skin issues on dog. Tips, or long term steroid use?

[Branleuse]

My dog is a rescue. Ive had her a few months, shes about 7.
Shes had irritated skin, which seems to be small red areas which go a bit scabby and you can see little lumps under her fur where they are.

Vet originally prescribed malaseb baths twice a week. Shes been on steroids twice, which seems to help, but doesnt get rid entirely.
Vet said that long term steroid use isnt a good idea for the kidneys.
A friend suggested raw diet. I tried it and it really upset her tummy.
I also tried a low dose of piriton in case of allergies. That upset her tummy too.
Ive now put her on grain free diet. Its been about a week. No improvements. Probably worse because not on steroids
I dont think she is massively bothered herself, but hard to tell with her as shes such a gentle soul, I dont think she would complain about anything.

Has anyone else got any ideas? Is long term steroids the only option? How bad is that?

Try Stinky Stuff.

We had a doberman once, 20+ years ago, with skin issues, red and lots of scratching. Once we got her on the right food it cleared right up.

I would go for a high quality grain free single (two at most, preferably not chicken) protein source food for a few weeks, if that doesnt work try another protien. Absolutely no other food/ treats.

Where is the rash?

Our dogs has terrible skin. He is having cytopoint injections at the moment. Malaseb shampoo absolutely dis not work but cloreyderm worked better. He has incredibly dry skin too which doesnt help so I told the vet that I am going to try coconut oil baths and she said it was work a try.

I've been rubbing him with pure coconut oil and then making sire I wash it off (if I dont he is a greasy mess and it annoys him) with clorexyderm. His skin is not so dry and not perfect but a lot better than it was, so you might want to give it a go and see if it helps.

Dog not dogs*

Hi you could try anti histamines? Our pug has terrible skin problems . Which we now manage with those !

He was on steroids for 2 years . And it has left him with kidney and bladder problems we were never warned that he needed monitoring on them the previous vet just kept prescribing them , he ended up with kidney and bladder stones and needed surgery. He now has scans every 12 weeks on kidneys and bladder also a special prescribed dog food .

Pls go back to your vet - you don’t seem to have a diagnosis for starters so when asking for treatment recommendations, no one can give you an appropriate answer. If your vet doesn’t have a particular interest in dermatology perhaps ask for a second opinion with one who does. Skin lesions can look very similar with lots of different causes. Straightforward allergic disease is less likely in a middle aged dog but it does sounds like this is not a new problem for her. There are lots of alternatives to long term steroid use for most conditions now.

If you look on the RCVS website you can find Advanced Practitioners or Specialists in your area. Specialists can be very expensive for referrals but Advanced Practitioners can often be very very good in their area of interest, just not done a formal residency program, and usually practice as GPs with particular areas of interest as well. You can find the individual vets listed by their accreditation on the RCVS find a vet advanced search, it might not link directly to their practice though so you’d have to google their name then.

This is what i mean

some of those are just dark marks on her fur, but you can see the bits where the scabs have taken hair out too

I am definitely going to ask if any of the vets have an interest in dematology, thanks. Looks like theres nothing that local to me regarding specialists though

My old terrier had a nasty skin problem after a bite went funny. Vet didn't help but friend recommended hibiscrub bath. That sorted it. Worth a try (amazon sell it)

My dog had testing, he has Pyoderma (?) I think that's just a generic term. Nothing that they have prescribed gets rid of it permanently but it does get better when he has his treatment

Any skin issues you need to do a 6 week very strict diet trial, no treats. Most allergies are food related anc it's normally a protein allergy, not grain. You need to feed an unusual protein, so salmon and potato, lamb and rice, venison and tapioca. Pick one and stick to it for 6 weeks. This is the cheapest and easiest way to find out what the issue is.

I've got another thread going conceding allergies. Our Lab, 8 months has been itching for a fee weeks, it got worse and became scabby so I took him to the vet, he said it was an allergy of some kind and has prescribed 2 weeks of antibiotics and steroids.
The itching has stopped after 4 days but I'm worried what happens when the tablets stop.
The vet said food allergies are rare and it's more likely to be grass or pollen which is common in teen dogs.
He also said there is a vaccine to think about too.
He's currently fed on a grain free chicken kibble but the vet said not to change his food yet.
It's a worry

I am presuming it is the belly that is affected. If he goes on walks it is worth cleaning his belly afterwards and his legs, feet. My neighbour had an old fashioned vet who said that it was grass mites or something setting it off and to clean dog down each time with warm salty water. Cheaper than vets and it worked.

F

@Branleuse please try derm opt, I spent hundreds on my dog, blood tests, steroids, diet, vet prescribed shampoo and nothing worked. Derm Opt shampoo cleared up my Jack Russell's skin after 3-4 washes, he'd had sudden bad skin, hair loss, dry flakey patches with raised bumps and it completely cleared it. Amazing stuff and now my vet also recommends it!

You can buy on amazon

This is what it is

Our dog is on a grain free diet (Taste of the Wild kibble) also no bread and no dairy.

We use Dog Skin it's a supplement you can get at most places but we order it from Pets at Home and that seems to help - took about a month though to show the difference in his skin and coat.

Try an allergy blood test at the vets , mine came bk allergic to all meat so has to have an alternative protein. Skin 90% better. Dog also allergic to dust mites so has antihistamines 2

My dog gets terribly itchy skin. The vet has prescribed her Apoquel - it is a wonder drug! It takes away completely the desire to scratch which then allows the skin to heal and my dog is much calmer and happier. It is quite pricey though. In 3 years my dog has had 3 courses of treatment when her skin gets irritated but she is not on the tablets all the time.

Thanks everyone. The rescue centre has said to bring her in to see their vet and they'll see if they can help. Ive also been giving her salmon oil chews but ill try salmon food too, aand have ordered stinky stuff