Ugh the frustration of feeling helpless in helping my dog is getting to me...

Ok my dog has serious allergies, mostly with his skin. I've posted on here about him many time. Well I've never had tests because they are at least $700 minimum upfront. Over two years we have spent more than that in vet bills, meds, tests and shots but allergy testing requires a specialist an hour away. I have a Gofundme account for him even!! I hate asking for help or money but with Rosco I am desperate. I've raised $190 out of the $1200 I want to raise. Well I posted an update of his out break with pics and they deleted the pics calling them graphic!!!! I was so upset because it's far from graphic and it's reality. THIS is why I am asking for help and his arms and other parts of his body get like this. I want people to see how bad it really is. It brought me to tears when I saw that. It wasn't bloody it was just his reaction to whatever his allergies truly are.

I spent an hour plus this afternoon calling and looking online for places that might be able to help. I either don't qualify or they don't help with testing for allergies. It's been so frustrating I broke out in tears. I know it sounds silly to some because he is a dog but Rosco was my rock while pregnant. I was alone, literally. No family near me and my husband was overseas. Rosco was by my side every day all day and he still is! He goes where I go. He made me feel happy when I was miserable. It hurts my heart I can't help him because I can sense his pain and can see it in his eyes. I'm empathic so being around him is overwhelming but I do all I can to help him.

This isn't really a rant it's more of a vent. How can I get people to help or even consider if I can't show his condition? I see people asking for boob jobs, iphones and honeymoons on there. I want to help my family member of the furry kind. I'm desperate and I'm going to continue my search tomorrow for possible organizations that can help. I may make a video and make it viral my own way. The two years and three months I've had him were not always easy and I tried to get rid of him in the beginning but deep down I couldn't. I knew nobody would help him like I could or would want to and try. He was in a shelter and probably always was because of his issues. His medical issues are nothing because his personality is the best and my son loves him. He looks for him first thing in the morning and gets excited when he sees him.....

I don't know I just want to help him. Sometimes I wish I had millions so I could help the needy of the human and animal kind. I called the specialist and they don't take payment options and suggested a CREDIT CARD for pets. I was denied of course but I tried. I remember when doctors did do payments because it was about the patient be it human or not. Now a days it's about the money because before any doctor asks me what's wrong it's "I need your insurance and co payment." I don't get that with Rosco obviously but it's all docs it seems. Rosco's regular vet is amazing and so nice. He has done more for Rosco than any vet he's been to. He is so helpful and we have tried everything within his capability. This specialist has access to treatment our vet does not that our vet thinks would be very helpful for Rosco.

I just want to get him tested so badly so he can be a dog. He doesn't play anymore like he use to. He always has to stop and itch or chew. He tries to play. He will grab his toy and we try and play but he ends up in my lap warm and wanting me to soothe this pain. He is in a cone right now and has an aloe spray on his problems spots. I have ointment I put on multiple times a day that relives some of the discomfort but that's it. I have been up three nights well mornings in a row at 4am attending to Rosco. I tried putting baby socks on his back paws so he couldn't scratch his underbelly so badly. I had my ice pack for my neck from my chiropractor on him to cool him down. It helps and he just sits there with it but it's not a fox or even a remedy.


Anyways sorry so long I'm just emotional because I feel helpless.


arm pits


Paws




We are giving im a shot tomorrow and I'm not happy with it but right now he needs something until he gets to go to the specialist. It works but when it's out of his system it makes him worse, it's like withdrawl. I've been in years a lot the last week over him because it's just getting worse


Thanks for listening to me cry ramble about my dog.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

That's really sad.
I have a dachshund with similar problems. I am really just starting to notice how much they are affecting her and have been doing a bit of research. Though her problem isn't as severe (yet) it seems to be getting worse and with all the scratching she does, I am sure there will eventually be hair loss.

A lot of people say that many dogs are allergic to fleas and that can be the issue, coupled with skin infections that result from the flea allergy (from what I understand)...

A question....what kind of diet is Rosco on? I asked because I have noticed similar allergies people have reported (while trying to figure out how to help my dog) and it seems that a common allergy that many don't know about is beef.

I hope you figure this out and can get Rosco to feeling better soon....for the both of you.

ETA: What breed is Rosco?

Hey there. I work with dogs and while I am not a vet, I can tell you a few things. Let me know what kind of food he is eating and we can start there. Most big name dog foods are chock full of corn and the like and dogs just can not stomach corn.

