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Rat-Terrier.com
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justan0therjess
Newbie
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| 05/15/2008 2:32 AM |
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Okay so I mentioned on another post a while back that joleigh had a bald spot on her hiparea. I brough this up to the vet TWICE, and she did a skin scrape twice, one on her leg and one on the spot, and went through 2 medications. Now I am not trying to be ugly, but i am in college and simply cannot afford to keep doing tests w/ no results.. Anyways, i Met a girl @ joleighs puppy class @ Petsmart and she works for a vet, I asked her what it was since joleigh started losing hair on the same exact spot on her opposite side, and she said hypothyroid. Does anyone know anything about this?? I called the vet and asked if she would give me a discount since ive already spent 150 on the two skin scrapes and the medications and they didn't work... she said no. The girl I met said bloodwork would need to be done to see if she has it, and they vet wouldnt even tell me how much it would cost to do that. Im buttering up to my parents to see if they'll pay for it bc i want to help her ASAP. Is this painful for her?? anything anyone can tell me about this would be helpful... |
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tiggarat
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/15/2008 3:08 AM |
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| I don't think hypothyroidism causes pain. But the thyroid does effect everything going on in the body (dry skin/brittle nails, low energy are just 2 of the signs), and the sooner she can begin treatment, the sooner she will feel better....it can take a few months for the thyroid meds to show results, so be patient. I forget how much the blood tests cost...but the monthly meds are fairly inexpensive. |
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Lisabeth
furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie)
Buddy - gone but never forgotten.
"I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/15/2008 7:26 AM |
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| My vet quoted me $150.00 for a full panel thyroid test (in NY), which is what you would need to rule out thyroid. How old is Joleigh again? Levels can be a little skewed in a puppy because theyare growing, and honestly, it would be extremely rare for a puppy under 1 year of age to have a hypothyroid. It could happen, but the odds are low. Just out of curiosity, were any of her puppy shots adminsitered in that area? There is a type of alopecia that can occur due to trauma from vaccines and a lot of time the hair never grows back. What about allergies? Is it itchy, red or does it not bother her? I am not trying to tell you not to get the thyroid test, but I know your $ is tight and the chances of it being that are low so i just wanted to bring up other ideas. Other signs of a hpyothyroid would be cold intolerance, general loss of hair especially on tip of tail, and weight gain. You would most likely at least see something elase than one small patch of missing hair. Good luck, keep us posted! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/15/2008 7:29 AM |
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| Our greyhound girl was hypothyroid and took meds daily. She was very sleepy, had hair growth issues and all were resolved when she was properly regulated. BUT she was 4 and 75lbs when they diagnosed it. On a puppy Joleigh's size and age I'd be sure to be certain before medicating. |
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gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org |
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justan0therjess
Newbie
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| 05/15/2008 12:22 PM |
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Joleighs only 5 months old, I did some research last night and it seems unlikely that it is what is going on. Almost every website I went to also said it was rare in terrier breeds. She sleeps a fair amount, but shes a puppy and very active, not lazy. She isn't overweight (obviously) and im actually trying to get her to gain weight.
This is the side thats bad...
This is the opposite side, you can see where she's starting to lose her hair in the symmetrical spot...
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/15/2008 12:30 PM |
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| Was she given vaccines there? Hard to say what it is. You didn't say if it bothers her or not. Yes, I doubt it, at 5 months of age, that it is her thyroid. Maybe give it time if it is not bothering her. I know it is frustrating not to know what it is, I am in the same boat. Some times if you step back and give it some time you can figure it out. |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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justan0therjess
Newbie
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| 05/15/2008 1:22 PM |
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| oops sorry for not answering those questions, no it doesn't seem to bother her at all... ive never seen her even scratch at that spot. Since ive had her, none of her vaccines were given in those spots. |
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/15/2008 4:15 PM |
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| She's not licking it? Looks like the start of what they used to all a "hot spot". |
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gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org |
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justan0therjess
Newbie
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| 05/15/2008 5:48 PM |
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nope, shes not licking it, she seems to not even acknowledge that anythings wrong there...
is there any treatment for hot spots?? |
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/15/2008 5:52 PM |
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I can't say that's what it is, esp since she's not irritating it or bothered by it, but here is info I found:
Superficial pyoderma, a skin infection known to veterinarians as pyotraumatic dermatitis is known to dog owners as hot spots. Hot spots are surface skin infections caused when populations of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance. They are generally circular patches that lose hair, can be swollen, may exude a smelly pus, and can be painfully itchy, causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of self-mutilation. Untreated hot spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl or nip when touched.
These troublesome sores can seem to arise in a matter of hours with no warning, but they do tend to follow a pattern that helps in predicting their occurrence.
Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, flea infestations, irritated anal sacs, and grooming problems such as hair tangles and mats, but any dog can develop this infection. Dogs in warm, humid climates may develop hot spots when they shed their undercoats if the dead hair is trapped next to the skin, and dogs with behavior problems may mutilate themselves by licking and thus encourage an infection to become established.
The most common locations for hot spots are the legs and feet, flanks, and rump � areas that can be reached by licking or biting � but these localized infections can also appear on ears, neck, and chest if the dog is continually scratching.
