My pointer bitch is covered in pussy spots after shooting a couple of days ago. They are all in her ears, under her tum and across her back. She had a few under her tum a while ago but I put that down to a possible allergy to some different shampoo I used? She had a shower (just warm water) after shooting to remove all the mud etc, she then had her fleecy coat on to dry of and warm up. Could the heat of the coat caused the spots? She does tear through the brambles (most unusual for the breed) but I have taken out all the prickles I can feel.

She is feeling very sorry for herself at the moment and is strugging to raise a waggle!
Does anyone have a clue what the pussy spots could be caused by and any tips for a 'pick me up' after a hard day out working.

I would take her to the vets. Hopefully the vet will have know what the cause and the solution is. Also with the New Year holidays coming up probably best to seek veterinary help at normal, not inflated out of hours prices.

Spots with puss sounds like it needs antibiotics.

What was the fleecy coat washed in, when wet the washing powder/liquid/conditioner residue may have transfered, and she reacted.  I used to come out like that after Ariel and Persil

I don't actually think I have washed it at all yet as it just dries on the radiator?

Could be something used in production, is it scotchguarded.  I'd wash it in a non bio baby type washing powder like Fairy.

As said above I would take her to the vets. If it's an allergy they may give an antihistamine to relieve the symptoms and make her happier.

Does she ever wear the coat except after shooting? personally I think the coat is unlikely as you said it is in her ears too so not just where the coat touches.could she have run through something stingy? like a big patch of nettles? how quickly did they come up after you got home? When you say pussy; can you see a head (like a spot) on them or are they oozing? is there any redness around the spots like a rash?
it does sound like an allergic reaction to me; I've never used it but I believe some people on here recommend Piriton (SP)for home treatment of allergies.

She has worn the coat the odd time after being in the sea but usually just after shooting. I may take her to the beach this afternoon as I think the salt water will do it all good.
They don't really have a head but if you squeeze gently then the pus oozes out, they are not particularly red. She could and did go through all sorts - including brambles etc. I didn't see and nettles though although it is easily possible. I noticed that they were up the following morning. She is very short haired and therefore every lump and bump is easily visible.

Where abouts in the country are you?  there are a number of dogs that have been extremely ill, starting with the same symptoms after going shooting, at first they thought that the farmers were spraying something on their cropsn that they normally don't.  Can't remember what the illness is but it can be extremely serious.  will go on facebook now!

EVERYONE PLEASE BE AWARE:

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES OF DOGS SUFFERING FROM SKIN LESIONS, LETHARGY AND SICKNESS AND IN THREE (3) OUT OF FIVE (5) RENAL FAILURE, FITS AND DEATH.PERSONALLY, WE HAVE LOST TWO DOGS IN THE LAST WEEK, BOTH WERE KENNEL DOGS AND AFTER A DAY'S BEATING WERE PUT BACK IN THEIR KENNELS - SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DO, THE THIRD DOG LIVES IN AND WAS BATHED!

ANOTHER DOG ALSO PRESENTED WITH THESE SYMPTOMS , BUT AS WITH OUR HOUSE DOG IT HAD BEEN BATHED AND TREATMENT SEEMS TO HAVE CONTOLLED THE SITUATION THOUGH BOTH THESE DOGS ARE UNDER SURVEILANCE AND ARE STILL HAVING REGULARBLOOD TESTS AS THERE IS STILL A CHANCE OF RENAL FAILURE.

WE HAVE TODAY LEARNT THAT A YOUNG SPANIEL, WHO HAS PRESENTED WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, DESPITE VISITING THE VET AND RECEIVING ANTIBIOTICS, AS THE VET DIDN'T FEEL IT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT BLOODTESTS AS HE FELT THE OWNER WAS OVER REACTING, HAS ALSO DIED.

PLEASE ,PLEASE, PLEASE - IF YOUR DOG HAS SPOTS ON IT'S LEGS, TUMMY ETC, AND IS LETHARGIC SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE IMMEDIATELY AND INSIST ON A BLOODTEST TO CHECK FOR RENAL FAILURE.

ASK YOUR VETS TO SPEAK TO MARTIN AND CARR OF PERSHORE (TOM CARR OR JAMES) WHO ARE MORE THAN HAPPY FOR YOU TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH THEM AS THEY HAVE THREE WEEKS EXPERIENCE OF DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU WISH YOU CAN ALSO SPEAK TO STEVE 07754 298867 OR 01905 840664 (EVENINGS ONLY)WE WOULD SUGGEST THAT ANYONE WHO TAKES THEIR DOG INTO THE SHOOTING FIELD TAKES THE TIME TO BATH THEM WHEN THEY GET HOME SO THAT THEY DO NOT LICK THEMSELVES AND INGEST

ANYTHING POTENTIALLY FATAL.

