Annoyed, slightly embarrassed and not sure I've done the right thing

[LaurieFairyCake]

My dog has a horrible skin condition - after 2 courses of different antibiotics it's done nothing so they took swabs and ruled out infection.

They said it's not mites and not infection leaving auto immune (and nothing else) but they want a diagnosis before treatment

So after reading everything I was a bit forceful on getting steroids as that's the treatment for all auto immune (and it's been 3 weeks and the dog is miserable and in horrible pain and waking me all night with his constant cone licking as it's all round his mouth)

But the vet isn't entirely happy and wanted to wait (at least 2 weeks) for a skin specialist

If there is no other treatment and auto immune is the only thing remaining, what am I missing ?

sorry but it sounds like your vets practice has a policy to milk the maximum amount of money from your insurance. i am guessing if you were paying privately that emetic tablet would have been their suggestion.

my friends mother was put through a hellish range of treatments and hospitalisations under her private health insurance when it was stunningly obvious she was bipolar and needed to try simple, cheap first approach mood stabilisers. likewise i've known of dentists in the old days who put children (nhs pays the bill) through unnecessary dental treatments to keep the money rolling in.

i would call and ask your insurance company if you are able to switch practices mid treatment and go to see another vet if you can and NOT tell them you were insured until after they recommended an approach.

in the interim i wonder if something like a decent nappy cream (barrier cream) would provide some relief and protection? along with anti histamines in case they haven't been tried.

(and the ever effective warm salty water - could pour a warm bath, handfuls of salt in it and a fair few drops of lavender ((antiseptic amongst other things)) oil and pour it over)

if you can stand a bit of grimness beat eggs, a spoon of honey and some omega 3 oil together and coat her in it and leave it on for half an hour or so before doing the salt bath.

it works wonders on scalps and hair (won't bore you with the reasons but one big thing is it gets protein in there) and may be good on a dogs skin. i think our reliance on 'experts' makes us forget natural remedies and approaches even more so with our animals than with ourselves.

Can you get an appointment with the specialist sooner? Can you call them directly and see if they will move you up on the list or if they would be willing to call you in case of anyone else cancelling?

To be honest the specialist should be your first port of call now that obvious treatments have not worked.

Alternatively would the vet consider a mild sedative to help control the itching/scratching suffering until the appointment?

I'm so grateful for all your input and suggestions

Boohoohoo - we haven't had any treatment apart from 2 courses of antibiotics which didn't do anything - the steroids last night were the first. We've been offered no anti histamines or sedatives or any treatment at all.

The specialists all placed a call the same day - my vets were good about chasing them but the appointments offered were 2 weeks and a month away

Mewling - I'm definitely going to add cod liver oil to her food, thanks for that

HoneyBadger - I don't want to think that about the vets but this is the 5th lot of treatment and diagnosis my dog has had over the years that just get to the 4000 per treatment. He had a fit a few months ago and the diagnostics cost £4000 including a 900 heart scan. There was no treatment offered at the end as it was likely it was a one off.

I've to wash him in hibi scrub twice a day for the next 5 days - vet said not to use any other solutions on the paws

And as for the emetics - there was a very small risk the dog would continue vomiting for longer - but that was against the surgery which would cost thousands and was very risky with his heart condition and his age

I have no idea why the emetic was not mentioned

I don't want to name them but are you with one of these 'chain' vets. Because I am and they seem to push the whole caboodle as well, whereas my last vet was a bit more gently gently approach
That's not to say I don't like my vet but it does seem very costly (and indeed ends up less expensive than their quotes sometimes)

I hope he is okay Laurie, it sounds miserable :(