it. We are now slowly switching to Blue Longevity puppy food, which he seems to love. I was told these are top brands

Best answer:

Answer by Mama Tex
His skin/ear along with always sick are big signs of food allergies. As long as you are still giving him the same food it will continue to be an issue. Antibiotics can make dogs especially puppies sluggish. They can actually be up to 17lbs. Seeing as your trainer can see your dog and we can’t I would accept his weight judgment or ask your vet.

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Question by Lou-Lou?: what shampoo would you recommend to use on a white sentive skinned stafford shire bull terrier?
i have a white staffordshire bull terrier, after a bath she goes an off-white colour after about 5-8 days! so i was wondering about this shampoo:
http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-2+dog/category-is-2g+grooming/category-is-2G04+Shampoos+and+sprays/product-is-20931#product-detail
but should i stay away from that because she gets skin allergies in the summer or should i use the ‘whitening’ one in the winter and this one in the summer:
http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-2+dog/category-is-2g+grooming/category-is-2G04+Shampoos+and+sprays/product-is-20936#customerreviews
because at the minute she has ‘hives’ which are lumps on on the skin, also a while back she got bald patches they went but her fur has thinned out and skin has became dry and a bit flakey which is unusual for her skin allergies.

would you go with health or looks, i would go wih health but what would YOU recommend
thanks
the vet recommended us to look around because she has been having allot of shampoo’s from the vet she has had 6 differen ones all costing around £20-£35 and also £20 to be seen and this is happening every month so we are wasting around £50 a month and money isn’t flying around our household

Best answer:

Answer by Dogmom CA
The whitening shampoos work well, but can be drying to the skin. I would not use it on a dog with these issues. Your best bet would be a prescription shampoo from your vet that is designed to help with these issues. Most shampoos are just going to add to the skin irritation she already has.

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Question by galantracer: Very itchy 2 year old Wire Fox Terrier?
Gracie has been itching here and there since she was a little puppy. Started out with nothing major, fast forward to today…she is itching 24/7, chews/licks her paws. Her skin is pink in color all over the body with red spots (where she itches), also fur coat is less dense in areas where she itches.
I took her to the vet 2 times for this same problem. First time we were given a spray that soothed itchy areas (it was only her neck at that time). 2 months ago I went for the second time and was given Clemastine Fumar and Advantage flea medication.
Flea medication did not make the itching go away, nor did Clemastine F. Her itching does not increase/decrease with seasons or times of the day or outside weather. However she started to lick/chew her paws right after a big snow storm 2-3 weeks ago.
There are two things I can come up with…food allergy or allergy to something inside the house or outside or both. Any suggestions on what to do?
I’ve read that switching to Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Duck Allergy formula dog food may help, also switching to Aveeno Oatmeal-based shampoo.
Thank you in advance!
We try to wash her 2 times a month, but in winter time its tough because she gets really dirty at the dog park every time we go there. We tried puppy formula shampoo, flea formula, baby shampoo…none helped the skin irritation.
OK, I bought her Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Duck formula. No more snack for about 10 weeks or so. Also I bought a shampoo that has aloe in it as well as oatmeal for Petco. I hope this solves the problem. Otherwise I foresee a trip to the vet…a different one this time.

Best answer:

Answer by Jane Marple
Sounds a lot like food allergy. I have a friend who owns a wire fox terrier. He had the same problem as you. He tried all the alternative food on the market and at the end he solved his problem by cooking himself for his dog. He makes a mixture of chicken and sweet potatoes and something else (you need to validate the right way to do this). He cooks huge batches that he freezes and since he started that his dog is doing A1.

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Question by Mary G: what happened to my boston terrier
I had a 4 year old boston terrier, in good health with the exception of skin allergies, grass and heat aggravated the allergies and we were managing them ok. I left the dog with a lady overnight while I was out of town. This lady had watched her before. She claims she took the dog with her to take her grandson to work and though it was hot out in the mid to upper 80’s they had the car windows down instead of running the AC. She said the dog was panting heavily and got sick in the car, so on the way back home she rolled up the windows and turned on AC and put the dog in the front passanger seat to cool her off. She said she stopped on the way home got the dog out and let her walk around and drink water and she seemed fine. She got home the dog was panting again, she said the dog jumped up in her lap and laid down and died. What happened, did she have a heat stroke?

Best answer:

Answer by I Love Softball!
i would say so

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