please help! PIX, what is this? german shep--

[marisakay123]

our 7 yr old german sheperd has always has sensitive skin....for the past 3-4 yrs about once a yr I have to take her to vet because she gets a severe skin infection from something> one time it was lawn chemicals on FIL house, another time it was carpet deoderizer I used on floor, and another time cleaning products I mopped the floor w....

well in JUNE i was 9 months preggo and cleaning EVERYTHING!!! including the laundry room (where Panzer's bed is)...I mopped the floors really really well and scrubbed them and did not allow her in there all day thinking she would be fine....well about 1 week later sure enough she broke out horribly and itchy. same week I had the baby..so I was kinda hoping it would clear on its own w medicated shampoo...it did not and got worse....a few weeks later (july) took to vet and she gave me an ointment (did not help) few weeks later (AUG) I took her back because MUCH WORSE then I have ever seen! she was losing pacthes of hair, smelled, etc....dr gave predinsone and pills to clear up the "infection" seemed to help almost instantly...but not completely. now a few weeks later she is still itchy and still losing hair (where she scratches, behind ears, etc) I am definitely going to take her back to vet, but what could this be???? it is all over her back but MUCH worse where she can get to it.....I took these pix jsut now AFTER her bath....on her back it looked liek BROWNS pebbles all over her//I assume scabs???? now it is ***** and red and big bumps all over....poor girl. any adivice?? what medications to u recommend?? any idea what this is???

she has been on Natural Choice Lamb and rice food for large breed adults for about 6 months..before that Eagle Pack Natural for about 1 yr.

thanks for any and all advice!!!! I appreciate!

neck:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v23/marisakay/004.jpg

top back (where she really scratches!!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v23/marisakay/005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v23/marisakay/006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v23/marisakay/005.jpg

[elphiepup]

Do you think it's possible she could have developed a reaction to the food? I know you made the switch several weeks before she started itching, but it still could be playing some part.

[tiffers]

...have they ever done a skin scraping on her?

[ferJenna]

Like what Tiff said.. Have they done a skin scraping? It could be a type of mange or a fungus.

[Julia423]

Oh, poor doggy, and poor you...a vet definately needs to check for parasitic infestation...some can get harder to diagnose as the poor dog gets secondary infections from the itching...if it is a parasite, only a vet can test for that and the right meds are needed...let us know how she is.

[marisakay123]

ty sooooo much for the replies!!!

i TOO WAS THINKING MAYBE a type of fungus????


and you are right I do think it was originally from the household cleaners I used but now maybe turned into something worse???

when I go to vet on FRI I will def have them to a skin scrape....then will it give an obvious solution?? I am soo hoping so as dont have lots of extra $$ right now but want my baby girl feeling well again!! ty

[tiffers]

when I go to vet on FRI I will def have them to a skin scrape....then will it give an obvious solution??
...there's never a guarantee in human or animal medicine. However, a skin scraping will generally only show mites (mange). They may pluck some hairs from affected skin for fungal cultures, it just depends.

[marisakay123]

ty tiffers :) I will update :)

[Kayllisti]

Maybe you should look into organic natural cleaning fluids. I don't use any myself, but I should. The cost is a lil higher, but it won't irritate her problem and you won't have to worry about her being exposed to chemicals. Just an idea. =)
My dog had similar rash that was making her lose her hair, turns our it was demodex mange. The doctor was able to tell us after a skin scraping...took 15 min, and about 30$. The treatment took about 4 months, but it was just painless medicated baths. The mites also caused a skin infection which we had to treat with an anti-biotic for 2 weeks.
Good luck with your baby.

[Angelfire]

I have the same problem with my Husky. We had biopsy done and the results were "Zinc deficiency". So we put him on a zinc supplement along with antibiotics. He cleared up for about a week after being off the meds and was still on the zinc supplement. The zinc didn't do a thing. We had his thyroid check too and it was a bit high so he was put on thyroid meds and that didn't do a thing. So we have been struggling with his skin problem for 5 years now. I have put him on a new food called Orijen from the holistic pet store and it contains 70% fish and 30% veggies and fruit. He has been on a stronger antibiotic for the past 2 weeks which has help a bit but his skin is not totally cleared up. He was on a different antibiotic but it stopped working, that is why he was put on a stronger one. Now I have made an appointment with a holistic vet in November cause I just don't have clue anymore on what to do and neither does the vet but give more antibiotics. I know your frustration. The one thing that does help him though (from scratching) is a med called Vanectyl-P. Keep us posted on what your vet says.

[wvadoptapet]

Hi, I have 7 year old as well that has the same problem! It showed up out of nowhere. She starts losing hair around her eyes and face first, then along her sides, same irritation to the skin. I believe that's because of her scratching. She takes on an odd odor, kind of yeasty. We have taken her to the vet twice , who say it is an underlying allergy, but hard to tell what kind. They gave us a steroid, something for scratching and an anti biotic. It helps immediately, then one or 2 weeks off meds, it starts all over again. The vet said to try a medicine that will help maintain the allergy. It cost $100 for 15 days!!!!! I tried Dynovite, on it now for a month and really no results yet. There doesn't seem to be an easy answer to this and I really can't say what it is. The vet always seems to give the answer "allergies" when they really don't know. What did your vet tell you during your last trip? I need some pointers, please.

[ferJenna]

Hi, I have 7 year old as well that has the same problem! It showed up out of nowhere. She starts losing hair around her eyes and face first, then along her sides, same irritation to the skin. I believe that's because of her scratching. She takes on an odd odor, kind of yeasty. We have taken her to the vet twice , who say it is an underlying allergy, but hard to tell what kind. They gave us a steroid, something for scratching and an anti biotic. It helps immediately, then one or 2 weeks off meds, it starts all over again. The vet said to try a medicine that will help maintain the allergy. It cost $100 for 15 days!!!!! I tried Dynovite, on it now for a month and really no results yet. There doesn't seem to be an easy answer to this and I really can't say what it is. The vet always seems to give the answer "allergies" when they really don't know. What did your vet tell you during your last trip? I need some pointers, please.
If you ever have a doctors appointment and they tell you something when they are not sure, or if you are not satisfied with the diagnoses, PLEASE get a second opinion.