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horrible rash....help? ***Update 7/9/07***

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#21 ·
Holy moses, poor guy! My initial thought was that he might be having an adverse reaction to the materials in his body from the surgery, but now that it's spreading, I have no clue! Get better, big buddy!
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
I sent the pictures to a couple other boards that deal with nutrition and illnesses and got a lot of ideas. Most people thought it was some kind of parasite but then agreed that it should have shown up in the scraping. One of my bullie friends said that her dog used to get horrible staph infections from his allergies that look identical to Chico's. We haven't seen any improvement visually but the bumps are now popping and bleeding all over the place. So maybe they are healing? It's lovely. :roll: I'm about to make a phone call right now to the dermatologist that Snarky took India to so hopefully they can fit us in. I'll let you guys know. He doesn't seem to be running a temp and his leg isn't bothering him at all so I'm trying to stay positive about the idea that his plates are infected. That would be really bad news. Thanks for all the support from everyone.
 
#23 ·
If it is staph he's on antibiotic, yes? If it's not stopped spreading he needs to be seen ASAP. Staph is not something to mess around with. My hubby had a staph infection that looked like that from a tattoo. Staph is a very nasty and serious infection! That poor guy.
 
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Discussion starter · #24 ·
Karen, he is on Cephalexin twice a day so hopefully that will help. When I heard the word "staph" it put me in a panic as well. My cousin had to have a section of her thigh removed due to a bad staph infection! :shock: I just called the derm. and the earliest appt. they could give me was for monday. :? I guess dermatologists must be in high demand this time of year. I told them the whole story and they agreed that the antibiotics should start to help if it's a bad infection. So I guess he's on the right start. They said absolutely no bathing until they see him. Poor guy. I then called the ortho surgeon and explained that the rash has spread all over Chico's body and that I'm fearful about his leg. He told me that if it were under his plates, he should be running a temp and he would be lame by now. so that put my mind at ease a little. I don't know if he was just trying to cover his arse or what. SO I feel best to pay the money and get a second, actually third opinion from a specialist. I guess we'll just have to wait until monday. I haven't seen anything to indicate that it's getting worse so for now, I think we can wait. It just makes for long days. My mind starts wanderring and next thing you know, I'm positive he's got some kind of drug resistant flesh eating virus! :lol: A dog from the orthodogs group had a botched knee surgery and the infection got so bad that they had to amputate the leg. But the infection looked completely different than what Chico has. Chico's covers his entire body.
 
#25 ·
It looks like staph to me, too. Keep him on the antibiotic, don't stop it. If it's staph you don't want it to get resistant.
Also try to get some betadine scrub from a feed store, it will see scrub on it. Mix it up w/some water or shampoo and wash him with it.
Often I start lathering the dog, and pour the betadine 1/2 and 1/2 with water on top of the suds, then scrub it all in to the skin.
If you can't find it, use Chlorhexadine or Chlorhexaderm. Same thing. Work up a nice later and pour the chlorhex on 1/2 and 1/2 with water, and scrub it in to the skin.
Both are topical antibiotics and you'll see a marked improvement if it's a staph infection.

They said absolutely no bathing until they see him
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Oops, Forget the above. Or call back and ask them about that????
 
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#28 ·
Chico.Heidi said:
msvette, thanks so much for the advice. I definilty won't stop the antibiotics. I will call the derm and ask about the betadine.
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Amber, I just saw this....so so sorry. Chico looks horrible and my first thought too was poison ivy. I hope it's something simple like that.

I wouldn't bathe him in betadine, India's dermatologist told us to stop immediately. India was also on Cephalexin and Cipro, both pretty tough antibiotics. I'm impressed you got an appt so quick.... I know Monday seems forever away, but do call again for cancelled appt's. I think the Tustin office is open Satuday's as well. If he doesn't improve, just take him in.

Also, print out the pictures you posted on here and take them with you. I took all the ones of India's so they could see how her condition progressed so quickly. If you go to Marina Del Rey, see if Dr. Ghubash can help. She's great. We just received a letter from ACVM stating she made a donation in India's name to help in research development of rare diseases.

This facility you are taking him to is wonderful. They really know their stuff and are quick to help. Have your vet fax over his records to the derm if they haven't done so already.

I pray he gets better fast!!
(hugs and kisses from Baylee)

side note, i don't think it's auto-immune.... just a bad skin infection.....does he smell or have a bad odor?
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
Snarky, I don't think it's auto-immune either because it seems like the pred. would have helped if it was. His skin doesn't stink but he has a foul metallic smell to his breath which is extremely unusual for him. I was shocked at how nice the office is at the Tustin place! It looks nicer than any human dr's office I've ever been to. There must really be alot of bad skin issues around here to support that kind of overhead! I wasn't able to get in with Dr. Ghubash so we just took the first available. The dr. they put us with seems to have decent credentials though so I'm sure it will workout fine. Thanks for the referal too. I kept your PM from a couple months ago.

