Pyoderma in Pets

[rosesixtyfive]

Has anyone had a pet diagnosed with pyoderma? We have a rescued schnauzer and I have tried to keep my cool, but I am freaking out. We were told the pet was healthy. He had been in foster care for 9 months with a "loving" foster mom who only asked for the money she had paid in vet bills which was not that much for 9 months. Now, we are discovering our pet has skin problems, and probably allergies. From what I can gather, pets with pyoderma culture staph intermedius and this is not the same staph that people usually culture. I would love to talk to someone who has experience with this. The vet looked very confused when I asked her CF specific questions. I have conferred with pulmonologist and he says it is highly unlikely that there is a problem, but I am still hyper-vigilant, because I worry, and that's just what I do.
Thank you,
rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam, ddf508, 5 years old

 

[Ratatosk]

We have a dog with allergies, which have led to skin issues. He was a rescue dog that'd had quite a few health issues prior to our adopting him, but was perfectly healthy up until a few years ago. A few times a year he gets out of control itching which needs intervention. They've checked for yeast and infection and nothing's ever really grown from the cultures. We tried allergy shots to no avail, Benadryl/zyrtec, switched food, special shampoos with weekly baths. Like I said, it's usually under control. When the dog has an allergy "attack" he's usually so miserable that he sleeps on his dog bed or kennel. We don't allow the dog up on the furniture. And quite frankly, despite having the dog for ds, he doesn't spend all that much time with him. I have explained to the vet clinic that we need to keep control of this because of cf. DH and I have talked about what-ifs, because the last time, the dog was so miserable, I wasn't so sure I'd be bringing him home. IMO, speak with your doctor or an infectious disease specialist about your concerns. Something we'll be revisiting this winter at ds' next appointment.

 

[Rebjane]

This is interesting. Our dog has been having some skin issues. I thought it was a hot spot(under the collar area)..We've done special medicated baths, antibiotics, prednisone. It came back after we stopped the prednisone. Back to the vet; given special flea medicine and more prednisone(which she is still on)...She feels better on the prednisone. Vet did say dog could have allergies. I too keep the dog off the furniture( wash her dog bed).. They did not culture her itchy spots.

As the dog has gotten older, my daughter(with CF) really doesn't interact with the dog as much. My older son does more. Dog is part of the family..

 

[Ratatosk]

They are part of the family, so I hesitate to "send him to the farm" if it can be kept in check, but don't want to risk ds' health either if it does turn out to be something serious. There is some new drug coming down the pipe for dogs who develop hot spots due to allergies -- So I'm hoping it won't be too spendy -- heard about it thanks to Froggymama's Dad's blog.... http://drphilvet.blogspot.com/

 

[rosesixtyfive]

Thanks, Rebjane and Ratatosk. I called for further clarification. I will let you know what they say.
rosesixtyfive,
mother of Sam, ddf508

 

[rosesixtyfive]

Sorry, I'm tired. I called the CF clinic for the second time for clarification.

 

[RobinB29]

Try switching to a gluten-free (grain free) pet food. My Yorkie had skin issues and nothing else fixed it but that and my cat had patchy hair loss and the food fixed it and I have a friend with a rott that had the same deal. Its common in purebred animals. My two mutts eat everything with my issue but other pets i've had or known seem to have weird food allergies.