Falcon and I just returned from the Dermatologist/Allergy veterinarian.

"Falcon has a secondary bacterial skin infection superimposed on suspected scabies and possible allergies."

He responded positively to the Pinnal/Pedal Reflex test, but scrapings were negative for mites (not unusual).

He and our other dog and two cats will all be treated with Selamectin for three treatments 2 weeks apart. (None of the other animals have any symptoms).

Falcon is also on Cephalexin (antiobotic), Amitriptyline (antihistimine - I asked to stay off Prednisone if possible), Chlorhexiderm solution (topical solution), and is to be bathed 2 x week with DermaBenSs and also use KetoChlor, a leave-on conditioner.

For those who inquired about cost, today's visit was $609. $185 of this was to treat our other pets, leaving Falcon's portion at $423.

I hope this is just mites, however I suspect allergies. With that said, I have been wrong on one or two occassions...

Edited by Barbara Schuler (10/04/2010 01:25 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

So, you are going to see where Falcon is at after treatment with the Selamectin? I know they want to rule out fleas and mites before going ahead with other skin testing.
What did he say about potential allergies? Yet to be determined?

Yikes Barbara, that is a hefty cost and you haven't even done intradermal testing yet, right?

Kaia's intradermal testing cost about $670 with specialty shampoo and a script for Hydroxyzine.

I hope Falcon will be free and clear after the selamectin treatments.

Barbara, amitriptyline is not an antihistamine. It's an antidepressant for humans and used to treat anxiety and separation anxiety in dogs (and other behavior problems). They use it to curb excessive grooming due to anxiety.

Are you sure that's what it is?

 Quote: joyce salazar

So, you are going to see where Falcon is at after treatment with the Selamectin? I know they want to rule out fleas and mites before going ahead with other skin testing.
What did he say about potential allergies? Yet to be determined?

Yikes Barbara, that is a hefty cost and you haven't even done intradermal testing yet, right?

Due to his "positive" reaction to the Pinnal/Pedal test, the vet felt she had to start with the mite option, however the more I think about this today the more I freak out a bit... None of the other animals are showing any symptoms what so ever, and considering how highly contagious mites are, I'm a bit stressed over this route. It is not the $$ - IF this is the issue it is a good value to get everything done in one swoop. My concern, as is it for anyone facing allergy testing is we do this now, then something else next, etc... I know it is par for the course and I'll be calmer in the AM.

If the mite treatment is not effective, the next plan is food allergies. That was the only discussion we had regarding possible allergies other than lightly discussing pollens, etc... When I asked about why this, when supposedly only 10% of allergies are food related, she said that GSDs are more likely to have food allergies than some other breeds. She was very supportive of our feeding raw and said that with hunting season just opening, we might be able to snag some fresh venison. I was VERY relieved to not have to fight any battles in that arena.

 Quote: katie finlay

Barbara, amitriptyline is not an antihistamine. It's an antidepressant for humans and used to treat anxiety and separation anxiety in dogs (and other behavior problems). They use it to curb excessive grooming due to anxiety.

Are you sure that's what it is?

Wow. You guys amaze me!

Katie, the vet's assitant referred to it as an antihistimine to me and on the printout provided it is listed as "Amitriptyline (Antihistamine-like Psychotherapeutic drug)". She said it is used almost like benedryl - to help stop the itching.

You are good, girlfriend!

We do what we can

That comes from combined human and veterinary medicine experience. I've found it's really neat to have both.

I can see why they prescribed it then. I don't think it will stop the itching, it just makes Falcon more comfortable and at ease with it.

Due to his "positive" reaction to the Pinnal/Pedal test, the vet felt she had to start with the mite option ...

Good. Many allergy specialty centers won't even do intradermal without treating first for external parasites. With a positive Pedal-Pinna Reflex in a patient suspected of having allergies, the vet is being properly conservative (JMO).

In my Textbook of Small Animal Medicine, page 199: "Parasitic disorders are among the commonest pruritic skin diseases and exclusion by laboratory tests and response to trial parasiticidal therapy early in the course of the investigation is desirable."

Even though flea hypersensitivity is #1 for allergy symptoms in dogs, it's a category that properly includes other external parasites too. (It's just that fleas are overwhelmingly the most likely among these parasites.)


If the mite treatment is not effective, the next plan is food allergies. That was the only discussion we had regarding possible allergies other than lightly discussing pollens, etc... When I asked about why this, when supposedly only 10% of allergies are food related, she said that GSDs are more likely to have food allergies than some other breeds.

Most allergy specialists will rule out food allergies before intradermal for several reasons, not least of which is that food allergies are far simpler (not easy -- but simpler) and far cheaper to rule out first. Everything that can be ruled out before intradermal is (or should be) ruled out.

JMO.

Food allergies are simple for the vets - not so easy for us poor owners that have to do them! I hated the elimination diet thing!

As for the antihistimine you are using being a 'psychiatric' type of drug for anxiety/depression, it's not the only one. Hydroxyzine, which is often the most effect antihistimine for dogs, is also used for anxiety in humans. I guess there are 2 types of antihistimines - H1 and H2 blockers. Benedryl, chlortrimeton, etc are H2 and aren't as effective in dogs as humans for itching. The H1, hydroxyzine, Amitriptyline work better, but my vet at least, is hesitant to use them as much as the chlortrimeton because they are a 'harder' type of drug, thus the antidepression/anxiety part. I only the hydroxyzine occassionally when he's really itching a lot.

 Quote: Lori Hall

As for the antihistimine you are using being a 'psychiatric' type of drug for anxiety/depression, it's not the only one. Hydroxyzine, which is often the most effect antihistimine for dogs, is also used for anxiety in humans. I guess there are 2 types of antihistimines - H1 and H2 blockers. Benedryl, chlortrimeton, etc are H2 and aren't as effective in dogs as humans for itching. The H1, hydroxyzine, Amitriptyline work better, but my vet at least, is hesitant to use them as much as the chlortrimeton because they are a 'harder' type of drug, thus the antidepression/anxiety part. I only the hydroxyzine occassionally when he's really itching a lot.

Thanks for the explanation of these Lori! I learn something new here just about every day.

 Quote: lori hall

Food allergies are simple for the vets - not so easy for us poor owners that have to do them! I hated the elimination diet thing!

The more info I get on this situation the more I'm thinking (hoping) it might actually be "just" mites. Connie told me one of her dogs had them at one point and none of the other dogs got them, and about the jagged ear bit, so perhaps, just perhaps, we won't end up having to do the evil diet process. Who ever thought I'd be HOPING for mites?? LOL! And thanks for the additional info on the meds.