Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Lucian has had this "thing" going on for over a month now. At first hubby and I thought he'd gotten into some poison and it caused a rash. We've seen batches of poison ivy along our fence row in the back where the neighbor just lets his field go wild and I've caught Lucian doing his "business" around it. Plus there was piles of poison at the campground when we went to NC a few weeks ago that he would inevitably find to sniff at.
So I've been giving Lucian 2 Benadryl in the evening plus I started him on some GNC vitamins from PetSmart for his skin and coat. The main thing in the vitamin is Omega 3 fish oil. Hubby thought the "poison" on his legs was getting better but I'm not so sure. This is what his legs still look like...
I'm not sure if it could be pimples since Lucian's not neutered and he is starting into his adolescence with coming up on 14 months old. Or does it look like something else entirely that he should see a vet for?
Any thoughts would be appreciated or am I just being the "paranoid mom"??
Sahana and her Angel Leland and her pimply Lucian too...
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Dogs can transfer poison ivy to us but in general they do not get a rash from it. Is it red? It looks like it could be a staph infection which is often secondary to something else like allergies. Is he itchy?
Dobies are very prone to hypothyroidism but 14 months is pretty young to start showing symptoms. You can use the fish oil and he would need 1000 mgs of omega 3 twice daily. An antibacterial shampoo such as chlorhexidene can also be beneficial.
Pam
tazziedog said
Dogs can transfer poison ivy to us but in general they do not get a rash from it. Is it red? It looks like it could be a staph infection which is often secondary to something else like allergies. Is he itchy?Dobies are very prone to hypothyroidism but 14 months is pretty young to start showing symptoms. You can use the fish oil and he would need 1000 mgs of omega 3 twice daily. An antibacterial shampoo such as chlorhexidene can also be beneficial.
Pam
Yes, he has been itchy. I've been using the Burts Bees wax Anti itch shampoo and Oatmeal conditioner since this started. He still itches a lot at his neck, armpits, legs, and feet. I can't say that it looks red..it looks more white and scabby.
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I don't know what that is but poor Lucian.... ((((HUGS)))).... Jasper gets the itchies too but her itchies are related to her allergies to 'life' in LA! But no bumps here.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
So, I decided to go ahead and make an apt with the vet to look at Lucian...he'll go Friday morning. I know hubby is thinking I'm being ridiculous for making an apt. He still believes he's looking better...I think his eyes need checked...
If it was a simple case of a poison ivy rash I think it should have cleared up by now...it's been like this for like a month and a half. If Dr. Wilt can give Lucian something to clear up these bumps, scabs, and scales why keep letting our baby's legs look like this. I guess Lucian is going to be our fur kid with skin allergy issues where our Leland had food sensitivities. I'll get this itchy bumpy issue figured out...
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Please let us know what your vet says. If he is itchy then I would be looking at pollen/environmental allergies and your vet may suggest an antihistamine such as Claritin (loratadine). Some dogs need something stronger and he will also get you an antibiotic if needed.
Pam
So it looks like Lucian is dealing with a skin allergy. Dr. Wilt chuckled when I told him that hubby is standing by it being a rash from poison ivy. The "rash" is pustules...
Poor Lucian even has it going on between his toes and Dr. Wilt wants me to give him lukewarm foot bathes in soapy water...
Not sure how well that's going to go over with my big boy...he may just get his toes cleaned with a soapy washcloth versus a relaxing soak...lol. Dr. Wilt gave Lucian a Kenalog injection and Cephalexin for 7 days to clear up his skin and help with the itchiness.
I asked Dr. Wilt about continuing with the Benadryl...he advised that once it got to this point the Benadryl isn't really doing much. Lucian is probably going to be one of those pups who'll need to get a Kenalog injection every so often throughout the allergy season. However, I think I'll keep up with the 2 Benadryl in the evening and his skin and coat vitamins...they can't hurt the way I see it.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Glad you figured out what it was. Bosch gets blisters (allergy related) between his toes. It sucks. I have actually taken to using gentle baby wipes every morning & night to get all the pollen off when he comes in from going outside. Plus continued his benadryl also. We haven't gotten them yet this year.
