Pam

by Pam
(Corbin< KY)

Hello, I have a 91 lb, nine year old, Golden retriever.
Fully updated on shots 4 months ago. After a visit to a new vet for shots and new flea medicine (oral Pill) she developed a severe skin rash on her belly,then a rash similiar to the hot spot picture you have on your site all around her right side of her face, jaw, ear. It was oozing pus, had a strong odor and continous hair loss in that area. I bathed her everyday with Selson Blue, combing away the debris of skin and hair it was a MESS.......she fully recoverd.

Now, In May, four months later this is returning..a spot on her paw, BUT...some ear drainage it appears has begun this whole phase of hairloss, pus down the side of her head- face again. I am wondering if this is pyoderma, or some skin fungus, and concerned with granchildren being around a contagious situation.She is nine years old and also has developed some benign fatty tumors, I had aspirated.

I realize a vet visit is required for analysis but the one we went to was not pleasant at all. The staff charged me for things we didnt even receive, another story. 350.00 for shots?
Thanks so much for any advice.

My Comment:

Hi

Golden Retrievers has a tendency to develop both skin infections and ear infections.

The area below the ear is extremely common affected. Often the infection can develop from a tiny wound. If it happens during the summer period, this small wound become infected and it can spread so it cover the whole chin within hours.

One reason for these "hot spots" to develop is ear infection and/or irritations. The dogs itching him/her self and causes small damages to the skin. This can be enough for the infection to develop.

Ear infections is extremely common in this breed as well.

At least here in Sweden. Among the GR I see in my practice approx. 60-80% can have ear abnormalities varying from slight irritation to more severe ear inflammations.

All kinds of reasons for this to happen, but I guess that the breed has a genetically tendency to develop this problem.

Sometimes you have to use medication (ear drops), sometimes antibiotic tablets as well.

After treatment it is important to make sure the ear is normal. It is not seldom seen that the tympanic membrane is damages and some infection has entered the middle ear.

For the ear to heal it is important to get rid of this middle ear problem. Often you need to flush the middle ear with saline to clean it properly.

If both the ear problem continues, it is difficult to heal it is most important to check the ear drum.

If the skin infection returns it might be wise to have a culture taken.

And a final thing to consider. This breed has also a tendency to develop hypothyroidism. This disease can also make skin and ear problems more common and is something to think of if it is difficult to treat the infections, despite properly antibiotic treatment.

Also having the age of nine, hypothyroidism is something to have in mind

The ear infection you describe sounds like a staphylococcal infection. They often show up being very very moist.

I think the paw infection can arise if she is itching the ear.

Ear infections might be difficult to treat yourself but omega 3 supplements can sometimes be beneficial in avoid the skin infections in general.

All the best

Per Schonbeck