Vet appointment

[buddylover]

Buddy's got a vet appointment at 4:10 today.  I'm out sick today so I'm going to drag my butt over there for Buddy.  What started with three spots is now seven.  They are still really small and you can't see them unless you're searching for them.
Does anyone know if they can't determine if it's a staph infection without doing a skin scraping?  This vet likes to do anything I'll let him and I'm always mad at myself afterwords for spending the money on tests that I find out later weren't necessary.

[Lord Goliath]

They can do a culture to test for staph, but i think in most cases the vet can diagnose based on history and appearance and location of the lesions.  For Goliath, the vet just lets me do it now...i just call in and let them know he has Staph lesions and they fill the prescription.

I would think that with Buddy's history of allergy that the culture wouldn't be necessary. 

[buddylover]

Thanks James   I'm very interested in hearing what they have to say about this and also what it is, if it is staph which is what it apears to be.

[buddylover]

It's staph like you all said.  We got more antibiotics.  Our vet said that it's ok for him to be on them again as long as they're working and if they don't we can switch to a different kind.
Apparently the spots are called moth bites or something.  It's where the coat looks spotted.
We also got some Virbac, ResiCHLOR leave in conditioner and we will be starting on the fatty acids.  Apparently fall allergies started early this year because of the cold end of summer so it looks like Bud has fall allergies too.
He was happy to see all his favorite vet techs so it was fun.  These people have known him since the 2nd day we brought him home.

OH YEAH!  His ears actually looked great!!!  That's a first.  The Epi Otic is working well.

[brumzoo]

I'm glad to hear about Buddy's ears! 
I wonder what it is that Goliath, Buddy, and Lumpy have had Staph infections recently?  I have been considering starting the babies on fatty acids, also. They really work. It would just be so expensive for me.

[buddylover]

Do you guys know about how long it will take for these spots to heal and grow hair again.  Buddy's been on 1500mg of cephalexin a day for five days and I haven't seen any improvement.  I haven't seen it get worse or anything but I'm wondering if it's working.  Should I be putting anything else on those crusty spots?

[Lord Goliath]

If he is on the fatty acids the hair comes back really fast -- within a week almost -- not full grown hair but covering the skin.  If not it may take up to two weeks.  You can probably help the skin out by cleaning the sores with apple cider vinegar.

It may just take a while to heal depending on how damaged the skin was.  We use an antibacterial shampoo we got from the vet call Pyoben that we use during these times too that helps.

[buddylover]

If he is on the fatty acids the hair comes back really fast -- within a week almost -- not full grown hair but covering the skin.  If not it may take up to two weeks.  You can probably help the skin out by cleaning the sores with apple cider vinegar.

It may just take a while to heal depending on how damaged the skin was.  We use an antibacterial shampoo we got from the vet call Pyoben that we use during these times too that helps.

Oh I see.  I need to order the fatty acid today then.  Or maybe I will see if the vet has any.  We did get some leave on conditioner that we're supposed to be using.  I guess we have to get him wet and rub this stuff all over him.  It's another Virbac product.  I think I should buy stock in that company.  I love their stuff.
I didn't know you used the pyoben shampoo!  I don't know if you remember how bad Buddy's acne was but we started using the pyoben gel and he cleared up in a week!  We still have to use it everyday on his face to keep it from coming back.
Thanks James for all of your knowledge.  You have been so helpful!

[Lord Goliath]

You're welcome.  The pyoben stuff is good and since acne is also due to bacteria it should work well on his staph spots.

[buddylover]

I'll have to try that.  It's very expensive stuff.  We pay $17 for a little tube of it but hey if it works I'm all for it.

[doloskeeter]

Hope I'm not butting in, but Abbey has had this before.  Do an internet search on it.  It's where the coat looks like it's been eaten by moths.  Abbey has had it twice, now on her third time.  I did read where the best management of this is to keep them on medication for six weeks.  It's a bacterial infection of the hair follicle. 

[buddylover]

Thanks!  Don't ever feel like your butting in.  All suggestions and advice is appreciated!
I will look on the intranet.  I have enough antibiotics for 5 weeks.  Our vet said that once the spots are cleared up he still needs to be on antibiotics for a full week after to make sure all of the infection is gone.  I can get a refill if need be.
TYhanks again for the info!

[buddylover]

Did you ever find a way of getting rid of this faster and getting their coat to look normal again?

[doloskeeter]

I'm not sure you can get rid of it faster.  It's a bacterial infection of the hair follicle.  I think the reason why they need to be on medication so llong is that when a new hair grows in -- it may push a little bit of bacteria that wasn't killed back out. 

I've read where this is definitely a bulldog-thing.  Abbey is on her third bout of it.  This time it's on both sides of her neck and it does look like a moth has gotten a hold of her.

[Lord Goliath]

I just couldn't resist adding this but when Goliath's hair starts growing back in, his fur still looks a little dented.  We call it his "hail damage".