Lumps and rash under fur

Hi all,

So after sorting sky's fishy pong out, she has now developed another issue. The only way I can describe it is spots underneath her fur. They are not full of puss, or dry, more raised like some allergic reaction. When she stands in the light, her fur just looks awful and lumpy.

I noticed it yesterday, but thought maybe it will go in 24hrs, but looks like it's getting worse. She's got the spots on her head, neck, legs, back, everywhere really.

She doesn't appear to be itching them nor has her behaviour changed in any way.

I notice a few older posts referencing something similar many years ago, but there's not update as to what it was. Who needs kids when you've got dogs lol

Yup familiar scenes here, my Flo has the same sort of flair up from time to time and we've never gotten to the bottom of it. Our vet says its allergies and offered a mega expensive course of injections without guarantees.

We opted to monitor and treat any soreness and Flo does ok with the rare outbreak. Having said that, it's probably worth getting a vet opinion.

aww poor Sky,try a little coconut oil on them it can sooth the skin if it gets itchy,let us know how she is 

Thank guys! Ian what treatment can I do at home!?  Was thinking of giving her a bath with some medicated shampoo. Ive got some coconut oil so I can start that.

brophski wrote:Thank guys! Ian what treatment can I do at home!?  Was thinking of giving her a bath with some medicated shampoo. Ive got some coconut oil so I can start that.

coconut oil is great, but I wouldn't bathe her just yet. if she has an allergy & the skin is a little sensitive you could make it worse.

have you tried giving her a Piriton tablet?

Never heard of Piriton tablets ? At the moment I've not done any treatment. May hold off with the coconut oil, or apply to a little area see if it helps

Piriton are anti-histamine tablets. You only need half a tablet, twice a day. If it's an allergic reaction to something then the Piriton should help with the symptoms. Only get Piriton NOT Piriteze - you may need to get it from a pharmacy, but don't tell them it's for a dog or they won't sell it to you! don't get talked into getting a generic brand - some of them have ingredients that aren't suitable for dogs.

cocnut oil is really good. it's virtually hypoallergenic, and a little goes a long way. It's also non toxic, unlike some of the baby creams like Sudocrem.

Katy gets like that after running through long grass, if it bothers her I put savlon on it. But only in places she cant lick!

Sorry for the late reply, I use coconut oil in food and on skin, however, flair ups still happen. We also use Piriton during the summer but have noticed our girl is scratchy this winter too so that kinda negates the grass theory.

A wash may help with medicated shampoo and can't see that it would make anything worse.

Whenever i washed mia id use oatmeal or teatree shampoo . It definitely is an allergy to something have you changed your soap powder at all ? Im also a big fan of savlon and salt water for minor scratches. To be on the safe side make an appointment with the vet .

As I was going out to get some Piriton I thought I'd just have last minute check, and just thought this seems to be getting worse. So I popped to the vet.

I explained that I was going to give her Piriton, and she said it is the same stuff that they provide. She agreed it is something that has irritated her, and asked if I had changed anything recently. Thinking back the only thing she has started doing is jumping in the water at the local park. Vet advised this time of year, it isn't the best as the suns not out to kill of any parasites with UV, and the dogs stay wet alot longer. Makes sense I guess. Although she did say you may never know what did it.

The vet thought Sky was very inflamed around the neck, and gave her a steroid injection. Tons of blood came out, which shocked me, however the vet said that very rarely happens unless the inflammation is bad, so felt it was good taking her down when I did. Don't want her uncomfortable.

Sky had one tablet last night, and this morning I'd say 85% of the lumps have gone. Her neck area is still a little inflamed but looking good. Them tablets are amazing.

Will keep my eye on her, but hopefully looking good :-)

It could well be the water that's the cause, one to avoid for the time being I would think. You did the right thing with the vet visit, always better to be safe

brophski wrote:

I explained that I was going to give her Piriton, and she said it is the same stuff that they provide.
:-)

Be careful - vets charge a LOT more for their antihistamine tablets than tge pharmacy do! It's always worth having some in tge medicine cupboard, though.

Glad she seems to be improving, hopefully it'll just be 'one of those things' and you'll get no more problems.

P.S. Did you know that taking Piriton (or similar) yourself when you get a cold can lessen that horrible blicked or runny nose that you get?

This happened to the dogue de Bordeaux I looked after. I gave her piriton and slowly changed her onto grain free diet. Didn't happen again on the new food. It's always handy to have piriton on standby

Bit of an update so far,

Skin had another crazy reaction to something so popped back to the vets again last week, as she looked dreadful. Advised that I needed to continue with the Piriton and change a few other things.

Recommended YuMEGA Itchy Dog Supplement for dogs Omega 3/6 oil:- Every day on her food.

Change her dry food to a wet food, as all dry foods contain mites. I informed her Sky was on Wainwright kibble, and a bit of Wainwright meat too! Advised me to change this to Chappie.

Change flea treatment to Advantage, as opposed to Frontline which she says is quite a poor product now.

..

So with regards to the new recommendations, Sky's poop is no where near as perfect as it was with the Wainwright kibble. Plus when she poops now, she often has a snack on it. Guessing because it is low quality food, and still has appeal? Not sure on the Chappie looks cheap, and she has about 1 & 2/3 of a can a day, doesn't last long!

The Omega oil :- Probably too early to see if it has an impact. Bottle states 3-6 weeks to notice a difference.

Advantage this doing now on a monthly basis.

Sky still seems to have the dandruff on her quite alot. Red rashes have all gone, but she seems extremely knackered. Usually I open the cheese she is there, not anymore just stays asleep. Doesn't really seem her usually bouncy self. Not sure if its the longer walks, but I didn't give her the Piriton today, as she just seemed doped up. Not quite sure what is going on with her. Watching her walk around the house, you'd think she was super old!

Piriton affects me like that!

I know how worrying it is when your dogs not right, I hope you get to the bottom of it. I thought Chappie was only advised in the short term for an upset tummy. I think If it was me I'd go back to the vet or even see another vet for a 2nd opinion.i changed vets till I found my current one, I 100% trust him