Treatment
Two approaches are neccessary for dealing with hot spots: treat the sore and remove the underlying cause to prevent recurrences.
Veterinary dermatologist Lowell Ackerman recommends the following treatment in his book Skin and Haircoat Problems in Dogs:
* trim the hair around the sore to prevent further spread of the infection and expose the edges of the lesion;
* wash the area in a mild water-based astringent or antiseptic;
* be prepared to use antibiotics or cortisone if the washing does not give results.
Ackerman recommends against the use of ointments or creams because they can seal in the infection and hinder recovery. In severe cases, a veterinarian may suggest the use of an Elizabethan collar to prevent mutilation and give the spot a chance to heal.
Prevention
If the underlying cause is tangled or matted hair or trapped dead hair, put the dog on a regular grooming schedule either at home or at a grooming salon. Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, Shih-Tzus, and other breeds with long hair that tangles easily should be groomed at least twice a week so that snarls and mats do not form. Never bathe a dog with matted or tangled hair � comb the snarls out first. Clip mats if you cannot easily comb them out, and make an appointment for professional grooming every four-to-six weeks if you cannot keep the dog mat-free on your own.
If the underlying cause is allergies, begin an aggressive campaign to rid your home and yard of fleas and work with your veterinarian on a plan to reduce allergy triggers for your pet. Household dust, plant pollen, lawn chemicals, and diet can all cause allergies or can build to a crescendo of allergies if the dog's sensitivities cross a threshhold. Frequent vacuuming, supplements to keep the skin and coat healthy, air purifiers, and baths in skin-soothing herbal or medicated shampoos with aloe, oatmeal, jojoba, or eucalyptus can help. Next step is over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Atarax � with a veterinarian's approval. If these don't work, then steroids to reduce the inflammation and the immune system reaction to the allergen and perhaps antibiotics to cure the infected hot spot are the next course of treatment.
If the underlying cause seems to be behavioral � if your pet doesn't have allergies or fleas or a more serious skin condition, but is so bored, stressed, or lonely that he maims himself with constant licking or scratching, he may need more exercise, playtime, and attention. This can be the easiest or the hardest treatment to implement because there's no pill or ointment for long-term success; the requirements are time, consistency, and perhaps an investment in training books, an obedience school, a dog sitter, or an animal behaviorist. |
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gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org |
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/15/2008 5:55 PM |
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| But again, if it's not irritating her then probably not that. I'd up her oil - my sister had a kitten that was loosing hair on his armpits and seemed a bit dry coated so I had her add EFAs to his diet and the hair grew back in just fine. The oil will do no harm to your pup and may do some great good. |
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gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org |
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justan0therjess
Newbie
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| 05/15/2008 6:07 PM |
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| kay thanks! |
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saps
Newbie
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| 05/30/2008 3:09 AM |
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My little rat terrier has the same problem. He had a bald patch on the left side when he was a few months old. When I took him to the vet, they scraped him and found he had mites. They gave him some shots and some ointment. His hair grew back and everything looked good.
A few months later, he developed another bald patch on the opposite side. It doesn't seem to bother him but it's a little sad to look at. I took him to the vet again and they scraped him again. This time it wasn't mites. The vet said it wasn't heartworm or mites. So they said to take him in again to do another scraping. ?!?!? If the third scraping doesn't show anything, they said they would have to biopsy it. errr.
I'm also a student so it sucks when I have to spend $100 bucks for them to tell me it wasn't this and we need to try something else. As of right now, the bald patch is still there and it doesn't seem to bother him. I'll probably take him in again in a few months.
His patch is about the size of a quarter. He doens't lick or scratch at it.
Let me know what happens with your rattie.
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Ski
Ratastic
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| 05/30/2008 3:33 PM |
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Try putting Vicks Vaporub on it. I read on another forum that it has done wonders for bald (hot) spots. They heard about it from people that use it on horses to regrow hair on wounds. |
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/30/2008 4:22 PM |
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| And it smells so.....divine (grin). |
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gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org |
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Noodles n Me
Terrier Terror
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| 05/30/2008 4:43 PM |
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| Real weird that it is on the same spot on each side. Even weirder it does not bother her. There does not apper to be any dryness to the spot? Is there any way it is being scraped on something? Rubbed when she is sleeping or somethig? That would accout for it being in the same area on both sides. Sorry thats all the help I can be for now. |
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There is no joy greater than being owned by a Rattie!!
cat |
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Emmastaff
Ratterific
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| 06/02/2008 7:41 AM |
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| I know with greyhounds a balding behind can often signal hypothyroidism. (I think it is hypo not hyper). My standard poodle has just been tested and found to be hypothyroid. He had an unexplained seizure and that is why he was tested. The blood panel for T4 was $81 that included the heartworm test too. Not sure if your vet is around the same or not. But that may give you an idea. |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 06/02/2008 7:50 AM |
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| Just an FYI, T4 can tell you, but is not always 100 percent. If you want a true look at the thyroid you really need to run a full panel. Sorry about your poodle, I hope the treatment for thyroid helps! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
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