Hi everyone,

I wonder if anyone has any experience of nasty skin infections - an I mean REALLY nasty!

Last week my 4.5 yr old goldie bitch started nibbling and scratching just above one of her back legs and I noticed she had a nasty sore. I took her to the vet who shaved the wound, gave her an antibiotic jab and more antibiotics to take at home - he said she'd been bitten and the wound had become infected.

I took her back last night and the original wound had dried up (she's had an Elizabethan collar on), but he found another one near by, but this was deep in her skin and the vet said it was resistant to the antibiotics she'd been on and she had a temperature of 103 degrees! He lanced it and it was full of horrid gunge so he's given her more antibiotics and said she may need to be sewn back up when the bacteria have gone! Nobody is allowed to touch her anywhere near the wound because it's resistant to the antibiotics, and I've been told that the kids should avoid her altogether. My poor girl - I feel so helpless :(. I'm worried in case it spreads on her. Her temp still seems up a bit today - but the vet said she must be tough because another dog would have shown signs of being seriously ill with the same condition and temperature - Ellie was playing with our other girl 10 mins before we went to the vet, but seems a bit listless today.

Has anyone ever had dogs with this type of thing before? We're back at the vet on Thursday, but if she doesn't pick up a bit, I'm going to take her back sooner.

Paula

Our old Weimaraner had a shocking skin condition in the last year of his life, ended up covered in weeping sores poor chap. Our vet eventually referred him to a dermatologist who worked wonders (his condition was senile allopeciea( spelling??) and a secondary skin infection so nothing like what your poor baby has). My advice would be to ask early on about the possibility of referral rather than wait.

Update: Ellie seems to be a bit better today, her temperature seems to have gone down, though she still seems a bit poorly. I'm back at the vets tomorrow - I'll let you know how we get on
Paula

Paula does your dog have a skin infection or has she been bitten and the bite has become infected causing 'blood poisioning'. Either way the treatment would be much the same as you have said, but if is an infection was it a boil or cyst or some such? Hope she continues to improve. Jackie H

PS I've got an Elli but we don't bother with the eeeeeeeeeeeee.............

We've been to the vets tonight - its a stapphylococcus (think this is how it's spelt!) infection- resistant to penicillin :(. She's got to go in to be sedated tomorrow to have the dead skin removed and the wound dressed and next week she's got to go in to have the wounds sewn up as they're so big they wouldn't heal properly on their own :( Poor girl - she hates the vets - every time she goes someone sticks a needle in her. Apparently retrievers are renowned for having skin probs - though mine have been very healthy so far - just a bit barmy in the head :D

Paula

Sorry to hear about your girl - how about once it's all done you take her back to the vets a few times for them to give her treats and fuss her so hopefully she won't get so stressed next time?

Hope she makes a good recovery

Fran

Hi Paula

Poor girl she sounds in a bit of a state, hope it all goes well tomorrow and they get it sorted out for her.

Best wishes Lisa

Aaw what a shame. I do hope the vet manages to get on top of this and get it all sorted for you. How distressing.

Hugs

Pam n the boys

Thanks everyone - she's now home and just very sleepy - her head just looks too heavy for her to hold up :(. She's very glad to be home though and keeps coming for extra cuddles :) - she's such a sweetie. We're back at the vet on Monday to see how the wound's healing and to decide when her big op is going to be - she's got to have the wounds sewn back together because they're so big they wouldn't heal properly:(

It's as bad as the kids having to go into hospital :(. Mind you, it could have been worse - at least it hasn't spread - I was worried that it might and we could have lost her - we would all be devastated - she's so much part of the family.

Will update you all next week

Paula

P.S If I've learned anything this week, it's get ALL sores checked out!

Hi Paula

Glad to hear that your girl is back home with you. Fingers crossed that her treatment works quickly and she makes a full recovery.

Lisa

paula. echinacea is a herbal remedy for building up the immune system , it is in capsule or liquid form. I think it will help your dog build back up the immunities as AB'S sadly destroys good as well as bad cells,

Thanks Mari, I've heard that probiotics are good too, I'll try anything if it'll help her get better :)

Thanks Lisa too, everyone has been so kind :) - I'll update you all on Monday after we've been to the V.E.T's (trying not to say it out loud:D)

Paula

P S I know AB's can have a down side too - I've got a very sore mouth and having to put gel stuff on it after nearly 2 weeks of them myself!!

Another update: the op was done yesterday to sew the wounds back together (they were so big they wouldn't have healed very well). She's had to stay at the vets until tomorrow because she's got a drain in and the vet's worried that our other dog may pull it out.

We're all missing her like mad - our other girl is very depressed without her:(

I will be so glad when she's better - I've promised her a nice long walk when she's better - she's only had gentle lead walks since it happened.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and comforting words :)
I really appreciate it
Paula

Paula, hope she continues to progress well :-)

Fran

Thanks Fran,

I brought her home from the vets this afternoon, she's got about 40 stitches and a drain in, doesn't look very happy, and is on 2 sets of antibiotics, but at least she's on the mend. It's going to be about 2 weeks before she can have her stitches out. You'd have thought she's have been used to the Elizabethan collar by now, but she's still crashing into everything - I've got the bruises to prove it :D

Paula

P.S Thank goodness for pet insurance!!!!!:)