About two weeks ago, I took Roo to vet because he started to lick his left front wrist a lot and used his rear leg to itch his under chin. Both were inflamed, but I want to say they are healing up. They don't look like they have healed up, it leaves Roo a black hairless spot on his wrist and scabies under his chin. The hair hasn't grown back yet. The under chin and his wrist are kind of bald. I can post a picture later.

Two weeks ago, the vet told me that he believes it was allergies. He gave Roo an injection for allergies and gave me antibiotic medication, Clavamox lasts for 10 days, so two days ago I noticed that Roo is growing a small bump on his upper neck. I thought it was a microchip, but he received the chip a year ago.

Last night, he felt so warm and didn't feel too well (Slept all day on my bed under the cover). I know he needs to be seen by a vet so I have an appointment today at 4 pm. Roo is developing a larger abscess on his upper neck and the fluid is starting to come out now. I'm not sure what to do. I have thought about compressing it with a warm towel. What can I do at this moment for Roo until our appointment at 4?

This is not Roo, but the abscess of the dachsund looks similar to Roo's upper neck abscess.

http://jasminethedachshund.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/abscess.jpg

If he is going to the Vet today, I would leave the abscess alone entirely. This will allow the Vet to observe the abscess in it's original state.

I would just offer plenty of fluids (baited water if need be), watch for signs of dehydration, and have him promptly at the Vet come appointment time.

If he begins displaying signs of dehydration, increased lethargy, disorientation or vomiting, I would take him directly to the Vet, appointment time be damned.

Thanks Alyssa! I will watch out for those signs.

Can you call the vet and talk to them about what to do for Roo prior to the appointment?

Hope he feels better and this abscess clears up!

I can have my dad call the vet see what they think we should do at this moment. I think I probably not going to do anything until 4 pm to see what the vet say. Just keep a watchful eye on Roo. I hope he feels better soon too!

Update on Roo's condition. The vet seems to rule out allergies. He is not exactly sure what's wrong with Roo, but he is guessing maybe valley fever, tick fever, or some kind of skin parasites. I think he ruled the parasites out because he couldn't see anything under a black light on Roo's skin. He is more of lean on one of those three forms of coccidioidomycosis. I highly doubt it is tick fever, but who knows. Roo is not coughing, has a fever of 104, swollen nodes, and some bizarre skin problems.

Is he on any meds to help? Was the abscess drained?

You guys are in my thoughts!

You know, Amber Morgan's dog, Fizz, had an abscess, high fever, lethargy....sounds similar to what's going on with Roo. Her experience might be helpful in this case.

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=108&Number=221217&Searchpage=1&Main=21803&Words=fizz&topic=0&Search=true#Post221217

I hope this gets cleared up quickly with Roo.

Thanks Jennifer and Sarah.

I read the thread and it seems like Roo has some what similar symptoms. The vet hasn't drained Roo's abscess and said it might be contagious. He told us to wash our hands every time we touch the fluid on his back and keep checking his temperature everyday. If he has a fever, he can have a baby aspirin about 81 mg.

I'm not sure why he didn't drain the abscess. The abscess has opened its own hole. Today I gave Roo a lukewarm bath just to bring his hot body temperature down. It seems to help, but it makes him feel very cold. He shakes a lot now and being very very quiet.

I'm not exactly sure what the vet's plans are, but I am guessing he wants to wait until Roo gets his blood results in. We will find out more by Friday. My sister suggested me that I should bath Roo again later tonight with salt.

I'm kind of wondering what your vet is thinking, Lindsay. Almost every abscess that came through our hospital was flushed out and a drain was inserted...even in the cases where the abscess opened up on its own.

In the rare cases where a drain was not inserted, owners had to bring the dog or cat back in to have a recheck of the site within a day or two.

I'm not getting a good feeling hearing the description of symptoms. Some dogs can carry on normally with an abscess but Roo sounds sick. A full blood panel takes a day to process so your vet should have some news tomorrow. I wouldn't wait until Friday but call first thing tomorrow and ask that something be done.