Just because the breeder's other litters didn't show signs of allergies doesn't mean yours won't have an allergy to the corn. Dogs like people are individuals and allergies aren't necessarily genetically passed along. But as someone mentioned, a lot of allergies are environmental. But it is important to "test" to find out - make detailed notes on when the hot spots become most irritating; is it right after the dog has been outside after a rain where soil molds become an issue; are there certain blankets or crate pads that cause an issue; and don't forget to run a food test eliminating corn, as it might not be the corn but some other ingredient.
Under My Paw?
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For the past few days Chance's appetite hasn't been the same. He hasn't wanted to eat his meals. We haven't really given it much thought until tonight. This evening we noticed Chance licking his rear paw obsessively and when we took him to the bathroom to get a closer look we noticed something imbeded in his paw. From the looks of it, it appeared to be a tick. It was imbeded right between his paw and there was blood mixed with puss coming out. I cleaned it with some witchhazel and took some tweezers and carefully removed the tick. The poor guy was in so much pain and discomfort! After I removed the entire tick we realized it was dead and had to have been dead for a few days. It was all dried up under the skin. I pulled it apart and it was obviously dead.
Alex is concerned that maybe Chance may be sick from the tick. Is it possible he may have Lime Disease? We don't use a topical flea/tick treatment.
I've googled lime disease and they talk about joint pain and dogs becoming lethargic. I don't want to wait till its too late. Any advice please. I don't need another 300.00 vet bill.
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Did you keep the tick so that you can show your vet? If you still have the tick, check out pictures on internet and see if it is a deer tick. I don't use topical stuff either because my vet told me that the only 100% defense is to thoroughly check your dog. She said that there are dogs in her practice that were on topical treatments that still got Lyme.
I went to a presentation by our state's expert on Lyme Disease about 2 months ago and the woman said that you only have about 48hrs to get the tick off a person or animal before it can burrow itself in enough to bite and spread lyme disease.
Didn't Captain Jack's owner Kira say that Jack had had lyme disease. Maybe you could contact her if she doesn't post in this thread.
If it were me, I'd take him to the vet and have the test run. The treatment goes better the sooner it is caught. I think it is about $70 here in the Northeast.
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I sure hope he is better soon. Please keep us informed.
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Take the dog and the tick to the vet - today.
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Talk to your vet, there is a tick panel they can run for the various tick borne illnesses like Erlichia and Lymes. It is a blood draw, results back by the next day. Also, with the presence of puss, I would also see if a course of antibiotics may be in order for infection.
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is chance neutered? my boys (even the neutered one) tend to go off thier food this time of year.
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If there is a chance that this could be tick related, I would be off to the Vet… it can be really nasty if LYMES or another tick borne problem. Seeing that you found a tick on him, there is a very good chance that there could be a problem... and as lvoss said, if nothing else, treatment for the infection...
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We threw the tick out last night (if it was a tick) like I said, when I pulled it out of his paw it was dead so I have no idea how long it was under his skin. I'll be giving the vet a call and taking him in to have him looked at.
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We threw the tick out last night (if it was a tick) like I said, when I pulled it out of his paw it was dead so I have no idea how long it was under his skin. I'll be giving the vet a call and taking him in to have him looked at.
Lets us know how he is????
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Paws crossed for Chance. I hope he'll be OK.
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How is Chance doing?
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He is doing much better, but I am taking him to the vet today just to make sure.
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UPDATE
We took Chance to the vet last night and the vet was able to get a closer look at his paw. She believed it was a tick that we removed and saw an infection. She advised us to soak his paw in a warm bath of epsom salt w/ water for a few days and she perscribed an oral antibiotic which should help.
Other than that we decided against having a blood panel taken since it takes up to 3 weeks for results. I think this should clear it up but if he gets any worse well be taking him back into the vet for further treatment. -
UPDATE
We took Chance to the vet last night and the vet was able to get a closer look at his paw. She believed it was a tick that we removed and saw an infection. She advised us to soak his paw in a warm bath of epsom salt w/ water for a few days and she perscribed an oral antibiotic which should help.
Other than that we decided against having a blood panel taken since it takes up to 3 weeks for results. I think this should clear it up but if he gets any worse well be taking him back into the vet for further treatment.But if it is a tick borne disease that he now has, isn't it a whole different set of antibiotics that would be used? And can't those last for their lifetime? Or am I getting this confused with Valley Fever?
I guess my real question is, can't a tick borne disease be present along with the infection in the paw, both needing to be treated in different manners?
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Im not sure.
The vet just didn't think giving Chance an injection for the tick was a good idea. She felt that he would be fine since he wasn't lethargic she thinks a simple treatment with antibiotic and soaking his paw in epsom salt should clear up the infection.
But like I said, were keeping a close eye on him and if any change in his behavior occurs were going back -
Im not sure.
The vet just didn't think giving Chance an injection for the tick was a good idea. She felt that he would be fine since he wasn't lethargic she thinks a simple treatment with antibiotic and soaking his paw in epsom salt should clear up the infection.
But like I said, were keeping a close eye on him and if any change in his behavior occurs were going backSounds like good news for Chance!
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Good news, lets hope this is the end of it.
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OK - stupid question here…Where do you suppose Chance got the tick? I worry about this all the time when we're up-north in Michigan. We have "deer ticks" that carry the "lyme disease". Are there other types of ticks and/or do all ticks carry Lyme? I do, however, put Frontline on both when we go up north. I don't use it otherwise on a monthly basis, because we only go up twice a year. Should I guard year round? Ohhh - I'm with you both for Chance - My hopes are that he has a great immunity for that tick.
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hmmm, soaking little basenji toes in salty water. good luck with that.
glad he's feeling better though.
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hmmm, soaking little basenji toes in salty water. good luck with that.
glad he's feeling better though.
I also had the same thought. It's always been a huge struggle for me to rinse off Duke and Daisy's muddy feet in a bowl of water (usually in spring from snow melt). Would appreciate knowing how you and Chance do it.
