Dog infection

Ryan Werden

Ryan Werden

Well-known member
This past year my Golden Retriever began getting bumps and discoloration on his belly. He would lick and itch it like crazy. The vet diagnosed him with a staph infection and said it's very common in retrievers. They prescribed him with Cephalexin which requires 2 pills 3 times a day. The meds seem to take it away, but within a week of being off the meds it comes right back. I'm going to try taking him to another vet to see if they believe it's the same thing. I also hope there's another form of treatment (shot?). Has anyone experienced this with either goldens or labs? I feel bad for the guy as he seems uncomfortable. I've also tried cortisone sprays and shampoo's to dry him up, also prescribed by the vet.

Ryan
 
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Ryan,

Otto (chessie) has had this in the past. Most recently was last spring. According to my vet, he is likely allergic to something in his environment which causes a rash and then a pimple which bursts and lets in the staff infection. His symptoms did NOT include itching but he had major hair loss in circular patterns usually on his belly/chest but also on his back. The cephaloxin took care of the staff infection but did nothing for the underlying allergy vector. One thing I have done that has helped is changed his food. Even within one manufacturer there can be drastic differences in the quality of the ingredients. Again, according to my vet, the one ingredient that can cause problems is the quality and amount of fat. I have fed him Purina ProPlan or Purina One his whole life but only recently got away from the chicken and either get the lamb or the beef. He "seems" to be getting better and has had far fewer rashes, infections, etc. since I switched. I may try a totally different brand such as Eucanuba per recommendations from the vets on this forum.

I know, it's almost painful to watch them go through this. I have had dogs my whole life (13 or 14 so far) and never realized before the past couple of years how much the quality of the food can affect their quality of life.

Pete
 
Hey Ryan,

My lab has had the same issue for the past 2-3 years. I've had the same success with pills and sprays that you have, it comes right back. What I was finally told was that some dogs develop an allergy to the type of protein in their dog food, and the allergy hot spots develop a staf infection. I switched her over to a venison based food, and it cleared right up and stayed that way for the past year, right up until a couple of days ago. Now it's back, but I haven't had a chance to get her to the vet yet. Good luck.
 
Thanks Pete! I'm watching this thread like a hawk in hopes that Ira or Brian Story will see it. I've done some research on the web and it does appear as though it's pretty common. I feed him an Iam's adult blend right now.

I'm actually getting a bit frustrated with the vets as they just say 'oh looks like the same staph, here's $200 dollars worth of medication and good luck'. Doesn't seem as through they're trying to find the root cause. I'm making an appt. with another vet to see what they say/recommend.

Thanks for the insight on the dog food. I might have to switch foods to see if that has an affect. Glad to hear you have Otto's under control.

Ryan
 
Dang Scott, bummer to hear it's back. Wonder if the venison based food has something the other food had in it? Maybe you could look at the back of the bag and see if any of the ingredients are the same?

I'll let you know if the vets come up with anything for Jake. Maybe it could help you out.

Between Otto and your lab it sounds as though food may have some linkage...

Ryan
 
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