Maui's odd health issues
Over the past few days Maui has started loosing his hair and his skin has turned a deep red color.
His eye has also started to drain some odd liquid.
Jen took him to the vet when she dropped off Hilo. The vet is totally stumped - tested him for allergies and found nothing [skin scrapes, etc.]. His hair is also falling out in clumps.
We have also noticed he has lost a good bit of weight, but he has always been very thin and not interested in food.
They tested his thyroid levels. We'll get the results soon...
I honestly hope it is a thyroid issue since then we can give him meds that will help - maybe he will be able to gain some weight for once too.
I'll keep you posted...
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His eye has also started to drain some odd liquid.
Jen took him to the vet when she dropped off Hilo. The vet is totally stumped - tested him for allergies and found nothing [skin scrapes, etc.]. His hair is also falling out in clumps.
We have also noticed he has lost a good bit of weight, but he has always been very thin and not interested in food.
They tested his thyroid levels. We'll get the results soon...
I honestly hope it is a thyroid issue since then we can give him meds that will help - maybe he will be able to gain some weight for once too.
I'll keep you posted...
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Comments
Keep that child inside until late evenings.
Don't worry, all will be o.k.
If you read up on Thyroid issues it really seems to sound like Maui - specifically Hypothyroidism.
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Hopefully the blood tests will have some sort of conclusive result.
Standard Process has a supplement especially for Thyroid Support, if you can find a source for it where you are.
Sending good vibes to the entire Anderson pack, you guys are going through way, way too much lately.
Thyroid conditions can spur on all sorts of odd symptoms. If you go with thyroid test, yes, get a six panel and have it sent to Jean Dodds (located in CA I believe) or Michigan state.
It also could be allergies if he is in contact with a surface or item that is irritating. It can be inhalation allergies that causes skin disorders as well. Sadly many Shibas suffer from allergies and the average vet practitioner has no idea what they are dealing with if it flairs into a severe state. If the thyroid test is normal and he is still stumped, I would seek a specialist in veterinary dermatology.
Snf
Has the Vet. eleminatded SA (Sebaceous Adenitis)?
Some therapy exist for that and in general it's good therapy.
For Sebaceous Adenitis, I never see a Shiba Inu with this problem.
I'm not a vet, but the symptoms you describe are not apparently SA.
Big kiss for Maui!
^_^
Stress? You've had a lot going on lately.
But I am opting for the thyroid or food intolerance thing and not something more serious.
I say food intolerance because I have a form of hives called angioedema. After 25 yrs, thousands of dollars in allergy tests (all came up pretty much negative), someone mentioned food intolerance. For me, it was wheat. While I can eat it, I have to limit my intake to a serving a day. Lo and behold, I don't get nearly the outbreaks I did before and as a bonus, I haven't had a migrane since (I had migranes, too). So there MAY be something in his diet that doesn't agree with him if it's a build-up, you know?
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So here is a picture of Maui, note the odd color and the bald chest:
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It doesn't look like he's scratching it or anything, so that's good right? :-/
Also, is that Loa to the left? Whoever it is, they need a nail clipping. :P (upon further inspection, Maui does too)
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So he's acting normal?
I knew Tasha had a thyroid issue because 1)I'd heard it was a fairly common thing in older Akitas and 2)She was getting very lethargic and VERY moody - NOT a Tasha trait. For Tasha to get snarky, the world must be coming to an end. She also gained weight, but never lost hair.
Still, I say have his thyroid checked. How are his liver enzymes? If they're running a blood panel, that should be included, I think.
If the bloodwork comes out okay, maybe put him on a unique protein and a unique carb diet for a week and see if his skin calms down. Are you bathing him in anything different? Has the formula changed (and they didn't mention it on the label?) New carpet or new cleaning solution? New couch that he lays on?
Is he sensitive to Benedryl? I have given Ronan a whole Benedryl before to see what the issue is. Benedryl is good for figuring out if the allergen is airborne or ingested. If it's airborne, the Benedryl will offer some relief. If it's ingested, it won't do anything but make him sleepy. If he's stressed, perhaps he'll be sleepy enough not to care? LOL!
Is he scratching? Drinking more/less water than normal? Peeing more?
Sigh. Out of any other ideas at the moment. Anyone else?
You bring up a good point tho, that's another odd thing, since we have moved here Maui's nails grow freaky fast! Jen has to clip them once a week!