Steve Smith

Chairman

WGDS

Sorry Gema, didn't want to worry you, but felt you needed to know, though hopefully it's just an allergic reaction with your dog!  I can't find the later post which said what the actual problem was now, but believed not to be due to farmers crop spraying.

I was very confused as to what "pussy spots" were till I realised you meant "pus"[pus spots], if pus is present then so is infection and if the dog isn't behaving normally then it is affecting more than just the localised skin area and she needs to see the vet to get systemic medication or topical medication to relieve the symptoms and make her feel better and more comfortable.

We are in Cornwall. My other dog (terrier) is fine and they were both out on the same ground for the same amount of time. I think the Vizsla is fairly thin skinned and sensitive to being scratched. I am going to go and see my Mum's viz this afternoon who was also out that day with us.

She has had the exact same pussy spots a while ago after shooting and also once after being bathed.

She has a good appetite and has not been sick. She is tired but I have put that down to the fact that she was out shooting for a whole day, she usually is tired / quiet for a couple of days after a long day out hunting.

you may be right but personally I would be going to the vets for a check up not the sea. I know it's salty but hardly sterile! hope it's all ok, do let us know if you get an answer.

Is there pus in the spots or just clear, sticky fluid?

They look white but the stuff that comes out is sticky and white (not yellow).

Update 12/12/2012
Presently in coordination with information from Worcester Gundogs and some other vets we
think leptospirosis may be the most likely diagnosis. We advise vaccination but emphasise
that not all strains of leptospirosis are protectable from the vaccine including L Bratislava
which has been identified in two other similar cases we know of. Therefore, kennel hygiene
and washing dogs after work, followed by drying, has to be considered as paramount in
reducing the incidence of disease.

Even if there was the slightest chance that this is the same thing I would be taking any dog of mine straight to the vet rather than rationalising that she is tired because she's done a day's hunting. Even without these recent cases, if she has spots with pus in them she needs to see a vet. Pus means infection.

Yes I would be off to the vets for peace of mind asap especially as she seems a bit quiet tired or not.

Agree with Zan, and would not be taking the dog to the seaside.  Waiting to see how other folks dogs are would not be an option either.

I can't believe that any action is being delayed.  I don't make a "fuss about nothing" with my own dogs, but common sense should prevail.  When it's left too long, it can be too late.

Gema

How old is your Vizsla?  If you have one that is sensitive, and prone to rashes and spots, it's highly likely that you would have seen them appear before she was 18 months old.  Although some dogs do present quite late, most dogs will have had an episode well before reaching 12 months old.

I have WHV and I know exactly what to expect and can judge what is 'normal' for mine BUT if you've got such a profuse covering I'd be inclined to err on the side of caution and talk to the vet.  The information you've been given regarding the dogs in Worcestershire is a concern and I'd suggest you take a print-out of the advice to the vets with you

For future reference, if it turns out that she is simply a bit sensitive, then you can wash her after work or muddy walks in a dilute solution of Hibiscrub and keep Piriton on hand.  Both are staples in my dog cupboard as is Dermacton for sore patches and rashes.  However do check with a vet first and ask about a York test if she continues to have flare ups.  Incidentally I also wash all the dogs bedding and towels etc in Surcare - one of mine reacted to my normal washing liquid!

PS presumably she didn't come into season then, as expected, that was a stroke of luck.  Perhaps she was listening :)

I work my dogs too and I would be thinking of pesticides, in those circumstances.  Tearing through cover causes scratches and scrapes, not pus filled spots.  What you're describing sounds more like either an allergy (to what though?) or a reaction to pesticides.  Either way, some sort of immune response.  What is her gum colour like, is it pale?

Glad to say after a couple of days R & R she is now fine, bounding around as usual. Just the usual slight scabbiness to be expected after a day going through all sorts.
She works as hard as any of the spaniels out shooting and although she is very fit it takes it out of her which is why I plan my shoot days to try and only do one day per week.
She has had these spots many times and yes before 18 / 12 months as well. Next time I go into the vets I shall ask their opinion.
Oh and she did come into season but that was at least 2 weeks before Xmas so is now ready to be out and about again!

Her gum colour has been very good throughout - I did check frequently and is the first thing I do if one seems quiet.

I have over the years had the ocassional dog that the day after a days work has had puss spots on her underside, in the groin area, inside back legs on tummy and a little higher on the side of tummy (all on soft skin ). This is after a good day of bramble bashing and loads of scratches and pricks from the bramble thorns and bracken. The spots are probably 1/8th inch with a flat/slightly rounded top and white but I do not recall any redness or inflamation sorounding any of them. I usually clean/bathe the affected areas with pevedine (a dairy wash). None of the affected dogs have ever been poorly or needed to see a vet or have antibiotics and the spots disapear. I have always put this down to dirty brambles and bracken !