Wilson has a WEIRD rash!

[dogs4life]

I'm not sure what a staph infection looks like and have no experience with those types of infection.

If you are very concerned, you can ask the vet to do a skin scraping or biopsy and culture to figure out what it is? I can get costly, I'd expect $35/bacteria test and $100 for scraping/biospsy with "real" microscope work. AND can take upto a week to get results.

If your dog is truly uncomfortable, you might need to put on a topical ointment to aid in healing and keep your dog from digging at it.

You can clean the area with vinegar wipes, betadine (buffered iodine), or soap & water. To ease pain and aid in healing we use coconut oil, tea tree oil, neosporin or A&D ointment. Make sure to keep the area covered so the dog cannot lick or wipe off ointment, usually we put t-shirts (childrens sizes work best), socks and shorts on them.

Good luck at the next vet.

HTH

[dogs4life]

Did you get a 2nd opinion? What did they say?

How is Wilson doing? Getting better?

[misspiggy180]

Another trip to the Vet... this one gave Wilson a shot and some medication. She is treating him for worms even though I doubt he has any. Also, immediately said it was a food allergy. Back to IAMS. He seemed mush happier yesterday... I know we were. She gave him some antibiotics I think... it Cephalexin 500 mg. He is to take this two times a day.

Now we shall see... thank you to everyone for your support and feedback.

[misspiggy180]

Wilson's NEW Vet took one look at his tummy and said it is a food allergy. THANK YOU! We put him back on the trusty IAMS and NO ALPO canned food mixed in. She gave him a shot and some pills (Cephalexin 500 mg.) He is new dog. The rash is still visible but totally flat like his tummy is scarred. Wilson turned two July 11, 2007. His mom is an AKA Championship Bloodline of Black Labrador Retriever and his Dad is a "sneaky neighbor dog." We adopted him out of the paper for $50.00 and he is the best dog we have ever had. He is totally in porportion for his body (not over weight) and he is 105 pounds.
Thanks everyone for helping me feel better in those scary moments before you can get your dog to the vet.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Glad your pooch is feeling better!

I would actually consider changing to a premium kibble. He'd be less likely to develop allergies, and they have premium formulas that are great for dogs with allergies.

Dick Van Patterns Natural Balance is a great food for dogs with allergies. You can view them here:
Natural Balance

It may be a little more money, but you won't have to feed as much with a premium kibble. So you buy less and your dog gets more out of it.

ETA: When looking at foods, the ingredients is what you want to pay attention to. Whatever the first four ingredients are on the list, is what the food is mostly made of. I stay away from foods that have any sort of by-products or corn in them. Corn is probably a very common allergy for dogs.

Better ingredients means the dogs eats less, and absorbs more out of the food. Poops will be smaller and not as smelly, their coat improves, as well as any doggy odor they might have.