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Maltese with possible fungle infection

I have a 4 year old maltese that has had a rash for several months on her stomach.  I took her to the vet when it had started she thought it was a fungal infection and given her a steriod injection and malaseb shampoo.  It still continues and she is constanlty licking her stomach.  It looks like white blisters then pops into a circle, not crusty her whole belly is red.  She licks her paws and anus as well, any suggestions.  I feed her parina dog food not sure if this is food related? She is up to date with all her vaccines.  She is not a typical maltese she does not have alot of hair and in general her skin is slightly pink to begin with. She weighs about 10lbs.  
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305217 tn?1218302308
Hi,
I don't have doggies your size, but from what I looked up about the fish oil for dogs online, and their dosages, I would just give her 1 human Omega-3 fish oil cap a day, 1000mgs. You can split in 2 doses & squeeze half a cap into each meal if you want. The human doses have less of the EPA & DHA than the dog versions. Then after 1 month I would increase to 2 caps a day. This is the recommended dose for doggies under 30lbs.  Let it get into her system, and get used to it. Too much at first can give her the poops. You can also buy it in liquid form, which might be easier for you. Just add to her food, as the capsules are quite large, not easy to swallow sometimes. In liquid form I would put 1 teaspoon into meal. Then increase to 2 after 1 month.
There is much info online about the omega3 fish oil, for canines and humans. Giving too much of it is really quite hard to do, unless of course you down a whole bottle everyday, lol....it's not getting enough of it to do anything and offset the omega6, which humans/dogs usually get way too much. that is the problem. And the Omega-3 fish oil is very inexpensive at Walmart and such as compared to drug store.
It is also proven to help w/ many other things, kidney's, heart, depressions/anxieties, etc.. Because it is only in fish, which most don't eat enough of, many don't get near enough if any. Many cultures that have certain fish in their diet everyday have far less health/skin problems than most others.

I was  using the human form at half the human dose for my boys and found when I went to the doggie dermatologist that it was way too low a dose, wasn't really doing anything for them at their weight.
And just get the OMEGA -3 fish oil, not the Omega -6 oil added, as there is usually omega -6 already in commercial dog foods, sometimes too much omega -6. And not enough or any Omega 3 to offset the omega 6. These are what are called "fatty acids".

There are plenty of things you can try and do for your baby concerning the skin issue, yes, prescription meds are best for these, but until you can afford to go to a vet there are many, shampoos, rinses, OTC creams/ointments available to buy now that were once Rx only.
Look up "Oxydex" made by DVM Pharma, it is an anti-biotic gel for dogs, just like Neosporin for people, for the irritated areas on the skin, it costs about $8 a tube, which would go far w/ your size pup. it is helpful w/ pyodermas, folliculitis, etc.. of the skin. it also comes in a shampoo. Many online pet stores and Amazon carry these.
DVM pharma, a division of IVX Animal Health has many shampoos/rinses/cream/ointments for these conditions on canines. Many times vets give you this same stuff, and charge a lot more than you would pay ordering yourself online. My doggie dermatologist offered me many of the same things I already had or knew of. And said the DVM products are very useful for these situations. It is still going to cost you some money but much less than a vet visit right now if you can't afford it. As long as you follow the directions on the product, some have to be left on for 10-20 minutes then rinsed, others left on till dry, some rinsed immediately, and so forth.
If you look up IVX Animal Health's website, it will give an explanation of all their products and what & how to use for.
You can just google "treatments for canine skin problems" or for pyoderma's, allergies, etc. These products will come up. "Chlorhexiderm" is also another shampoo made by them, along with the Malaseb, Oxydex, so forth.
The Chlorhexiderm or Oxydex shampoos may be best for you to use first with the possible pyoderma's.
Of course you have to watch for any reactions your pup may have to these products. But they are much safer than many of the old fashioned flea shampoos and dips that were just filled w/ awful chemicals. Any shampoo or food can cause a reaction in dogs/people.
I hope your baby feels better soon.
Take care, Teresa ; )
Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
MaryBeth...no one can tell you if your dog has a staph infection or not except a vet.  We can say "it sounds like this or that"...but we are just guessing.  You can't always tell from some internet pictures.

