Skin hot spots in new climate

We moved our 12 year old male Pembroke Gus to Fort Lauderdale with us in June. The weather in NY and FL were virtually the same the month of June - very hot and very humid. Since coming to South Florida, Gus has been developing hot spots above his backbone, first over his hips and then over his shoulders. He now hates to be brushed (he used to love to be raked especially in the NY summers to take that excess fur off) and the latest development were puss-filled systs in his armpits. We took Gus to the vet each time we noticed an issue. We have been bathing him twice a week with medicated shampoo ever since this started (October). This is now his third round of anti-biotics and steroids. I'm concerned that this treatment is symptom-based and not addressing a greater problem. He is otherwise in great spirits and health, just some shaking in the back legs after playing fetch or running alot.

Any similar experiences or advice to share?

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on January 12, 2009 at 1:18pm

I wouldn't go too crazy with steroids. It loses its effectiveness and may not respond when the dog actually needs it. Is he having staph infection? Our Weim broke out in staph infection--we thought it was all kinds of things before the vet convinced us to get an allergy test done. Since then, the pup is happier--corn is always a possibility and Tide (according to my vet). Just see if anything else has changed.

Your pup could very well have an allergy either to food or the environment. I would also looking into some natural oatmeal based shampoos to soothe his skin.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pagliaro on January 12, 2009 at 1:50pm

I don't think it's been staph, but he has had yeast infections between his toes. Vet said it was a chicken and egg thing, no way to tell which came first! Anyway, thanks for the tip, I have some baby clothes detergent and I'll use that instead of the Tide next time his bed pad needs a washing.

Rob

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on January 12, 2009 at 2:04pm

Oh if the baby detergent doesn't work, All makes an allergy formula that's supposed to kill dustmites and other allergens too. It's dye free. We use it because me and our Weim have bad allergies (sad that I have so much in common with our dog, sigh.)

Hmm, as for yeast...that maybe a dietary problem I believe. What are you feeding your pup?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pagliaro on January 12, 2009 at 3:36pm

Neutro. He never had a problem before, except when we put him on Senior with his older sister. It gave him the runs - too much glucosimine.

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on January 12, 2009 at 4:17pm

My suggestion, and I'm sure someone else will suggest this as well, is to get them off of Nutro. Nutro was part of the food recall. There are a lot of complaints dealing with that company. There are other great foods that you can switch your pups to.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on January 12, 2009 at 4:53pm

Gus could have fungus and yeast - antibiotics don't just kill the bad bacteria but the good bacteria that is necessary for a healthy skin and coat and more importantly, a healthy digestive system. Add hot, humid weather and a diet with too many grain based carbohydrates and he could have a raging case on fungus. All this can make a very unhappy and irritable pup.

Charlie has had problems with fungus and yeast and lots of hot spots. We too have been down the antibiotic, steroid and medicated bath route. It is a lot of work and doesn't seem to be much relief.

Gus could also have developed an allergy that he was not exposed to in NY. Charlie has tons of allergies. Thankfully, he feels much better once the weather turns cold here in TN.

Charlie eats a grain-free food and I give him benadryl up to 2x a day when he is really itchy. I put gold bond powder on his hot spots (which he actually seems to enjoy). I have found that Davis Melaleuca Pet Shampoo works much better for us than the vet prescribed, medicated shampoo. (Charlie also does the back leg shaking thing)

Oh, I almost forgot, I also put the gold bond in his armpits and in between his toe pads. He has lots of hair between his toes that the vet has told me to clip but Charlie will bite if anyone messes too much with his feet.

I hope Gus feels better soon - too many antibiotics and steriods can lead to problems with our furbabies just like with people.