18 replies to this topic

[PattyHill]

I was looking for something else and came across your post. I actually have a Westie with similar issues. I just wanted to mention that he had terrible allergies when he was a small pup and I took him to appointment after appointment. I don't have all the answers, but I honestly believe that he was highly allergic to the flea meds that I was giving him. I switched to a different brand and he really improved. My vet claimed it couldn't be that, but after I changed he improved so much. Yours could be quite a different story, but it's worth a try. Also, they have a shampoo and oil called Malaseb that is very helpful. --Patty

[Oliver's Mom]

PattyHill, what brand of flea med's were you using?

I feel like his problems are much more likely to be food related or possibly atopy. Since we live in an apartment unfortunately there is not much we can do about the carpet that is in here if it is because of a contact allergy (he lays on the carpet more than anything). I do have to say that it seems like his itching has progressed and his skin is much more dry and flaky than before. I feel terrible for him but I also feel bad switching his food again. If I had one wish, Oliver would be able to talk for two minutes so he could tell me how he's feeling.

[ginnyaiken]

Oliver's Mom, my Cairn girl, Gidget, had this same thing happen shortly after we got her. In her case, it happened as a result of the vet prescribing prednisone. It caused a medication-induced form of Cushing's disease. Has your little guy been prescribed prednisone for the itching or the bumps? That could be the cause of the dark pigment on the skin. With Gidget, the color faded in about 6 weeks to 2 months after she stopped taking the prednisone.

[Oliver's Mom]

ginnyaiken, on 29 March 2010 - 07:03 PM, said:

Oliver's Mom, my Cairn girl, Gidget, had this same thing happen shortly after we got her. In her case, it happened as a result of the vet prescribing prednisone. It caused a medication-induced form of Cushing's disease. Has your little guy been prescribed prednisone for the itching or the bumps? That could be the cause of the dark pigment on the skin. With Gidget, the color faded in about 6 weeks to 2 months after she stopped taking the prednisone.

I know he was on amoxicillan and an antihistamine (at different times) when we first brought him home because of itchy skin and after his neutering. I am going nuts over this...and taking people down with me The one thing I have not tried is switching his food, and I am thinking that is going to happen soon. I might try a grain/wheat free food because he has been eating food with oatmeal, barley, etc in it so maybe that's the problem. Who knows? Speaking of, does anyone know of a good grain/wheat free food that is not too "rich"? I had him on Evo for a very short period because his coat got really oily and his eyes were watering profusely as son as we switched that all stopped.

Thanks everyone!!