skin disorder need help

[jross_jackson]

my nicki is now losing patches of hair on his hind quarter its so bad that when you toch his hair it comes out in patches. he now has a bald spot that is 3" in diameter and i just notice his belly is doing the same thing. he is 12 years and now deaf as well. he still is very lively with no problems eating or playing, he runs with the best of them but this skin disorder is very concerning. i looked up the issue and it said that its not mange but is hereditary and that there no cure for the it. it did say that it could clear its self up but will never go away. I need help in understanding what to do for him. he also has what i think it is a large boil on his left hip that when cleaned up pours out this white for lack of a better description "cream of Wheat" texture and it never closes completely up but just scabs over until breaks open. I have had shelties in the past none of which had these kind of problems , so if anyone could shed some light on this matter I am all ears.

[BarbV]

See my post on Bacca's skin funk.

Given what you describe it sounds very similar. We believe his was aggravated by his hypothyroidism. Ver common in Shelties particularly older dogs.

I would recommend a vet visit. Bacca's just came off a round of antibiotics and medicated shampoo. It's not cured but better.

It might also be a staph infection but let your vet make the call. I don't you can treat this yourself.

Best of luck!

[Shelby's mom]

The white boil might be a sebacous cyst. Some dogs are more prone to these. It is nothing serious but can become infected. Hollie used to get these. Had some removed. One in particular was like what you described. It would never heal completely. If left alone it would get pretty big and uncomfortable for her. Our vet told us as long as it wasn't infected and as long as she let us drain it (pretty gross like squeezing a big zit) it wasn't worth the risk of operating. She was very good at letting us drain it when it would get big, and I am sure it wasn't comfortable for her. I would then clean it real good with peroxide and repeat when necessary. You will know right away if it is infected. If there is a foul smell, change in color or conistency of the drainage. If so then antibiotics are needed.

Your vet will be able to advise you best.