red rash

[Jordan]

Just noticed Domino has a red rash in one of his ears. Hes not been scratching that I'i'm aware of so I dont think its itchy. No head shaking either.  Theres no smell or anything to indicate mites. Any ideas what it might be. He actually didn't seem too well today, sleeping a lot, could there be a connection?

[Adrianne]

stinging nettles? the new growth of nettles in our fields are particularly nasty just now?
I always ask ..is it physical, environmental or emotional
I think emotional is ruled out as just one ear is affected.
physical would be first option esp with him sleeping extra, which would indicate that he is upset... a food reaction/allergy? reaction to medication? possible yeast infection?
environmental would be something that he has brushed against with that ear, such as a nettle..washing powder on a cushion/pillow...possibly an allergy

I would use a mild ear wash twice a day and dust with thornit powders..if it hasn't calmed down maybe some antibiotic cream...or antibiotics from the vet.

[Jordan]

Dont know about the nettles but its the ear that he managed to get about a dozen big burrs caught up in a couple days ago!

We've just started on a different food this past week, hes back on the Brain Diet to see if it helps with the seizures alongside the meds, but hes had it before and I never noticed a rash. Dont think anything else has changed.

He sometimes has days were hes sleepy after having seizures all night.

I put some Thornit powder on last night and it doesn't look so red today, hes still not scratching at it whatever the cause.


Can Thornit powder be used around the eye area or is it soley for ears?

[Adrianne]

I use it all over, paws toes, bottom, anywhere there may be some moisture...the mites that it kills are barely visable under a microscope, and they are killed by thornit long before there is a smell which would indicate a mite issue,
I crush it finer than talc and dust my hands and then apply to areas either from my hands or using a cotton wool pad.

[Jordan]

So if it was used right round the eye it would be safe? Bailey has had a problem for months now round his eyes.....itchy and hair loss etc. Vet treated for mange, didnt help, tried antibiotics, no good , tried fungal treatment still not cleared. His eyes get a bit gungy too. So I wondered if Thornit powder was worth trying but with it being in such a delicate area i wasnt sure about suggesting it.......dont want him going blind or anything!!!!

[Adrianne]

be very careful around the eye ..and it may be hard stopping him from rubbing the eyes with his paws which could get it in the eye..
soreness and redness and itchiness/hair loss around an area that is moist such as the eyes can be a sign of high anxiety and stress about something..it can also be that he had a cold! could even be that his bedding is gritty or dusty from the recent wet muddy weather..or too much washing powder residue...
if you have exhausted the physical with the vet, take a look at environmental and emotional..

if you suspect stress - rather than treating the symptom, it may be worth treating possible cause..some stress reduction, watch him for times when he displays anxiety related signs..licking the lips, flicking the end of the nose, yawning, scratching, shaking (not trembling) - (shaking as if he were wet) chewing at the paws etc...workout what is happening in his environment at this time that is causing him to worry and change it for him.

[Kimmikins]

How's his rash today?

[Jordan]

Took him to the vets today to see about the rash as its been a week and its still there. Not as bad but its in both ears now. He checked in both ears and theyre fine its just the external area of the inner ear .......he was thinking like Adrianne it might be a reaction to touching something so he gave me some Fuciderm gel to see if that helps.

He also got some Loxicom as hes been limping quite badly past few days.

[Kimmikins]

Poor fella, I hope the gel helps soothe his ears! And he's limping too? Sending him big squishy hugs

[kristina]

Hope he will be fine too,any thing to do with the this dust from the desert?? my garden was coated in it,we washed every thing off with hose pipe,Xena paws were pink so she got washed off too other wise have no idea.Stinging nettles are nasty too especially when they are growing they seem to be at there most pungent at stinging and creating all sorts of irritants.Kristina

[Jordan]

Oh i never thought about that Kristina. Funnily enough the vet asked if hed been to the beach!!! I noticed the garden is very gritty under foot on the paving so maybe thats what it is.

Domino seems to have problems with his mobility that comes and goes and changes from one leg to another but this is the worst its ever been. Vet cant find anything wrong so thinks its might be to do with the seizures causing problems in the nerves of the muscles. Ataxia is a symptom of Lafora.

[Kimmikins]

Oh good thought, Kristina! The dust has been causing all kinds of problems, so it stands to reason it had something to do with it.

I hope this bout of limping eases soon, the sweet boy

[Jordan]

The Fuciderm gel seems to have done the job, rash in ears cleared up after a few days of using it and hasnt come back.

The limp doesn't seem to be going away but not so bad as kt was so we'll see how things go this week without the Loxicom.

[Adrianne]

thats good news about his ears. ...there is always something, springers are trouble magnets!

[Jordan]

Your not wrong Adrianne!

Domino is nursing a skinned top lip, chin, inner lip, carpal pad, hock, and bruised penis. All because he was playing with his pals the 2 collies on Monday. They were chasing after a ball when his leg gave way as he was coming down a wee grass banking and slid down into the stoney path full force! Wish he wouldnt do everything 100mph when hes out playing!