Dermatology Diary Part 1: Meet Simba and Asia

The First Week Report

The Dogs: both look better as the first week progresses - their skin is not nearly as red and Simba's sores have almost cleared up by the end of the first week of antibiotics. After a few days they are a bit less itchy too, especially Simba. Asia still licks her belly and hind end but doesn't chew on her paws as much. Simba has also stopped chewing his feet, and there has been a decrease in rubbing his muzzle on the carpet.

The Food Trial: so far, so good; the dogs love their new food and the kids are cooperating well to make sure no stray tidbits hit the floor. I never realized how many little treats I used to give them, although they didn't get a lot of table food. However, I used to slip them a couple of pieces of our morning cereal as I poured it, and give them bits of fruits and vegetables whenever I was chopping them, which they loved. The clearly miss this and I wonder if think I am mad at them as I no longer share any of our food with them. The only big slip up on the food trial is agility class, when Simba went off on a search for dropped treats and finds a jackpot in the grass at the end of the course. Coincidentally, I noticed he was very red when we got home from agility. The only other thing the dogs are getting is apples, as we have a crab apple tree and both dogs absolutely love apples. Trying to keep them from eating any fallen apples would be difficult, and Dr. G. told us the apples are pretty non-allergenic, so the dogs are allowed their one vice.

Medications: I haven't been using much of the topical medicine, mostly because I keep forgetting. This is odd since I remember to give the antibiotics without fail. Thankfully the dogs are reasonably good about taking their medication. I think they are a bit tired of me sticking pills on the backs of their tongues though.

The First Recheck Visit

Dogs: both definitely look better today. Dr. G is happy about that, but is concerned that they are still too itchy to be comfortable.

Modified Treatment Plan -add a combination antihistamine and low dose of corticosteroid to decrease itchiness - starting twice a day for four days and then once a day until a recheck in 2 weeks.

• add a prescription anti-inflammatory shampoo for once weekly baths.
• remember to use topical medication as needed!
• continue antibiotics
• consider switching to homemade diet as the prescription diet is prohibitively expensive for two big and hungry dogs. Dr. G feels a homemade diet is superior if I can do it. The trick is finding a protein they have not had before. She feels turkey or venison (deer, elk or moose) mixed with potato would be the best bet. The dogs have had turkey before too, so we think venison is the way to go if we can find some.
• preliminary fungal culture is negative, so we won't need anti-fungal medication (yay!)

Next week: the week 2 through 5 findings

Meet Simba and Asia - Derm Diary | Photo Gallery

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