I don't want to go to an E.R. unless it's an absolute emergency. I think it's best to get to the most qualified person at this point. I just don't want the run around of starting new with someone that may just be guessing. I think for the moment, it does seem to be looking better. And he seems fairly unphased by the rash. I give him Tavist, so the itch is minimal. THese darn dogs!!!! At the rate we're going I may have to refinance my house before the summer is over! :roll:
 
#30 ·
Chico.Heidi said:
Snarky, I don't think it's auto-immune either because it seems like the pred. would have helped if it was. His skin doesn't stink but he has a foul metallic smell to his breath which is extremely unusual for him. I was shocked at how nice the office is at the Tustin place! It looks nicer than any human dr's office I've ever been to. There must really be alot of bad skin issues around here to support that kind of overhead! I wasn't able to get in with Dr. Ghubash so we just took the first available. The dr. they put us with seems to have decent credentials though so I'm sure it will workout fine. Thanks for the referal too. I kept your PM from a couple months ago.
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I'm only advising from India's condition, which looked nothing like Chico's (thank the doggy God) but I was kinda hoping his skin had an odor, India had several bacterial infections and fungi, they said it was just disgusting to look at it through the microscope.... as for the breath, maybe the diet....are you still feeding raw?

Anyway, I think you'll be very pleased with this place. If I remember correctly there are only 400 specialists in the world and we are lucky enough to live close by. I know I'm raving about this place and I just pray they give you the excellent treatment they gave to us.

I wish Chico less and less bumps and will actually pray that I hope Monday gets here quickly.
:wink:
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
I think the breath issue is from him licking his scabs that are now bleeding. :pukeleft: It's sort of a metal/ bloody smell. He is still on a raw diet but I don't think it's really a nutritional issue. The vet I went to commented on how Chico must have had a dental done while in knee surgery because his teeth were spotless. When I mentioned that Chico has been on a raw diet for a year he said, "well you should check your invoice because it definilty looks like he had his teeth cleaned while he was out." :roll: I didn't feel like arguing so I just went with it. As far as his coat goes, it feels and looks healthy other than this crazy rash!
 
#32 ·
I wonder why no betadine, Snarky? Did they say why?
If it's diluted it's not harsh.
Man I love that stuff. I use it on all dogs that come from the shelter as they usually have some sort of skin infection brewing.
 
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#33 ·
msvette2u said:
I wonder why no betadine, Snarky? Did they say why?
If it's diluted it's not harsh.
Man I love that stuff. I use it on all dogs that come from the shelter as they usually have some sort of skin infection brewing.
Click to expand...
You know, I don't remember now. I do know when we left her at the hospital for a week to get treatments and help diagnose her condition, they soaked (also diluted) her 4 times a day... her feet mainly for the nasty infections between the pads. It only helped a little. Once we brought her home, we kept her on the concrete when she was outside and continued the betadine treatments 1 a day. The pads became very cracked and dry. When the derm saw this, she said to stop immediately. Poor girl was in sooo much pain. They never did prescribe a pain medication. I honestly don't know how she lasted so long.

I think they stopped b/c it seemed to do worse than good.
 
#34 ·
Chico.Heidi said:
I think the breath issue is from him licking his scabs that are now bleeding. :pukeleft: It's sort of a metal/ bloody smell.
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yeah, kind of sounds like an iron smell. i was thinking maybe you feed him some greens but it makes sense if he's a licker.

btw, i called Dr. Ghubash about an hour ago but she's out until Monday. What time is Chico's appt.?

I will see if she can call and talk to Chico's Dr and put some extra special love into his visit.
 
#38 ·
Chico.Heidi said:
Cinder said:
I hope it's something quick and easy. That poor boy (and you) have been through enough as it is.
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thanks. This is kind of the worst summer so far. Luckilly, Chico is a really happy go lucky kind of guy and doesn't seem to notice anything is wrong.
Click to expand...


Just a thought...he's just getting to go outside on walks again, right? Did hubby put anything down on grass he could have a reaction to?
 
#39 ·
snarky said:
msvette2u said:
I wonder why no betadine, Snarky? Did they say why?
If it's diluted it's not harsh.
Man I love that stuff. I use it on all dogs that come from the shelter as they usually have some sort of skin infection brewing.
Click to expand...
You know, I don't remember now. I do know when we left her at the hospital for a week to get treatments and help diagnose her condition, they soaked (also diluted) her 4 times a day... her feet mainly for the nasty infections between the pads. It only helped a little. Once we brought her home, we kept her on the concrete when she was outside and continued the betadine treatments 1 a day. The pads became very cracked and dry. When the derm saw this, she said to stop immediately. Poor girl was in sooo much pain. They never did prescribe a pain medication. I honestly don't know how she lasted so long.

I think they stopped b/c it seemed to do worse than good.
Click to expand...
Yeah probably it would...if used in that manner. I was thinking a one time shot with it, and diluted at that.
We used it like that on one kiddo we had here with some staph skin infection and he healed right up (was on oral meds too).
 
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Discussion starter · #40 ·
Cinder said:
Chico.Heidi said:
Cinder said:
I hope it's something quick and easy. That poor boy (and you) have been through enough as it is.
Click to expand...
thanks. This is kind of the worst summer so far. Luckilly, Chico is a really happy go lucky kind of guy and doesn't seem to notice anything is wrong.
Click to expand...


Just a thought...he's just getting to go outside on walks again, right? Did hubby put anything down on grass he could have a reaction to?
Click to expand...
Nothin. we actually only have dirt at the moment. Our yard is under construction.
 
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