I sure hope this clears up poor Lucian. Did he say what it was caused from or was it just the allergic reaction to the poision ivy that continued on?
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Ahhh....soaking Lucian's feet? Yeah, good luck with that!
Hope the injections work!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Benadryl won't hurt but in my experience it isn't too helpful for larger breeds. You can use Claritin (generic is okay) 1 tablet twice daily instead. I also give Julian fish oil for his allergies although ultimately I did allergy test him and he gets an allergy vaccine. Right now he is on 1 injection every 2 weeks but in the winter he only needs it every 3 weeks.
Frequent shampoos also help keep the pollen from irritating him and chlorhexidene is effective if the dog tends to get a rash.
Kenalog/Vetalog is a steroid so occasional use is okay although the new drug Apoquel is much safer (although hard to get).
Pam
tazziedog said
Frequent shampoos also help keep the pollen from irritating him and chlorhexidene is effective if the dog tends to get a rash.
Kenalog/Vetalog is a steroid so occasional use is okay although the new drug Apoquel is much safer (although hard to get).
Pam
We got Apoquel for Jasper's itchies ... no visible bumps but you know she nips at her feet and scratches so was diagnosed with 'seasonal' allergies and we live in LA so we basically have one season - summer! Anyways ... it's pricey (very pricey) so I gave it to her for 2 weeks and then we switched to temaril allergy pills daily but honestly it really doesn't fix the situation. It reduces the itchies. We are also supposed to have a bath every 2 weeks with special shampoo but since I can't easily bathe JL in my apt, I have to take her and she's past due.
I haven't tried the fish pills yet though. Or wiping her paws (good idea Michelle) so I might do that since her itching is usually on her feet. Sigh.. our poor babies....
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi ! sorry to hear about Lucien's allergy. Make sure it is not a food allergy. Johnnie is lactose-intolerant, and his lactose intolerancy results in skin eczemas. We discovered it by chance, when he had to take some antibiotic and the vet recommended that we give him yoghurt and use cream cheese to give him the medication. We had been struggling with the eczemas for over a year.
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Since being on the Cephalexin Lucian's legs are looking sooooo much better!!!
I never thought about lactose intolerance in a dog and that it could cause skin issues. I just assumed that food sensitivities would show up in bowel issues like with our Leland (constant diarrhea). I know it's been mentioned about doing allergy testing...is that a specialty like orthopedics, oncologists, etc. Or is it something that can be performed by a regular vet? Just curious in the event I have to look into something more for Lucian.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Oh and Sally...Lucian has had a few foot bathes and he seems to be getting used to it. It is a 2 person job so I have to enlist hubby's help...
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
At our clinic we run a blood allergy test by the VARL company. It tests for environmental allergens such as trees, grass, weeds, house dust, etc. Client cost is $295. Do not let anyone talk you into a blood test for food allergies because they are not accurate! The only way to determine food allergens is an elimination diet trial for 4-10 weeks. This involves feeding one protein and one carb (eg: venison and potato). Note that grain- free is not necessarily low allergen or limited ingredient. You can also feed a hydrolyzed protein diet such as Royal Canin HP as a test diet.
Food allergy is actually far less common than environmental allergies. Some general vets might not feel comfortable interpreting pollen allergy tests or treating with a vaccine and might refer to a dermatologist for blood or skin allergy testing. The best candidates for allergy testing and vaccines are younger dogs (less than 5 years old) with steroid-responsive allergies. You do not need the blood test to diagnose environmental allergies, you just need it to identify which allergens are causing the problem so a vaccine can be made for your dog.
Pam
Glad Lucian is responding to the Cepha. 
WOW! Interesting! Informative as always.
We are sooooo lucky to be able to utilize Dr. Pam' knowledge. Thank you for your graciousness. And TAZZIE, thank you for sending her to us!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
1 Guest(s)