I have seen many many dogs' skin clear right up just by changing diet. You can get me via PM if that is easier.

Maybe your dog is allergic to phenyls like phenylalanine. PKU. Try changing the food he eats. This can effect the skin if he can't properly excrete the chemical. It could also be an ammonia issue where he can't secrete it and it builds up in his blood. Increase the secretion of uric acid. Maybe he does not metabolize nitrogen compounds properly and they could build up in his body too. Oh yeah, that is the same as the Ammonia issue.

Basically he could have acidosis, either hereditary or diet induced. Reducing his exposure to certain foods will help.

I have no idea how to do this with a dog, in fact I am only now studying these metabolic issues in humans and trying to figure out how to identify them and alter the diet.

Now that you've added pictures, is the stuff around his feet ever a bit scaly and/or yellowish in color?

a reply to: Jakal26

Hello and thanks for your reply.

He is on an holistic food brand. All vets have said his issues are not food related but I'm still very picky with what he eats. I make him all organic treats because not knowing what his triggers are i stick with what foods dogs will allergies are on. Both vets looked at the ingredients and said it was fine but who knows the specialist may recommend something else and that is fine. We can handle meds and food it's this insane upfront bill to get him tested.

Rosco is a Pekingese corgi. When the vets have met him they always say, "oh wow poor boy he gets it from both breeds." I never knew all of this and honestly if I had I probably wouldn't have picked him but in many ways I feel he was meant to be mine so I'm going to do all I can to help him.

Rosco is allergic to fleas and takes meds. No test was done but one bites makes him
nuts and he has a huge hot spot. He takes meds for that and it helps.

Thanks for all replies. I'm not as teary as I was when I made this. I haven never had my own dog so
He is extra special.

Have you considered social media? I know that it is something of a bad thing here on ATS but have recently discussed this with a friend who is fostering a dog for similar reasons?

The dog needs around £2500 which is more than can be raised but with a wide reach every penny counts?

a reply to: Excallibacca

Thank you but it's not his food. All vets have approved his food because there are no fillers,
It's got no corn and is gain free and egg free. He is on Earthborn Holistic coastal catch. Food allergies were the only thing the people I got him from mentioed. I worked at a grooming shop as a bather/groomer and learned a lot about skin conditions and how to treat them in the mean time and i learned about foods. I always say I had that job strictly so I could deal with Rosco and I got him a month before I left. I learned a lot there and it has all helped me deal
him and comfort him. I picked this brand because one customer had a dog that was a hot mess, horrible coat and bald spots. Three months later I didn't recognize the dog AT all! Her coat was gorgeous and shiny. She was a different dog. It did help alot with Rosco's issues im the beginning but it did help. It's hard to find because commercial pet stores do not carry it. I get it from a dog boutique/grooming shop. My cat also eats the good stuff and it's also not sold in chain type
stores. I was surprised they carried it because I met the rep when I worked at the grooming shop
And she said they are selective with who they sell to. It's good food for
both of them. No stinky breathe or bad poo and when he has hair it's super shiny and soft.

We were told, without any real tests he has yeast dermatitis, ectopic dermatitis, flea allergies, pollen and lovely grass allergies!

originally posted by: Excallibacca
Now that you've added pictures, is the stuff around his feet ever a bit scaly and/or yellowish in color?

Nope just red and inflamed.

The arm pic makes it look like
Blood because the aloe turned purple!

originally posted by: nonspecific
Have you considered social media? I know that it is something of a bad thing here on ATS but have recently discussed this with a friend who is fostering a dog for similar reasons?

The dog needs around £2500 which is more than can be raised but with a wide reach every penny counts?

I'm all over social media with it. I've had many generously help. I am going to make a video or maybe a slideshow of our story and send it to as many news places and animal places I can. I have so many pics documenting his outbreaks and each one KSC different so we need to know the triggers!

Thank you!


Sorry if I'm not replying fast. I'm on my iPhone and meds for my IC and a procedure I had done last week so I'm a bit slower than usual.

Here he is last night with daddy getting a cold compress to chill
down. It does help!


He iS so sweet. If you came to our home he would great you with kisses then a bear telling you to play with him. He's i sweet.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

He could still be allergic to something in the food,
even if it is something healthy.
Our neighbor's dogs had all kinds of problems,
& they started making their own dog food.
Chubs of ground turkey are $1 at our Save-A-Lot store.
He also buys boneless skinless chicken breast when it's cheap.
Cooks the meat slowly & adds rice & different frozen vegetables,
makes a gravy with it too, but don't add wheat flour,
the grains can cause lots of problems too!

