[mab]

Alas, Jess managed to find a dead fox and had a good sniff before I caught up with her.


a week later she started scratching a bit more than normal - couldn't see any fleas but applied a cheapo flea treatment from tesco.


wait a few days - she's still scratching but still can't see any cause - admit defeat and go to vet; £57 later I've got a course of Advocate (supposed to work for mange).


It's been 4 days since I applied it and since friday Jess has developed raw patches around a couple of nipples and her elbows and today her ears are looking raw. She's starting to look mangy now.


She's not really scratching worse than when I went to the vet, but there's no improvement either - does it take a while to work?


thinking I'll try and phone the vet tomorrow anyway, but really need to work tomorrow so won't be able to take her 'til Tues anyway.


Any advice on making jess more comfortable? vet did say salt in water which I've been trying to dab onto places shes scratching, but shes a GSD and moderately fluffy - except where she's already chewed herself raw.


Any tips/ advice welcome

[doganjo]

A warm salty bath might help, and calamine lotion on the naked patches.  I don't know how quickly it's supposed to work but I'd expect to see some improvement in 4 days.  Sounds like there is if she isn't scratching so much. Hope she's really better very soon poor thing.

[mab]

Thanks Doganjo,


I was thinking dunking her in the bath might be the way to get it all over her, but my house (static caravan) is a bit chilly ATM. Come to think of it, if it were a bit warmer I could driver her to the seaside and let her 'chase the waves' (one of her favorite seaside games).


don't have any camomile ATM alas. I do have hibiscus scrub, but can't remember what it's for (google didn't help).


might see if I can get the place a bit warmer...

[Mammyshaz]

I'd keep the place cool. Warmth on itchy skin makes it worse.

Sounds like she may be starting with a skin infection secondary to scratching. I'd take her back for recheck just in case. Also ask about piriton for the itching.

[Eastling]

Poor girl she could probably do with some Aludex wash from the vets. You can give Piriton  but would just get advice re giving it over the phone from the out of hours vet service. good luck

[colliewobbles]

My boy sometimes gets sore skin and had rubbed some bits quite raw - the vet gave him some antibiotics to clear up any infection and take away the inflammation.

[mab]

well it's 12.5°C ATM so it could be a little warmer. I was just thinking she'd be a bit cold after a bath.


I'll have to see what I can get tomorrow I suppose. All I've got are tesco antihistamines for my hayfever.

[Eastling]

The Tesco tablets are probably a generic Piriton the active ingredient is Chlorphenamine 4mg

[mab]

Oh!


1 hasty search later...


Loratadine 10mg is what they say - just googling them to see if they're the same thing...


... no, alas I think piriton is the original type and this is 'non-drowsy'

[Eastling]

Give the vets a call, as they have seen her recently for this condition they may dispense some meds with out you having to take her in again. Good luck nasty thing to have.

[HelenVF]

I know this is a site selling it (so they are going to say it's wonderful) but I have heard good reports of coconut oil:

http://www.naturepacific.com/contents/en-us/d168.html

Helen

[mab]

well, I've got lots of pills from the vets now - have to see if they work.

[Eastling]

Hope she feels better soon

[SheepCrazy!]

Aloe vera's really good for bad skin it soothes and heals  I hope she gets well soon.

[mab]

Well I don't know if it's the tablets but she's a lot better today - hardly scratching at all     and she's a lot more perky (I'm guessing she's had the 1st good sleep for a couple of weeks - she was scratching day & night before).


thanks for all the good wishes everyone