Health query Advice Needed

[JeffP]

We have an amazing and wonderful rescue who has severe vet problems. This means heavy medication just to go to the vet.
He has developed a black patch (fur) on his shoulder and a rash which is present on his chest, front legs and belly. We have changed his diet a number of times hoping to isolate the cause…Is it possible that the "Revolution" heartworm/flea and tick medication is causing this? Our boy is about eight and has also evidenced a "tick-like" growth and a few bumps.
We are having a vet come to our home but perhaps someone out there has some ideas on this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[Quercus]

So the hair has actually changed color? Could you post a pic?

[tanza]

I don't particularly like Revolution, I prefer to use regular heartworm meds and just use the topical flea meds (like Advantage) if needed. Not sure where in California you are, but here in No. Ca., fleas are not a problem all the time, only some times during the year, so I only use when needed.

What are you feeding him? Certainly sounds to be food related along with maybe the Revolution. What do you mean by tick-like growths?

[dash]

Please keep in mind, these are my "opinions" and I am not a vet.

There could be numerous things going on.

1. Did you change dog shampoo, laundry detergent, dog bedding. Anything that is coming in contact with that part of his body?

2)How long are you allowing him to be on a food before you change him? Sometimes it takes months to see a difference in their skin. I have noticed dog food allergies also cause ear infections, have you noticed anything like that?

3. Does he have fleas? It only takes one to cause a severe reaction in allergic dogs.

4. I thought Revolution was an oral med? If so, I doubt it would be the problem.

5)If this rash has been going on for a while, he needs to see a vet. They may need to put him on steroids to get it under control.

Good luck.

[tanza]

There have been many people that have used Revolution and came up with skin problems among other things… depends like all things on the dog and how they react... oral meds can give or contribute to skin conditions.

[JeffP]

@Quercus:

So the hair has actually changed color? Could you post a pic?

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately my computer skills are limited. I can send an iphone pic via email if you have an email address I can use.

We had a visit at our home today (Sunday)by a terrific and caring vet. We have a bacterial infection possibly having started with allergies. The black patch and additional black discolorations on his belly are the result of the bacterial infection spreading.The suspicion is something which is going through hair folicles. Scraping & lab work to be done. Started
some meds and using a "Bactine-like" spray to give Simba some instant relief.
When I have a name for this "thing" I will post it.
THANK YOU again for your timely and caring response.
Best regards,
Jeff

[tanza]

Just curious, where in California are you that you found a Vet that makes house calls?

[sharronhurlbut]

Do let us know how your b does.
Fingers crossed it will resolve itself soon.

[snorky998]

Hope your little guy is doing better.

Did he have a staph infection on the skin? If so be careful to wash hands, bedding, etc. well as staph can transfer to humans. My girlfriend got it from her cattle dog rescue.

Were those "tick like" bumps skin tags? Tyler had one on his lower jaw for a few years, then one day Katie chewed it off:eek:

[JeffP]

@tanza:

Just curious, where in California are you that you found a Vet that makes house calls?

We live in the Los Angeles area. The vets e-mail address is homevetca@gmail.com. She was very warm and caring with our basenji and he was relaxed and cooperative, unlike what he is like seeing a vet at their office.

[sharronhurlbut]

Did they take skin scrapping for mange?

[snorky998]

@JeffP:

We live in the Los Angeles area. The vets e-mail address is homevetca@gmail.com. She was very warm and caring with our basenji and he was relaxed and cooperative, unlike what he is like seeing a vet at their office.

I also have a home visit vet. I love her. She is worth the slightly raised prices to account for gas prices. I'd NEVER go back to office visits if I can avoid it.

[JeffP]

I hope this reaches all the folks who have responded. The care and responses of the Basenji community on the Forum blew me away!!!
Please know that Simba is doing much better, the antibiotics are working and the black patch changed characteristics from hard and rough to gradually disintegrating with no loss of coat. Whatever the bacteria is it appears to be systemic but is getting under control.
I want to highly recommend the "housecall vet" to anyone in the Los Angeles area. Our rescue had been badly mistreated somewhere along the way (his teeth are worn away from chewing and "worrying" either the cage at the pound or the crate he must have been kept in). In any case his personality changes drasticly in a vets office. This "at home" visit has allowed us to take full responsibility for our guy.
Again, my sincere thanks to all of you who posted such caring comments.
They were all explored. Your thoughtful responses were and are greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Jeff

[JeffP]

@sharronhurlbut:

Do let us know how your b does.
Fingers crossed it will resolve itself soon.

Dear Sharron,
Thank you very much. Please see my response posted today.
Best regards,
Jeff