Extreme Face Scratching - 30 Days on Atopica and No Relief

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Siron

Got the results back from the vet today. For the most part everything looks good and normal. The urine test was good - concentrated and no indication of any kidney issues. The blood work was also all spot on with the exception of the new SDMA (kidney disease) test. Rocky's number was 15 which should be at 14 - so one point high. They said it really was nothing to be concerned with at this point as he is still a young dog and the urine test was good.

Tomorrow I have a one hour long consult with a new vet that specializes in skin conditions - not a vet derm, but the next best thing I have locally. Depending on how tomorrow turns out, I will most likely be taking an 8 hour drive down into Montana to a vet derm and hoping to get my hands on some Apoquel. The journey continues...

I so hope it goes well.

Now, if you *do* decide to go to Montana, call that vet first and make sure you they have Apoquel in stock. It's such a miracle drug here in the US for dogs that it has been out of stock for over 1.5 years at most vets here in the US. Some are just starting to get it in stock now.

[Siron]

Well we had our consult with the skin specialist last week and went over all of the history of the scratching condition. The vet took some skin samples and also hair samples to be sent out and cultured for 30 days to test for yeast as she isn't convinced that isn't the cause. Also did a treatment of prevention (flea, tick, etc) since he has never been treated for that.

Over the weekend I've noticed that the sensitive areas around his lower chin are as a result of small lesions that appear to have crusted over. It looks like these little lesions have spread to both sides of face right along the edge of the lips. They are very painful and itchy for him and seem to be the source of whatever is driving him mad with his scratching. The little lesions crust over and almost appear to have a cauliflower texture to them. There was also a couple around his nose area as well - I tried to get a photo of it, but it proves challenging. These symptoms are definitely new and seeming to spread on his lips on the sides of his mouth so I am taking another trip back to the vet in the next few days.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Siron

Well we had our consult with the skin specialist last week and went over all of the history of the scratching condition. The vet took some skin samples and also hair samples to be sent out and cultured for 30 days to test for yeast as she isn't convinced that isn't the cause. Also did a treatment of prevention (flea, tick, etc) since he has never been treated for that.

Over the weekend I've noticed that the sensitive areas around his lower chin are as a result of small lesions that appear to have crusted over. It looks like these little lesions have spread to both sides of face right along the edge of the lips. They are very painful and itchy for him and seem to be the source of whatever is driving him mad with his scratching. The little lesions crust over and almost appear to have a cauliflower texture to them. There was also a couple around his nose area as well - I tried to get a photo of it, but it proves challenging. These symptoms are definitely new and seeming to spread on his lips on the sides of his mouth so I am taking another trip back to the vet in the next few days.

I would google and read about Puppy Strangles....juuuuust in case it could be this; it's most definitely rare, but when it happens - it really causes problems. It can recur as well.

That area on his muzzle should most def be cultured.

[Siron]

After trying everything available to me and all the medications prescribed...spending almost two thousand dollars on vet bills and literally seeing absolutely zero improvement over four months time I have decided as of Monday this week to go cold turkey and stop administering all medications and go the raw diet route.

We are on day four of using NRG 'The Raw One' Dehydrated Range Fed Buffalo with Market Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. I am feeding a half cup of food mixed with 3/8 cup water and divided in two servings - one at 10am and one at 5pm. First impression on this food is Rocky loves it! In fact, he loves it so much that I have never seen him devour his food like he is now. He is literally begging to eat and would eat as much as presented in front of him! After day 3 there is a very noticeable improvement in his extreme sensitivity to his muzzle and his itching fits. His muzzle no longer looks inflamed and red, and his lower jaw doesn't hurt him when touched. His coat is already starting to be less greasy and the metallic smell from his breath is completely gone. I am still leaving his cone on when unattended because he will still lick and chew on his paws but am giving him breaks of 10 to 15 minutes with supervision and he seems to not be going directly after himself like he was previously.

I know it is still very early on with this food trial, but the near immediate response to getting him off of the IAMS Veterinary Kangaroo, Atopica, and other meds seems too much to be coincidence. Fingers crossed that his improvement continues.

[sandy simpson]

So happy rocky is improving. Where did you get this food. Perhaps we should try it. So great if rocky is off all meds. Bless you for such great care for precious rocky

[dottiesyrky]

Good to hear that he is showing some improvement now with the diet change. Hoping it is the answer and the poor baby gets relief at last.
I looked up Puppy Strangles that Ann suggested , and I must agree it could be that??
Sometimes it is good to stop all meds and start from the beginning!
I know my dog had severe Blepharitis, around the eye lid infection, and the eye vet specialist tried everything and many meds with no success. The vet thought it may be an allergy and stopped all meds and treatment. Instead she suggested flushing the eyes daily, with particular attention to underneath the lower eyelid ( where allergens accumulate), with sterile eye saline solution. Sure enough, in time the disease cleared up and he is fine now.
So perhaps the food is the answer in your case?
Please let us know how your dog is doing on the new regimen.

[LoveMyBeowulf]

uughh poor baby I feel so bad for him. I hope you find out what it is soon. He is such an adorable puppy. Please keep us updated on his recovery. Wish you both the best!

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Siron

After trying everything available to me and all the medications prescribed...spending almost two thousand dollars on vet bills and literally seeing absolutely zero improvement over four months time I have decided as of Monday this week to go cold turkey and stop administering all medications and go the raw diet route.

We are on day four of using NRG 'The Raw One' Dehydrated Range Fed Buffalo with Market Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. I am feeding a half cup of food mixed with 3/8 cup water and divided in two servings - one at 10am and one at 5pm. First impression on this food is Rocky loves it! In fact, he loves it so much that I have never seen him devour his food like he is now. He is literally begging to eat and would eat as much as presented in front of him! After day 3 there is a very noticeable improvement in his extreme sensitivity to his muzzle and his itching fits. His muzzle no longer looks inflamed and red, and his lower jaw doesn't hurt him when touched. His coat is already starting to be less greasy and the metallic smell from his breath is completely gone. I am still leaving his cone on when unattended because he will still lick and chew on his paws but am giving him breaks of 10 to 15 minutes with supervision and he seems to not be going directly after himself like he was previously.

I know it is still very early on with this food trial, but the near immediate response to getting him off of the IAMS Veterinary Kangaroo, Atopica, and other meds seems too much to be coincidence. Fingers crossed that his improvement continues.

Great news I hope the improvement continues. I am going to look into the food for Buster aw well.

[sandy simpson]

I took dee dee back to the vet with itchy skin. Vet did a skin scrape. No fleas mange or mites it's allergy. He ordered apoquel and that drug has really helped her stop scratching.