Hello,

Ally, my 7-year-old GSP, has developed some sort of skin disorder [see pictures below].  I first noticed it a few weeks ago.  It started with just a few little spots about the size of the eraser on pencil where her hair had fallen out.  But now it is looking worse.  I took her into the vet who thought it was probably some sort of fungal infection.  The vet is doing a culture test and I should hear something back tomorrow.   I have been treating her with an anti-fungal/anti-bacterial shampoo, first bathing her every other day, and then down to two baths a week.   The rest of her coat looks good.  However, these spots have grown or at least the hair has thinned in the area.  She has not been scratching much, a little recently, but I think that is probably due to dry skin from all the baths.  The skin under the patch is now a little flaky also.  When the vet mentioned fungal infection, I read everything I could online.  She now has new dog pillows, new carpet in her crate, and all of her blankets have been washed at least a couple of times.  I also have been vacuuming very regularly. 

Has anyone else ever experienced this or have any suggestions??

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

AllysOwner

Ally Update...

Well, we went to the vet yesterday afternoon.  Results of the culture they collected from the last time were negative for any ringworm or fungal infection.  They also did a skin scraping yesterday and it was negative for demodex (mange).  So then they drew blood and are going to test for hypothyroidism.  Has anyone else had a dog with this?  The vet said some dogs develop it at age 6-7.  Ally does not have all the symptoms but he thought it might be in an early stage and if nothing else we could rule it out.  I will not hear back about that for two weeks.  The vet went ahead and prescribed some antibiotics (Cephalexin).  He also suggested I change her heartworm medication from Interceptor, and her flea/tic treatment from Frontline Plus all to Advantage.  The vet said Advantage works for heartworm, other worms, as well as takes care of fleas plus would kill any skin mites.  I also asked about supplements or vitamins for skin and coat.  He suggested a combination of fish oil and 100% sunflower oil on her food daily.  So now it is a waiting game.  Thanks for all the comments and information.  I will update you again as I find out more.

Everyone take care and Happy New Year!!!

AllysOwner

 Jackson had two spots like this on his back around 4-5 months old which were scraped and tested positive for mites.  His hair is finally growing back after a month or so of treatment.  I wish you luck with determining what is causing his condition.

We have a GSP who is about to turn two and currently has a skin infection that looks very similar to your photo.  She has now lost all the hair in about a two inch space on her back.  The vet said it was a staph infection and she was put on antibiotics but they have not worked.  She is going back to the vet this Saturday so we shall see.

Hey StinkerBelle,

Thanks for your response.  I was just curious to know what antibiotics your vet prescribed?  Ally is on Cephalexin (500 mg) twice daily.  And, as I said in the post, I am also adding sunflower oil and fish oil to her food.  I would be very interested in hearing back from you after your visit to the vet on Saturday.

Thanks again and Good Luck!!

AllysOwner

Just got home from the vet.  Belle (my GSP) was prescribed to Cephalexin twice a day by our vet in Atlanta who said she had a staph infection.  I took her to our vet in Birmingham today (we just recently moved to Atlanta) and he looked at her back where there is hair loss and immediately said that it was definitely not a staph infection.  He took a scraping of her skin and she has a case of mange... yikes.  He said that Cephalexin wasn't doing anything to help her condition so she is now on some ointment I have to run into her skin once a day.

Does anyone have experience with mange?  I don't believe her case is serious but I'm trying to find out anything I can...

Jackson had mites (mange) a few months ago... He had two small patches on his back.  I had to spray him with a mitoban on his  infected patches..  His hair is almost all grown back and it seemed to work well and fairly quickly.   It does take awhile for the hair to grow back. 

Lacey and I battled mange when she was a puppy, it put up a good fight too. Moved all around her head and she lost a bit of hair that I was worried she wouldnt recover. But she did. Just be sure to use all the cream consistently.

Hi Ally's Owner!
I have 4 GSPs and at one time or another we have come across skin issues. Oil in diet is definately a good start. Another thing that my vet prescribed is a spray on solution called Permectrin2 It can be mixed with water or mineral oil and is grreat for penetration. The great thing is you only spray the area 1x every 2 weeks until gone.  It has a variety of uses including Fleas, mange, and flaky/irritated skin.It is non toxic and can be used on all kinds of animals from pets to livestock, in fact, we use it on our Alpacas when they get funky skin. Permectrin2 also promotes hair regrowth. You can ask your vet for some or you can order it online at valleyvet.com. Good luck!

Jackson had Demodex mange....he was stung by a swarm of angry bees when he was only 10 weeks old and my vet has a feeling that may have led to immnue system being compromised  causing the two small bald spots on his back.   I talked to my vet at length about mange as I was very concerned about him having it since I did  a lot of research before buying him.  My vet said all dogs live with these mites day in and day out, but a compromised immune system or an older dog who is malnourished or ill can get an overgrowth of the mites.  In puppies that get them as Jackson did they usually will outgrow the situation, but our vet still wanted us to treat it just to prevent any spreading.  Puppies can also get mange if they have been weaned improperly or taken from the mother too young.  SOmetimes with an energetic wandering breed like GSPs who get into everything (like a swarm of bees)...  they can compromise an immune system that is having a hard a time keeping up with their rapidly growing bodies.   

I hope this helps a little bit!!  As long as you use the treatment your vet gave you religiously you should see results quickly

I am glad my info was helpful!  I was worried Jackson may have had an allergy too when i first brough him into the vet with the bald spots!  They can find the mites by doing a scraping and looking under a scope.  They even showed them to me when I was aty the vet.... kindo nasty looking little critters.