Hi fellow dog owners,

Just wanted some advice/tips to see if anyone has encountered the same problem before. Last night, when I was giving my dog a belly rub, I noticed that his underbelly is red. not rashes - but simply flushed bright red. Am pretty certain it only happened yesterday because the day before, it looked fine.

Upon closer inspection, the area around his ears and under his legs are as well. He isnt behaving anything out of the ordinary. Not in any discomfort or pain - eating and pooping fine. No scratching either! Basically his normal happy self except for the red skin which really isnt normal.

I just took him to the vet - who isnt our normal vet, she just stands in for him every Wednesday. She doesnt have a clue what is wrong with him except to tell me that he is running a temperature and it might be the change in seasons/sudden allergy to his food. She gave him a jab and some antibiotics and gave us an appointment to see our normal vet on Friday.

In the meantime, does anyone have a similar experience? If so, what was the diagnosis? I've tried googling but mostly comes up with skin diseases/rashes which I am guessing it isnt because he isnt scratching.

Am trying not to freak out here but am feeling terribly frustrated. Appreciate any thoughts/feedback.

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Our dog had it too some time in spring - we saw it on the belly where he is all white, but as you describe, he didn't scratch or anything. Before we could make a vet appointment it was gone. It may even have been some skin shining through the white hair as he was shedding a lot off his wintercoat.

I really hope it is temporary! Its been almost 24 hours and nothing's changed. Am just very frustrated when a vet tells you that she doesnt know whats wrong with the dog. Like er...who else am I suppose to ask!?

has he been hanging around late at night with the wrong kinda dog?

that bitch from around the corner maybe

Summerrain, I'm sorry to hear that the vet didn't have a clue - I know how frustrating that is.

I hope that it really is 'just one of those things' that seem to happen to our dogs every now and again. That Oskar seems fine in himself is a good sign.

However... 20 years of living with my mutts has taught me to trust that little voice inside my head. There have been times when, despite no concrete cause for concern, that voice would not shut up - and the voice is usually right.

What does your 'little voice' say? Are you uncomfortable waiting until Friday?

If you are concerned, call the Tierspital. They have a good dermatologist on staff:

http://www.kltmed.uzh.ch/aboutus/Dermatologie.html

Worst case, you spend a bit of money and time for 'nothing'. But I always look it as money very well spent when I get good news.


All paws and dewclaws here crossed for little Oskar.


ETA:

You could also ask the local vet to refer you to ensure you get an appointment promptly. Tell them that you are quite worried; your concerns should be taken seriously. I've asked them to refer me ASAP several times. The local vet shouldn't mind doing that for you - he has learned to trust my 'little voice', too.

Another resource, albeit a bit farther away from you - the Spezialistenklinik in Hunenberg, ZG also has a dermatologist on staff:

http://www.spezialistenklinik.ch/spe...rmatologie.htm

This is where I usually go for emergencies/critical care, as it is closer to me than the Tierspital. I've not seen the dermatologist, but have seen several of the other specialists on staff and have been very happy with the care given.

Thanks MC - most helpful as usual. I am trying to ascertain whether my little voice is of paranoia or gut. Its hard!

In the meantime, if anyone's got the same experience with their pet, would be great to know.

You mentioned the following:

• Little Oskar isn't experiencing any sort of discomfort.
• He has a temperature
• He has had an antibiotic jab
• "Food in - Poop out" function is working perfectly
• I assume he hasn't been hanging with the bitch from round the corner.

From an "outside the box" perspective, I'd say to give it a few days.

No itching or obvious pattern to the skin indicates it's not likely to be a disease, or mite infestation etc.

He has a temperature which will draw blood to the surface of the skin - helping expose the 'red' colour.

Temperatures are most likely from over-exercise or illness.



So,
If he hasn't been over excercised and isn't displaying any sickness (and has had an antibiotic jab if he has something in it's early stages) he should be fine.

Is it possible that he has been exercising outside in the colder conditions before being taken inside to the much warmer comfort of your home where you noticed the redness?

