Newly diagnosed and scared

[Harley PoMMom]

Has the diarrhea stopped? And if so, are his stools of a normal consistency? With some dogs, once the cortisol has stabilized their coat may change, they may even lose a bunch of fur, but if those spots look reddened or still bother him a trip to the dermatologist may be a good idea. I see in your 3/24 post that an ACTH stim test is going to be done in 3 weeks which will be this week, is a full ACTH stim test going to be performed?

[Pbalca426]

Thank you, I think I got the pictures right now! Yes he hasn't had any more diarrhea, his stools have been normal. His skin doesn't look bad, no redness or inflammation or sores, but he was really itchy last night so if he continues to itch I will have him checked out just to make sure nothing else is going on. As far as the ACTH test goes, we kind of just started playing everything by ear since stopping the lysodren for those days last week. They told me to call them mid week with an update on how Rambo's doing and they will tell me where to go from there.

[labblab]

Success re: uploading the photos — good job!! Since the photos are now in your album, I went ahead and deleted the two “empty” replies where you were trying to insert the pictures ;-). Seeing the photos, though, I’m unsure as to what is going on with Rambo’s skin and coat. Usually the cyclical shedding and regrowth associated with Cushing’s treatment occurs all over the body as opposed to creating discrete bald spots. If you’ve got a dermatologist available to you, I believe I’d take him in to be seen. Perhaps he’s developed a skin infection of some sort? I just dunno...

Very glad the diarrhea has cleared up, and we’ll be anxious to continue getting updates.

Marianne

[Pbalca426]

Thank you! I'm going to be calling tomorrow to schedule him an appointment!

[molly muffin]

Did you get an appointment? It is strange how there are just these patches, because outside of those areas, the coat looks pretty good. Thick and shiny. Interested to hear what the vet says

[Pbalca426]

I did schedule an appointmet but unfortunately the dermatologist didn't have have any available appointments until may 14th. I think I am going to look into getting him in somewhere sooner because he's really started itching like crazy and I feel so bad for him. His spots where he is missing hair have a bunch on tiny brownish-blackish spots and his skin is peeling. My regular vet must have gotten upset when I started seeing specialist because they called and left a message saying not to come back so I'm currently looking for a new regular vet and can hopefully get Rambo in somewhere soon! I've been bathing him in really good medicated soap but it doesn't seem to be helping.

[Pbalca426]

Just returned from vet and turns out Rambo has Demodectic Mange. Poor guy I feel so bad for him. Got a prescription for Simparica and antibiotics. Hoping for a speedy recovery for my itchy boy!

[Harley PoMMom]

I just can't believe how your vet reacted, how awful and unprofessional of them Glad you took Rambo to the vet and was able to get his skin/fur issue diagnosed, and hopefully those medications will heal the mange soon. Was this a dermatologist that diagnosed the mange and was it diagnosed with a skin scraping or biopsy?

[happy2help]

Just returned from vet and turns out Rambo has Demodectic Mange. Poor guy I feel so bad for him. Got a prescription for Simparica and antibiotics. Hoping for a speedy recovery for my itchy boy!

Harley PoMMom shared your Rambo's pictures with me so comparison to my Tyrant's current skin conditions. I dis some searching on Demodectric Mange and found this site. Don't know if it will be helpful or not but wanted to share. Tyrant dose not yet have a confirmed diagnosis on his skin lesions so I have not tried this product. https://www.happydognaturals.com/demodectic-mange Just wanted to share. I agree...rude of your vet to be offended that you would want to see a specialist.
Good luck in your quest or healing.
Cheryl

[Pbalca426]

No, it was not a dermatologist. I asked around and got recommendations for a good family vet near me and they were able to get us in the next day so we went there. I do have an appointment with dermatologist on May 14th (it was the soonest they could get us in) which I am going to hold off cancelling for a bit and if I see no improvement I will take him there as well. They did two skin scrapings on him and let us go back and look at the mite in the microscope! Gross! I felt so bad for him! Thank you Cheryl for the site, I am definitely looking into ordering some of those products, especially the shampoo! I wish you the best of luck on your boy as well! It is definitely a journey but helps talking to people who understand!