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Michelle - no new anything, the only thing new is the yard and the heat outside but he hasn't spent much time out there since its been kinda warm. He sleeps in the kennels out side a lot, he likes it. I thinks its nice and cool for him... so when we can't find him we always find him sleeping in a kennel.
Anyway, we have cedar wood chips in the kennel, maybe he is having a reaction from those?
Maybe we will try him on a different protein and see what that does.
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hmmm...
Oh yeah, pea gravel works, too.
Cedar chips were recommended to us by the person that runs the rescue here in tow, who is also a vet, she said it was the safest thing to use. I'm not arguing with you, it could be the chips, but does anyone have any documents or links that about this?
Maybe we should do gravel instead. I dunno... but even still, if it was the cedar mulch wouldn't that be an allergy and have been found by our vets' allergy test????
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I really am just asking, I have no idea...
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http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dogmaint.html#Cedar shavings as bedding
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/woodshavings.htm
Cedar shavings cause contact allergy in some dogs, due to the oil in the
chips. Dogs with this problem usually have itchiness and sometimes
hair loss. There may be secondary infections if the problem goes on for a
while. I have seen two or three dogs with this problem during the time
I've been in practice.
There is a chance that cedar chips may cause respiratory problems in
sensitive animals but I have only heard of actual cases of this in guinea
pigs.
Wood chips in general can sometimes cause constipation or physical injuries
to the digestive tract in dogs, at least according to clinical reports. We
have seen this in dogs that chew sticks a lot.
A lot of people use cedar chips for bedding and we see very few problems
with them, overall, but there is some potential for causing problems.
I guarantee, if its a rare issue for dogs, Maui will mos def have it... I guess we should ditch the mulch.
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Dogs are sometimes prone to developing a staph infection on the skin (especially manifests itself on the belly or underside). This is treatable with an antibiotic. I don't know if it can be internalized, or whether humans can catch it, but its a good idea nevertheless to take care of it because I'm sure eventually itching will start, skin will be broken by nails, and then there is an entry point for internal infections. Our previous dog had it for a long time and our local vet didn't get it right, but the visiting brother-in-law vet from Oregon took one look, knew the cause and the cure, and that was the end of that.
Not so much in MN, but I hear in other areas of the country doggies could be prone to catching the mange, which apparently could initially manifest itself as some sort of nebulous skin disorders, at least until it gets more advanced. I understand that is hard to diagnose, but again can be treated with an antibiotic or some such thing, and again the (smart relative) vet advised us (with Josephine who had some strange rashes and itching after we found her) to treat for it rather than trying the difficult diagnosis path. Apparently whatever he prescribed would also take care of some less serious skin ailments as well. I don't recall the specifics now, but the course of treatment was maybe only 2-3 weeks. Good news-- the wierd skin stuff went away, etc.
Well, besides all the other guesses, those are some things to consider. My experience with the vets is that many of them seem a little light on their diagnostic capabilities (maybe some of these conditions are relatively rare?)... So its good to seek opinions like this, and also among the so-called professionals.
The link for veterinary dermatology with photos is no longer available. (One of the leading vet allergists on the east coast that was kind enough to have placed this type info to public via the web died in March.)
From experience I relay this bit of info. Cedar causes respiratory problems in exotic birds, many rodents, people, and also some dogs at that are sensitive. (Of course not all animals react to it but many do).
It can cause runny eyes and inhalation irritation. Canines do not necessarily exhibit symptoms the same way humans do such as sneezing and stuffy noses, but they can have bronchial spasms in addition to skin sensitivity.
Many allergy symptoms appear through the skin and can typically involve hair loss. The onset can seem sudden when it flairs. Allergies typically get worse as dogs age. In regard to over the counter meds….Off the top, I think the statistic is, allergy medication (such as benedryl) is it only effective in 10% of dogs. Therefore, stronger prescribed medication may be needed combined with topical treatments.
What you have photographed looks quite possible like an allergy.
Cedar does stain paws and fur, particularly if it gets damp or dew on it. Around here it is not used in animal husbandry or zoo-keeping. Instead shredded paper, aspen shavings or hay is used for indoor animals or to line concrete floors for larger mammals.
As a suggestion, for kennel or run, dry deck mats might be an option.
It still would be a good idea to get Maui’s thyroid checked though. You never know if it is responsible for compromising his immune system making the potential for allergies worse.
Here is some really very basic info and no photos. : (
http://www.ehow.com/how_18578_care-dog-has.html
Snf