He makes enough for a week at a time & freezes the extra.
The dogs have been good ever since!

Our dentist told us about CareCredit, when our insurance changed,
& started covering less of our bills.
It's available for dental, all kinds of veterinary, meds, routine & emergency care...
It's a high interest rate, but they run specials with no interest if paid in 12-18 months time.

It's, www.carecredit.com...
1-877-293-0766.
Hope this helps!
WOQ

I had to keep a bottle of benadryl around for my two Boston Terriers. Regular human benadryl (store brand pills 20mg-ish) for when allergies would hit.
My heart goes out to you. I know how expensive the vet bills get. My little idiot true to eat a wasp and had to be rushed to the emergency vet. He recovered after 2.5 days. $3500. The vet felt bad since my ex and I had just had our first child, so they cut us a deal and threw a biopsy in for free when they knocked out the old man later that year to remove four of his front teeth that had cracked. $1000.

a reply to: wasobservingquietly

I was denied care credit


Oh I agree it still could be something in his food but we still want full testing with the other issues he has that are not related food allergies. My vet today even said the specialist well dermatologist might recommend a different food and I don't mind that at all. I just him to be himself.

Thank you!

a reply to: the owlbear

Awe wow poor thing that's horrible and pricey! Rosco had a bad UTI out of nowhere one night and i ended up wake my son up who was around 1 at the time, 18 mths now, and pack him up and drive 25 mins to the vet at 11pm. We were there almost 3 hours and it cost $300. I had to call my husband overseas and get his credit card number and I was like 4 am where he is!! It was horrible. I can only imagine a bill as high as yours. Sounds like you have a great bet too!

As for Benadryl he can't take it. It makes him sick and shake which is realllly odd because I can't take it for the same reasons. My husband says we are a perfect match with all our issues. It's funny to think about but he's my best friend.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

It totally breaks my heart that you and your friend are still going through this. I remember posting before to you over this issue.Now I'll see if I can offer anything further to help you.

First off,for all reading this that have companions,you need to get vet insurance BEFORE something happens to your friend,then they won't cover anything they think is related to it.

Second,if you have a face book page,though embarrassing,reach out to those that know you.Let them know your plight.I have many friends on there that are lovers of companions and would help if I but asked.If you don't have a face book page,maybe you should make one and get help.

Third,I would go to this page and follow the advice there. Please all that have companion animals,book mark this just in case it ever should happen that you can't afford your friends care. I hope this will help in some small way for you.

www.aspca.org...

Mblahn...I am so sorry to hear that Roscoe still has itching problems. So does our Joe, with spots that look just like the ones in your pics. We've been down a similar road, trying the same things. For the past year, he's eaten only 2-ingredient (Venison and brown rice) dog food and sleeps/lies only on blankets washed with allergy-free, scent-free detergent. We tried a duck and rice recipe, too. Still, it's lick, lick, lick and chew, chew, chew -- mostly on his paws and crotch area. He has a horrid raw spot on his neck from scratching it, and we apply pure aloe to it. The spot gets better and then reappears. The vet's latest answer is Prednisone. When I questioned it, he told me that I was being alarmist. Arrgh.

I'll continue to monitor this thread and share any new discoveries. My latest suspicion is that it's something in the water. 'So many dogs are suffering with similar symptoms. Welcome back, BTW. Missed you.

Search for Nu-Stock on the web. It's a salve for animal skin conditions. Smells bad but works great. Have used it on my dog.

a reply to: graceunderpressure

When my Sheltie did that,he had chronic staph infections. Had to go on shots till he built up an immunity to it.

I previously had a dog with skin conditions and bad attacks of scratching. In desperation I started to apply zinc and caster oil to his sore wounds and within a week they has cleared up. It was the only thing in my cupboard and had used it on the kids for their rashes. With my dog now I give a tablespoon of coconut oil in his food which he adores. The oil helps with all kinds of problems that dogs get. Try not to stress around your dog about his scratching as he will pick up on it as well. Also remember that central heating with radiators warm up your dog and their fur thinks it is continuing summer due to the temperature so if you can turn down the heat it might help. Hope your dog gets better soon bless him.
I also forgot to mention about bathing his wounds with salt water, it is really soothing for a dog and will sterilize the areas too.