is that an allergy?

[Marzu]

My Fergus have been losing hair around his eyes and some in his nose. he dosen't have sore or red eyes. hes got a little red spot in his right leg where an ant (an arriera -in spanish- that kind that take all leaves from trees) bite him long ago and it dosent desapear. I've seen him scratching his nose quite few times, and i usually see him bite his leg where the spot is.but he seems feel ok.

I'm really worry, i will take him to vet tomorrow, but i wanted to know more about it. I've search on the net and I'm confuse because it says it can be low thyroid too.

plus yesterday I've took him to his first obedience class, and trainer also noticed that so that why i decided to ask in this forum if this is an allergy or it could be something else.

I will appreciate any information ppl here can give me. because i would like to be prepare and know more when i'll go to vet tomorrow

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Hi there, Toffee has allergies and we are in the process of trying to figure out what to..
But at the Vet's they DID say that most Allergies show on the nose and eye area, but Toffee has his localized just on his hind paws...
You may want to get that checked out ASAP to be sure, maybe try a diet prescription food right away to see whether he developed a food allergy...

Good luck!! Keep us updated

 

[Ann]

It does sound like an allergy and as Toffee's mom said, could be food related. Your vet will be able to give you a better idea. If it is an allergic reaction, they will probably treat your pup with some prednisone first and work to isolate the cause.

I'm glad you are taking Fergus to the vet. Good luck and please let us know what you find out!

 

[Marzu]

Thank u veru much for ur concern

Thank u for reply me and for being worry for my fergus.

I took him to vet and her diagnostic was DEMODEX, that is caused by Mites, she told me most dogs have that. My Fergus had an upset tummy about 15 days ago and his system could be a bit low and made the mites activate in that way.

She told me if it was the thyroid his tummy will be black, and he shows a good skin colour and the rest of his fur is shine and strong. Also said that what he’s got in his leg it’s related with the same.

She sent him a treatment that includes this medicines: (the names are in Spanish)

1. Endectocida system: A pill per week, she sent total 4
2. Cutis L.H.A: drop 12 drops 3 times per day
3. Vintox L.H.A.: drops 15 drops every 12 hours
4. An olive oil spoon everyday

And we’ll come back in 15 days to see how all goes or before if anything else happens of course. Also send me to clean all with hot water to kill mates even mop the floor of home with it also clean his crate, etc, etc.

I hope doctors can find what Toffee is allergic, and he will be cure soon. In deed he`s got a lovely name and right for his colour.
Thank u Ann also for ur concern, and I will post again to see how all develops with this treatment

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Awww your poor little dog!
Good luck and I am sure he will be fine again, soon! I am so glad you went to the Vet this fast and now you can get him all better!

Indeed, it looks like Toffee might be allergic to fleas! Even just one or two adult fleas dragged in by the cats can cause the problem, we think. Even tho all animals are treated monthly with medication, I have now switched all to Revolution AND Sentinel plus Revolution for Toffee, as it kills adult fleas as well. Wish me luck, lol

 

[Smudge]

Please, please be sure that your vet knows not to give your sheltie ivermectin or high doses of certain heartworm medicines to treat the demodex unless your sheltie has tested negative for the MDR1 gene.

Info about the MDR1 gene and how you can get a test kit:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/test.aspx

Also, maybe I missed it somewhere, but how old is your sheltie? My sheltie Smudge was diagnosed with demodex when he was about 5 months old. It took six months before all signs of the demodex were completely gone.

I made a page a while back for Smudge to show pictures of his demodex and his MDR1 test results. There is also a "photo book" on the site that has more pictures of his mange. I made the page in hopes that it could somehow help somebody whose sheltie had demodex mange, because there doesn't seem to be any pictures online of shelties with demodex.

http://twosheltiesandafatchick.shutterfly.com/simplysmudge

I opted for mange dips with a medicine called Mitaban.

 

[Marzu]

Thank u Smudge, very useful website

Thank u very much Smudge for ur concern and u have an excellent website with lot of information about DEMODEX very useful pics that can show in different stages of it, And of course information about shelties. I’ve seen it and I liked a lot and also learn a lot too. My Fergus has 6 months (nearly 7, next 22th)

My vet had treated shelties before; even that my city has just few and she has very clear that ivermectin can’t be used with shelties. I also called Fergus breeder in Bogotá and i asked him about the medicine and he told me he had used those medicines before. He was agree with vet decision and also explain me that the endectocida (in Spanish) system it’s an antibiotics n of course something to kill the mites plus the doses prescribed to Fergus are very low. And the Cutis L.H.A and Vintox L.H.A. are homeopathic medicines so I’m giving him something more natural and not harmful.

The Demodex that appear in Fergus its not so sever (i think is the right word) than the pics in ur site. There are few pics on the net that vet showed me from few sites too. In Fergus appears just as he had lose his fur around his eyes and it can be seen his grey skin.

I started to give him the medicines today so we’ll see how all goes. I’ll write here his development because I know this will help other Dogs with same problem.