Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

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PariahPoet
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Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by PariahPoet »

Hey guys, do we have any vets among our ranks?
I just adopted a little girl a bit over a month ago and she has a rash on her mouth. It doesn't seem to be hurting her but I don't want to let it go. I have been trying to get a job for months and nobody will hire me, so finances are really tight and I cant afford $50 just to walk in and hear that she's fine. It would be immensely helpful if somebody could take a look at some pictures I took and tell me if this warrants a vet visit or not... :/

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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by Set »

Insert disclaimer: I'm not a vet.

Is it just on her mouth, or are there red patches elsewhere?

A rash could be a sign she has allergies. If it was more widespread I would be worried, because red skin can also be a sign of Cushing's disease. We had to get out Chihuahua tested for it, since our vet was worried about his itchy, constantly red skin. (He doesn't have it, fortunately. Just food allergies.)
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by Sheba »

I'm not a vet ether.
I worked as a vet tech for 2 years.

If she is eating out of a bowl with a ruff surface it can cause rashes around the mouth.
Try a metal bowl.

There are 4 major causes for skin allergies. Food, grass, pollen, and fleas.
If it is allergies try Benadryl.
Administer up to 1 mg/lb every 8 hours (or 3 times a day -- tid). So if you have a 20 lb. dog, it's 20 mg of diphenhydramine.
I give Benadryl to my dog everything he goes swimming. Something in the water makes him break out in a rash every time but Benadrly clears it up.

If the rash gets worst and spreads call your vet.
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by PariahPoet »

Thanks for the advice guys. ^^ I always tend to worry about the worst-case scenario.

Thankfully it's just that one little spot on her lip. She has a ceramic bowl, so I don't think that's it, but she does spend most of her day in the back yard, so I suppose there are tons of allergens out there.

Good to know that benedryl is safe for doggies. I have a pharmacy tech license, so I'm pretty confident measuring and administering the meds now that I know the dosage. She is 12 pounds, so that works out to a bit less than half a capsule. How long Should I wait to see improvement?

I just don't want to wait too very long if it's something other than allergies. If it doesn't help I'll borrow money or sell some stuff so I can take her in to the vet. She's my family so I don't want to gamble with her health, but I really hope it is just an allergy that I can fix with medicine or a change in diet or environment.
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by Sheba »

Give it over the weekend for the Benedryl to work.
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by PariahPoet »

Ok, will do. Thanks!
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by Sheba »

np :D
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by RedEye »

One thing to keep in mind: Benadryl may make her sleepy. That's what happens when I have to dose our Husky with it when she gets into something she shouldn't and breaks out.
Of all things, she has a seeming allergy to fish, since feeding her fish anything gives her the burbles and trots.
Ah well, Fea' isn't the usual Husky anyhow, so I'm not all that surprised.

Best wishes with your little girl, and may the two of you have many happy years together.
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Re: Is there a (doggy) doctor in the house?

Post by PariahPoet »

Thanks for the advice and kind wishes RedEye! :)
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