Q:
Our 10-year-old lab, Rusty, has dry cracked skin over her
elbows. We realize this is probably because she lays on the
concrete or other hard surfaces, but we can’t seem to get her to
use a blanket. Is there anything we can put on her elbow skin to
help?
Q:
Our 10-year-old lab, Rusty, has dry cracked skin over her elbows. We realize this is probably because she lays on the concrete or other hard surfaces, but we can’t seem to get her to use a blanket. Is there anything we can put on her elbow skin to help?
A:
Rusty is doing exactly what a lot of dogs do; she likes the cool of the concrete surface and stays away from anything padded because it’s too warm and less comfortable to her. The end result is chronic damage to the skin over the so-called pressure points; the elbows and the hocks on her back legs.
There are several products that you can apply to her skin that will help soften the dry callous that has formed. Lanolin works well. Some people use vitamin E oil, putting it directly on the surface of the affected area. But my favorite is a product called Bag Balm. This is a salve that was originally developed for use on the udder of milk cows to prevent their skin from chafing. Lots of people use it as a moisturizer for their own skin. I believe it’s available at many drug stores. It will help Rusty’s dry skin. Try it out and see how you like it.
Q:
Our Yorkshire terrier, Jeb, is 5-years-old. He has a twitching muscle in his forehead that looks almost like it’s keeping a rhythm. He doesn’t always have this twitch, but when he lies down to sleep on the couch I really notice it. Is this a symptom of sometime serious?
A:
It’s hard to say whether or not you should worry about your little guy. A twitch like this could be a benign remnant of some illness that Jeb had earlier, even as a puppy. But it also might be a sign of a deeper neurologic problem that may need some attention. Dogs that show intermittent twitching sometimes develop seizures at a later time. Epilepsy is not uncommon at all and Yorkies are one breed that can suffer from this disorder. Most seizure problems are relatively easy to control, but early diagnosis always makes diagnosis and treatment easier for everyone.
Jeb needs a thorough physical and neurologic examination. His vet should listen carefully to his heart and lungs and palpate his abdomen to check for liver enlargement or other abdominal abnormalities. A blood panel will be needed to check for any metabolic disorders that could also be a cause for his little twitch. All these exams will help rule out any serious problems. Chances are, he’s fine. But a good evaluation will give you and your family some peace-of-mind.
Q:
How can a vet tell if an ear problem is an infection or an allergy? Our cocker, Joe, has had chronic ear problems. He’s been to the vet at least a half dozen times this year and each time, they clean his ears, clip the fur around them, and send us home with some ointment. Seems like we’re going in a circle and Joe will never get better. Any suggestions?
A:
This letter is a great example of a situation where a second opinion could eliminate a lot of frustration. You didn’t say whether or not your vet ran any tests, but there are several diagnostics that can help to determine the nature of Joe’s ear problems. The easiest is to take a swab of the canal and look under the microscope to see if there are bacteria, yeast, or other organisms in his ear. If this is a bacterial infection, a culture and sensitivity test will determine whether the antibiotic he was given was the right choice. There are many different antibiotics that can be used to treat different bacterial types.
If his ear problem is caused by yeast, he’ll need a completely different medication. And by the way, a thorough ear flushing, not just a simple cleaning, is necessary to remove all the debris before starting treatments. Waxy debris traps infection and makes effective treatment almost impossible.
Allergies could also be the root of his ear problems. Your vet probably asked if Joe shows any other symptoms of skin allergies. Does he lick his feet a lot? Does he have itchy skin? Are any of his symptoms seasonal? Allergy treatments are very different from those used for infections.
If his vet hasn’t asked these questions or done any of these tests, you should request another visit, or seek a second opinion from someone else. Most ear problems can be overcome, albeit with persistent and diligent treatment. But it’s important to know the true nature of the problem first. And a few simple tests will help to determine this and get Joe Cocker on a path to healthy and comfortable ears.