If so, I could speculate that the change in skin colour could be a result of this, but I would equally assume the normal colour to return once the skin temperature increases to equilibrium........ but you would notice this.


If the little man is in no pain, or show's no fuss, I say leave it a day or two and pay close attention to where the skin is softest (near the ears, belly, between the hind legs etc).

That is so frustrating when you take your dog to the vet and they can't tell you anything! I had a similar experience where my dog started acting like he couldn't walk on his back legs, falling over, and all. WHen I took him in they said he had a temp, kept him over night, did tests, and never did tell me what was wrong, and of course all of this was a huge bill I know google is very unhelpful in these situations too. All in all, I suppose you have it sorted now, but if he is not terribly lethargic, or vomiting it seems like it really is a waiting game. Also I suggest taking the name for the dermatologist that was recommended to you. My Aunt's dog started smelling terribly and it turned out she had developed an allergy to her food. The poor thing. Maybe just be dry and cold and in need of a warm lotion massage Good luck! Let us know what the end result is!

How's Oskar, SR?

Had a thought - has he recently been given any anti-parasite products (topical or otherwise), or is he on any medication?

Hope the little guy has a good night.

No - he was just given a jab (cortizone - I cant spell) and Metacam which I have to give him tomorrow morning with food before we were sent our way.

I have spoken to the tierspital folks at the dermatologie department. The girl was most helpful and recommended that I let the injection take effect and see how it goes tomorrow. I think the "I dont know whats wrong with your dog" comment really threw me and made me more anxious. Note to self: must.remain.calm

Glad you've spoken to the Tierspital, and that they were able to reassure you.

Hope you both get a good night's sleep.



(Paws still crossed, thumbs pressed.)

Thinking of the little guy today, hope he is doing OK...

Yes, I hate it too. Our lab stopped wagging his tail. We had no idea why, we can only assume he stood up funny and hurt himself. He is an old dog with bad legs. When we took him to the vet, the vet asked us in front of everyone in the waiting room 'What have you done to him?' I was appalled that he indicated that we were responsible. His wife then intervened as she saw our reaction and reminded her husband that we have two dogs and we know what we are doing

Since that we have not been to the vets. We are looking for a vet further afield.

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The best way to save water is to bathe together

I cannot even believe the nerve!!! The kind of people that would hurt their pets on purpose I am sure would not go rushing into the vets. How ridiculous!! I would definitely not go back to a vet that acted that way.

Just wondering how your Best Friend is doing?

Wow....... I have never heard of "Münchausen by proxy syndrome" extending to the animal world !!!

I know that these sicko's hurt kids to gain their own attention........ but I would imagine the only attention you'd get here is a whopping great Vet bill in the mail.


Darkhorsedrea, I think you are right to get another vet. I can't imagine how humiliating that must have been.
......... yet, on the other hand....... It sickens me to think that the Vet must have some basis for accussing you.
(obviously not you, but other clients)

People who hurt animals are twisted individuals.

(Heading OT for a moment...)

Actually a few cases have cropped up now and again. It's thought that the 'animal hoarding' mental illness is connected. Very sad.

Back on topic...

Yeah highly embarassing.

To be honest he wasn't a particular nice creature from the onset. When the dogs arrived and went for check up's etc he laboured the point of how I should be treating (as in giving her treats) whilst at the vet to make sure it was a nice experience for her. Whilst I appreciate he was trying to reassure our dogs that it was ok they were already pretty happy to be there. He was truly patronising, especially as we have one dog of 10 and I've had our youngest from 8 weeks and completed her Kennel club good citizens etc.

I won't even take Bella to get spayed, I just don't trust him. So the search continues for a vet close by. We met a vet in Germany who is great but a bit far for ops.

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The best way to save water is to bathe together

Hi,

I had a similar case with one of our dogs and it turned out to be duck mite (puces de canard) which they can get from going into infested water such as a lake or even a puddle! It is very difficult to see the mites with the naked eye. The vet gave an anti-biotic injection and also some ointment to rub into the skin on the dog's tummy and he was soon better. The rash was bright red like a load of tiny spots.

Hope that the rash clears up soon.