Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Heather Perring
Noticed her waking several times in the night to violently chew somewhere on her body. Still has an odd greasy smell.
The odor, the hair loss, the interrupted sleep -- the dog needs a derm vet ASAP.
The progression since November has been marked, including no particular odor on 11/26 to a greasy smell, and to hair loss.
Losing sleep because of the torture of itching and losing hair, along with the yeast (or whatever) odor (and the dog has had ear infections, too) = vet intervention.
Heather Perring Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2008
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Thanks for all the help! The nearest derm vet to me that I found is a little over an hour of a drive and are closed on the weekends. Monday I will be able to contact them and set up an appointment asap.
It makes me angry that the vet here in town wouldn't even give her skin tests, just passing it off as dry skin..I really hope I can find out what's wrong.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Heather Perring
... It makes me angry that the vet here in town wouldn't even give her skin tests, just passing it off as dry skin..I really hope I can find out what's wrong.
I have to correct a misconception.
The skin tests (scratch tests) are almost never done by GP vets. Also, they are not a simple matter. They involve shaving, and a lengthy appointment. The blood tests (ERISA and RAST) are much less accurate, however. The skin tests are the gold standard for pinpointing allergies.
What the skin tests do is I.D. the individual dog's allergens.
So number one will be for the derm vet to examine the dog and take the history to confirm that atopy really is the problem, rather than, say, fleas or thyroid problems (among other possiblities). For example, if the derm vet finds yeast overgrowth, s/he may well conclude that allergies are the underlying cause. (Yeast overgrowth is triggered by something; it can be an illness, a medication, and other things, but it is very very often allergies.)
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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However, IMO, you have plenty of reasons to be angry at the GP vet you saw. She "diagnosed" simple dry skin but gave prednisone!? She did no scraping (lifting of skin cells to examine under the 'scope)! She prescribed Iams!
Heather Perring Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2008
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Thanks for the clarification! I called and set an appointment up with them but they are booked for the next two weeks.
It's a branch of the University of Illinois and they say they have specialists in dermatology. Saw good reviews so I chose them. I'll make sure to update as soon as I get home from the place. I really hope it won't be too overly expensive though, I'm so willing to pay whatever it takes but money is a bit thin this month.. Pushing the dentist appointment back again. Lol.
Reg: 08-29-2006
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Loc: Central Coast, California
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My experience with Derm vet bills is you actually save money in the long run.
I don't have to see mine every time my dog's skin flares. The medications are either sent to me or I pick them up at my regular vet's office. The medications dispensed actually work! With the allergies better managed and the secondary infections gone, my need to see a vet has dramatically decreased.
I'll also share that I had a very frank talk in the beginning with my Derm vet about expenses. "I want to do whatever it takes" does not mean "Open checkbook." Take it from someone who used to work on the other side of the counter, those discussions are appreciated and will help avoid miscommunications and any nasty surprises.
Sarah,
I had the same experience with the Derm vet for Nico. And the holistic vet as well. Both got more results in fewer appointments and for much less money then all the useless tests and medications at the normal vet added up to.
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Re: Minor Hair loss/Itchy Skin
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Pushing the dentist appointment back again. Lol.
With the allergies better managed and the secondary infections gone, my need to see a vet has dramatically decreased.
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