my dog keeps having the same symptoms?

Question

My dog has been prescribed cephalexin & Prednisone for a skin infection and for a bowel infection. She has been to the vet twice and they gave her the same stuff. She is having the same sympotms again and if we take her back, they are going to keep feeding her this crap. Can anyone help

Her anal area is swolen and red and her skin is getting bumps under the fur. When she scratches, it speads and bleeds. She doesnt take a bath everyday but we bathe her often

shes a pit

Answer 1

Two things:
1) Get a different vet
2) because he/she should have suggested switching to a food with less grain. For instance, I think your dog has an allergy to wheat or corn. Get a food that has, say, Lamb and Rice in it instead. You should notice a difference. gradually switch him over. I fed lamb and rice to my dog and she was very healthy until old age finally stood up to her. And she wasn't fat. Many times corn and wheat in their food will cause a dog to increase weight and have skin allergies and digestive problems. Try it. I'll bet that's what it is. May I suggest Innova? My friend swears by it. She had a few dogs with similar problems and none of them have it any more after eating Innova for a few months. I love those dogs!

Answer 2

I honestly would try a diferent vet also I would seriously check into the side affects of these meds on a prolonged time ussage. Also for the skin how often do you bath the dog and what do you use there are medicated sahmpoos for dogs ask a vet about it.
also ask teh vet what is causing the infections that you can try to get rid of.
Good luck but not kowing the whole thing only a vet would be the choice but it isn't being taken care of with the method you've been using. have a serious talk with the vet you are using or get a second opinion
Good Luck

Answer 3

I don't understand why the vet would prescribe prednisone for a skin infection. That is a steroid use to help with muscular support for frail bones or joints. I would think a cortisone based steroid would have been prescribed. I would suggest you find another vet. This one sounds like he is trying to get some money out of you. I'm not sure what kind of infection it is so it's hard to determine what to do about it. Good luck.

Answer 4

Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works.

Cephalexin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as ear, skin, and urinary tract infections.

Did they take a skin scraping to see if they could grow anything? If not, then I would ask them to do that. The doctor seems to be treating it as a bacterial infection. If you aren't happy with the vet, you can ask him for the name of an animal dermatologist or look one up in your yellow pages. A specialist might be able to help you more than your general veterinarian.

Answer 5

I'm not a vet, and I don't know what else it could be, but it really doesn't make any sense that it's Parvo. Considering the fact that she tested negative for it, and also the unlikely idea that she contracted Parvo without having contact with new dogs (who could possibly be unvaccinated) or new places. However, you need to go to the animal hospital where your dog is tomorrow and talk to the veterinarian. If it isn't Parvo, then the vet should know what it is and be treating her for the proper disease or infection. If your vet can't tell you what's wrong with her, or why she apparently does have Parvo yet tested negative for it, then take your dog somewhere else if you want a chance for her to live.

Answer 6

Bathing a dog too often can dry out the skin, eliminating the natural oils they need to keep it healthy and causing itching like you describe.

The dog's anal area is very likely red from dragging it to get relief from the itching. Veterinarians will often give a steroid injection to help the dog find relief from the itching.

The dog may even have allergies to air-borne allergens like pollen. There are specialists who can test the dog, similar to the way ENT's test human allergic conditions.

It is not unusual for dogs suffering the condition you describe to have allergies to certain proteins in their foods.

Keeping the dog's skin cool will go a long way towards relieving their misery. No one likes to see their pet suffer. I would suggest a lamp-shade collar to keep the pooch from biting and licking for now, allowing the agitated area to calm down and heal.

What kind of dog do you have? Some have a predisposition to these kinds of ailments. I've been through the same thing; it's no fun. I wish you luck with the treatment.

God bless you for caring about your pet.

Answer 7

Hello...am not sure what the symptoms are or what the skin infection is ...if you don't like what your vet is doing or don't think it's doing any good, try another vet !?! What has caused these symptoms & then maybe I can help you better, many vets just push too many meds I agree..but I need more info to better help you..please E Mail me if you wish to as well ... my addy is on this profile & my 360 ..Take Care :) Do Not trust in those who say they are vets in Yahoo Answers as a good vet or vet tech would NOT claim it in Yahoo Answers !!

Answer 8

Get her on Colostrum. My pet food delivery girl that is a certified K9 nutritionist swears by this stuff for bowel issues. The skin infection might be do to actually having a yeast infection. It's possible she needs a different antibiotic, just like people the same ones don't work for everyone.

Here is the link to my pet food delivery girl's site, she very into homeopathic remedies.

Answer 9

What kind of dog is this? Could this dog have perianal fistulas starting? If so, the Keflex and Pred will not help it. Take her to another vet for a more complete exam and diagnosis.

Answer 10

I recommend a new vet--you need to get more than one opinion from a vet. Check your local vets out not the one u go to but others and see what they can do for ya.