Connie,

Yes Frazier gets and is getting rid of the black crud now.
But I looked up how the staph infection looks also and that is where they get the little blisters.
Frazier has had both conditions at the same time.
Which is what the Derm Vet said the first time we went to see her (I believe).
So he is getting the medicated baths and antibiotics now and we'll see what happens after this round of pills.
At any rate I hope it will stop coming back eventually.
I will do more reading about the subjects.

Geri




Thanks Geri

Connie,

I asked my vet about using steriods and antibiotics at the same time and she said that there was a fine line of using just the right amont of steriods and the right antibiotics.
So at any rate he is healing now but I still think that the allergy shots may be too strong. So I'm going to make an appmt for that issue.

Geri

Yes, that sure makes sense.


PS

How's the flea situation?

I want to add my voice to Lori's in saying that an allergic dog plus fleas (ANY fleas) = a big itchy mess. And you can't gauge the presence of fleas by a non-sensitive dog. I started to go back, but it's too many posts: did you do a white-sheet test recently on either dog?

I also wanted to say what a great diligent job you are doing in what I know is an extremely frustrating situation.

Connie,
I haven't done the white sheet test yet. But my question is what if we find a flea or two. I don't know if there is anymore that we can be doing at this point.
Give flea bath once a week rather than a medicated bath. ?
Per Lori's advise I'm going to switch my spot on to what she is using. (I have to go and look at past posts for the name.)
We have appmt on the 11th for the Derm Vet to see if maybe the shots are too strong.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. We are really trying to help this guy.
Just a side note, I just had a trainer tell me Fraizer's gait (shepherd from Germany) looks like he has hip problems. Just what we need. So I guess I'll need to get his hips x-rayed.
I guess that will be a whole other thread. Just wanted to let you know.

Geri

There are some very detailed threads here on the whole flea protocol, from carpet to how to improve the bath's effects to vacuum bags disposed of outdoors and more. I'll help find them.

Do the test.

Don't borrow trouble on the hips. Of course, x-ray, but also know that the manifestation -- the effect on the dog -- even when HD is present, is not the same, dog to dog. And yes, that would be a different thread.

And I want to add again that you do NOT want fleas in the mix with an allergic dog. IME, flea hypersensitivity exacerbates atopy terribly.

I'll try and get to the white sheet test this week end. I just read a couple of things by Cindy R. and she said to use the following for flea problems :
-Powdered kelp
-Powdered Alfalfa Leaf
-Vitamine E - about 400
-Yucca Intensive
-Yeast & Fungal Detox
-Vitamine C (to bowl tolerance)
-Fish Oil - (cod liver, samon)

We are using the fish oil, and vit e. I have Alfalfa leaf, and and Kelp. I took him off of them when we started the Derm vet as I think I read where they can be allergic to Alfalfa.
I just don't want to complicate things right now and add too many things to his day.
Also what do you think of adding a Flea bath once in awhile if we do find any? We have no carpets and I just had the baseboards steam cleaned. So I do not think the house is a problem. The dogs are only on tile floors.
I'll let you know if I find anything on the sheet asap.

I'm thinking that maybe the yeast and fungal detox might be good as he keeps getting the black crud back. I'm going to Derm Vet again on Tue and maybe have her do another test and see if there is still too much bacteria on the skin.
Thanks

Geri

"the white sheet test this week end"

Chances are good that this will not take more than a couple of minutes to get your proof.

It's almost too simple and straightforward to even call a "test." LOL

Brush the dog (you probably don't even need a flea comb; that's for Part Two, ONLY IF NECESSARY) over a white sheet. Have some water and an eyedropper or other tiny dispenser ready to wet the "pepper." When it turns red (even one), that's it. You have your results.

How is it going, Geri?

Connie,

We're not doing too bad. Just short on time. I'm making a promise to do the flea check this week end.

We went to the Derm Vet for check up and she found some cocci (not sure of the spelling) on paws, but not much and on the anus area.
He has about 4 or so days left of his antibiotics.
So again it is going to be how to keep the black crud away.
I'm asked her about using Comfortis 1st of month and advantix on the 15th and she was good with that. (need to find the cheapest place to find that stuff). Seems like everyone's prices are about the same in the long run.
Anyway, that way we can do more medicated baths.
We cut down his allergy shots to 2 cc and we are going to inch up on the dose. She wants to get back up to 3.5 cc but I think that will be too much. We'll see.
I'm still having a little trouble with giving the shots. He does ok with the lower dose of 2cc. But she wants him back up to the 3.5 and he jerks away even with treats awaiting him.
We're still doing all the other protocals.
Instead of using the pads I'm going to get the spray Lori talks about so I can use it on his rear area and get under all his hair where he is itching lately. Seems like if I use the pads under the tail it helps a lot with that area. He 's not licking his paws a whole lot, sometimes I think it just something to do.
I think that is everything.
Thanks for checking in.

Geri