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need some help with a rescue


Pat W.
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I currently am a foster home for border collie rescue and have a very sweet little boy with me, who we picked up just over a week ago. About mid week I noticed what felt like alot of scabbing on the top of his head and in his collar area. After trimming away the fur I encountered what I can only describe as what is is commonly called Rain Scald in horses. It extends from the top of his head to partially down his neck and under his ears. His ears are drop and very spanielly in appearance they have small sores in the opening of the canal in a few on the leather of the ear, they are also very sensitive. After washing the head and ear (not inside) well with warm water and gentle soap I then used an antiseceptic wash then betadine on the open sores. After all this trauma durning which the poor boy was good as gold I decided to let him relax and be quiet for the rest of the day. This am he is 3 leg lame on his right left hind :rolleyes: . I manipulated the leg, knee, foot and felt the hip but got no reaction from him. He is bright, eating and drinking well. I gave him some puppy aspring and a soft place to spend the day. My thoughts are Lyme disease as a possiblity. Any other opinions? :confused: I will be making a vet appt when I get home from work today.

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Originally posted by P. A. Wellheuser:

After trimming away the fur I encountered what I can only describe as what is is commonly called Rain Scald in horses. It extends from the top of his head to partially down his neck and under his ears. His ears are drop and very spanielly in appearance they have small sores in the opening of the canal in a few on the leather of the ear, they are also very sensitive.

Mange, possibly? :rolleyes: Adolescents and stressed dogs can be really susceptible to demodex, I've heard.

 

Let us know what the vet says - and good for you for taking such good care of the little fellow.

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Ah. My understanding is that (y'all correct me if I'm wrong) basically Rain Rot is a fungus that lives in the dirt, and when it is mixed with water it begins to grow and do its thing. I'll have to think hard to remember what I used to treat it, but it was a type of Anti-Fungal. If you go to your local dog supply store you can probably find some for dogs - my Dad used it to treat this same thing on his dog. It came in a purple bottle, but for the LIFE of me I can't remember what it was...

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Laura - I didn't realize dogs could get Rain Rot :eek: I thought it was just a horse thing. The way I treat it on my horses is to pick off all the little scabs - yecch, I know - and then use a medicated shampoo, like Malaseb. Betadine shampoo works well too.

 

But I've never had a dog get it, so dunno if the above treatment works for them.

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Found it! I've used this to treat Rain Rot on horses and dogs, successfully in the past. Although I would imagine a medicated shampoo would be a fine way to go too.

 

Fungisan

 

As for the limp I would head for the vet! While you're at it, they could probably give recommendation on the skin too!

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Actually the skin stuff could be related to a tick borne ailment - the challenge to their immune system tends to make them susceptible to any number of oppotunistic bugs. Plus, as happened with my Ben who had Lyme, it can make them sort of generally sensitive - wth Ben it was a permanent change. Ben gets a crusty, weepy reaction from head to tail when he gets into something he's sensitive to (the list gets ever longers as he ages, unfortunately).

 

The limp that coincides with the stress of rehoming makes me very suspicious.

 

I think the vet can tell whether it's a fungal or bacterial infection. Whatever they decide, I'd ask for a TBD test. I'd also treat the inflamed skin with oatmeal baths (regular Aveeno) about twice a week until the irritation is under control and stays that way.

 

Good luck!

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I did take Blue to the vet this past Monday. It was decided that he did have some kind of skin fungal thing going on, he also had a strong positive for Lyme disease. They found nothing apparent w/the leg so said it might just be a strain..he is walking normal now. The top of his head is healing up nicely and he is soliciting head/ear rubs to relieve the itchy healing skin.

thank you for all your thoughts and advice

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