Does anyone have a really good vet recommendation? I swear, my dog has mange. I have been to three vets (Cary & Raleigh) and all three told me it was one of the following: 1.) He is allergic to his shampoo. (even though they prescribed it to me) 2.) He is allergic to protein (switched to prescription vegetarian food, nothing changed) 3.) He is just an itchy dog (no...really???) Blood test after expensive blood test, nothing is coming up. Of course, if anyone sees him that is not a vet but has had a dog with mange, that is what they say it is too! Ugh. So frustrated... Anyone? Advice? I'm about to lose my mind...
Not sure if he's still practicing, but I have taken my dogs to Dr. Cotton on hwy 401 (between Garner and Fuquay Varina), he was your old country type doc. in Garner and I was pleased, he's been there at least 30 yrs. Could your dog have severe allergies? Has he/she been around any other dogs outside your home? Hope you get some real help soon, good luck and keep us posted.
We had trouble with our Sheltie years ago back in TN. She had some horrible looking places come up on her skin...........after many vet trips, special food, special shampoo and LOTS of $$$$$$, I finally took her to another vet, because the original one could offer me no other options other than putting her to sleep. She was still a young dog at the time. The second vet took one look at her, said he felt sure he knew what was wrong, but did a skin scraping to verify. The dog had a staph infection. :roll: A course of antibiotics, iodine shampoo and she was cured in a week. We had fought it for months! I was plenty PO'd at the first vet, let me tell you. :evil:
He is about 7 years old. He came from an abusive home where he was tied up to a tree, not able to lay down and had to sit in his own poo for hours on end. We rescued him when he was about 3. The scratching started about a year ago. Off and on at several vets, skin tests, etc. Was pretty much dismissed as allergies but everything we've tried, nothing worked. They also said it was not mange but its under his neck and on the inside of his legs. He is not doing too bad right now, clearing up a bit but I really dont want him to go through it again. We need to find a very loving vet, he does everything he can to get back into the car as soon as we get there. He really hates shots. I know vet assistants take blood work a million times a day but it really scares him. Someone who can make him feel like its not a bad thing.
If you don't mind the drive, I use Gentle Care in Cary, my dog loves them and one of my co-workers uses them as well, they saved her dog's life twice with their quick response/diagnosis. Very loving and caring people with animals. I have a cocker with allergies, using the Omega-3 caps have kept her skin in top condition as well as regular shampoos etc. Keep us posted.
My "pound dog" was diagnosed with mange when we got her. I can't begin to spell the exact thing she had but was told it was a type of mange that was not contagious to my other one. The treatment was pricey, but it worked. If she would have been larger (she was a 10 lb puppy), it would have been even worse! She was diagnosed and treated at Clayton Animal Hospital.
I had a neighbor who's little puppy had the same thing. I kept noticing that his hair was getting thinner and thinner everytime we saw him on the weekends and brought it to her attention, she took him to her vet. and the diagnosis was a type of mange, vet said that the whole litter probable got from the mom due to low immune system, this was not the contagious type and with treatment he was cured. Never noticed him itching or biting at himself though, just thinning hair, almost bald look to him and very dry skin.
Yeah...our vet said every dog has this type of parasite, but Lisa's immune system allowed it to "get in".
We have an itchy dog too. We have tried tons of things & nothing so far has been "it". Allergy meds help but he is still an itch-hound. He enjoys swimming & that has been the only FREE thing that helps. My DM thinks he is allergic to our carpet.
My cocker has allergies but only during the months July-Sept. and only those months, so I'm thinking she's allergic to the grass, that's the time they polinate, we don't have carpet in the area of the house she lives. She's okay Nov.-June. My vet would like to try something that is relatively new on the market that's not a steroid, can't remember it's name but starts with an A, they've had great sucess with it, downfall is the expense, start up cost will be $180 after we reach a maintenance level in her system it will be about $7 dollars a week. Since we are basically reaching the end of the grass season and her itching is controlled by benydryl and shampoos, I told them we'd try it next March, give it three months to reach her maintenance level and see what happens. If you'd like, I'll keep everyone posted.
I know this will sound weird but motor oil and sulfer mixed together and applied to the affected areas works.
After trying several local vets and one in Cary over the years, we have stuck with Old Stage for many years now . They have treated heartworms for my dog and treated our cat when he was run over by a truck. Otherwise it has been simple routine visits. I highly reccommend Stage Road Animal Hospital. 7580 Old Stage Rd North in Angier. 639-3337. Very reasonably priced and in my experience excellent animal care. It's a bit of a ride but well worth it! (about 15 minutes from the 40/42 area.) Good luck with your dog!!
I would highly recommend Old Stage Animal Hospital in Angier. The cost is very reasonable and the care is awesome! They are closed for the holidays, but could work you in if needed. I won't mention any names, but you need to be quite careful of underpriced quackery that masquerades as vet care. Just keep in mind... if the cost is too low you get what you pay for!
I have to ditto Sarah Lash. My Lab doesn't like new places or car rides. She is stricly mobile and does everything right in your living room. She really does care about the animal and showes them alot of affection. Plus she can see their living environment and make a better diagnosis.