I've had a dog with chronic staph, and it requires long term antibiotics prescribed by a vet, plus a special prescription shampoo is helpful for it.  It can take a long time to go away, and it may always be a recurring problem.

If you feel that your vet doesn't have much to offer, do take the dog to another vet for furthur treatment.  Try calling your local Humane Society.  Many have on site clinics for the general public that are much less expensive than a private vet.  They also can tell you where the lower cost vet care can be found.
If there is a vet school in your area (usually associated with a university setting, you can google this easily), they too provide great care at lower prices.  And there are specialists galore there.
If you have the money, a private veterinary dermatologist might be a good idea.

You can go to w w w dot carecredit dot c o m (remove spaces and use a . for "dot") and find out how to apply for credit that is only used for veterinary care.

Many clinics will also let you make payments, and some have on site financing.

Good luck,
Peek
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I looked at that site you recommended, it may well be a staph infection.  the only thing is i really cant afford to take her to another vet.  Can I try these over the counter meds first.  
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Avatar universal
thank you so much for the advice.  How much do I give her she weighs 10lbs?  Mary Beth
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305217 tn?1218302308
Also you can start adding fish oil capsules to her diet. You can just give her the capsule w/ peanut butter, etc.. if she's good with pills, or squeeze it out into her food.
The fish oil is very good for skin and internal things. It helps w/ the inflammation/itchies of allergies, skin issues etc.. it takes a bit to get into the system, like any vitamin but it is helpful.
Helpful - 0
305217 tn?1218302308
Hi,
sounds like it could be a staph pyoderma infection of the skin. you can google this and also look at the site " dogandhorsecare.com/staph-infection" it will show a photo of it. Or just google "photo's of canine staph or skin infections on belly area".

I had to take one of my boys to a doggie dermatologist, he has severe allergies and also had some yeast and staph infections on his skin, especially belly/underarm/thigh areas. he had to take oral anti fungal and anti bacterial meds for a bit. plus the shampooing, etc..
A steroid shot isn't going to help this, and all the shampoo is going to do at this point is give a little relief. You have to get it under control first.

Look in your phone books or call around to vets for a doggie dermatologist, they really are the best for this type situation.
Hope your baby feels better soon !
Take care ; )
Helpful - 0
514916 tn?1224518087
Also, the name: "Jaybay" its got a purple asterisk beside her name, shes the community team leader, she can also help w/locating correct forum and advice. There are a lot of Maltese owner's members, I am sure that can advise you also...Keep trying, I know its hard to learn the thread on website, but once you catch on, I think you can find you way around...
Helpful - 0
514916 tn?1224518087
I am not a great literate of computer either...LOL
Try to look up at the top of screen,,,it says:
Home, Forums, Doctors
In the doctor section: Look for vet and its Dr. Cheng
Or: look on the right side of the page, its says: Related Expert Forums
Underneath "Ask a Vet (Pet Health) real small box under the Community Members square pictures boxes...
Let me know if you found...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I cant get it to vet forum dont know why its not going!!!!! I'm clicking on ask a vet!!!

So so sorry for multiple posts
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Avatar universal
hi, I just reposted this question and thought it went to the vet forum but went here insteasd. whoops.  I'll try again.  Thanks for your help.  Mary Beth
Helpful - 0
514916 tn?1224518087
Welcome to the dog forum, there are very great and informative people here w/good advice and suggestions, but, also, look over to the right and scroll down to small box, that say "ask a vet" Dr. Cheng, repost your questions there too, they have really good answers to hard questions...
Also, try a 2nd opinion from another vet, vets have been know to misdiagnosis, for they are human....Your Maltese sounds fragile, and too much irritation too long, can get infected and cause your dog way too much stress, dogs carrying too much stress can get a whole other set of serious medical conditions...
Most of luck to you and your little friend...
Helpful - 0
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