Jack Russell Skin Problems

explain7

Hello everyone,

I have a Jack Russell Terrier and he’s 4 years old.

Recently he’s been suffering with possible skin allergies. I say possible as I’m not entirely sure that’s the issue. 

I took him to the vet in early October and was prescribed antibiotics (noroclav), apoquel and a medicated wash but nothing seems to be working. He’s finished all the medication and we have been washing his paws every two days but his condition hasn’t changed.

We’ve tried eliminating certain foods, sticking only to dog food, wiping his paws, watching where he walks, putting socks on, adding salmon oil to his diet, using antiseptic spray, wound ointment etc. 

He’s currently wearing a cone constantly because without it, he is constantly itching to the point of soreness. It only affects his paws and forearms. 

I’m unable to get him an allergy test at the moment due to cost and insurance won’t cover it as it’s a pre-existing condition which has gradually gotten worse. 

He used to sneeze a lot but eventually it calmed down and he was fine. 

I’m considering a skin scrape or blood test depending on the price - so if anyone knows an estimated price that would be helpful. 

I have no family history for him as I adopted him from Dogs Trust and they told me that he was a stray in Ireland.

I’m taking him back to the vet tomorrow but I wanted to ask if anyone had any advice or has dealt with this problem before? As he can’t keep wearing a cone for the rest of his life and this has been going on for over a month. 

I’ve included pictures so you can see what his current condition looks like. 

Brambling

I'm not a JR owner but a couple of my sisters have had / have them and skin problems / chewing feet can be a known problem for them.  They can also be quick to pick up the bad habit of chewing and keep at it long after the initial problem has been resolved, my sister's dog spent most of this summer with a cone to stop her chewing until she had pulled her fur out in patches and was bleeding (the vet had resolved the initial problem).  Do you have a small vet shop with knowledgeable staff who you can ask for advice, my sister was able to pick up a non medical ointment for skin problems which seemed to work for their dog - sorry I don't have the name of it but I know it was made locality

Jammybread

Has he had his anal glands checked? I had a Jack Russell, same thing, we thought it was fox mange (she was forever rolling in fox $|=|1T) or allergy, prior to this vet prescribed medicated shampoo and steroid cream, didn't go away and when we returned they checked the anal glands which were infected. Does he scoot round the carpet on his butt? 

explain7

@Brambling
I do have a pet shop in my area but since they sell all types of animals - they don’t really specialise in anything. 
I have asked them before about dog skin products but they only had one item and said that it was best to go to vet. 

@Jammybread
No he hasn’t had them checked but I can definitely ask. The only glands the vet checked was at the back of his legs - which she said was high and meant he had an infection.
Also no he doesn’t scoot on his butt - that area seems completely fine. 

MalMonroe

Oh, poor little dog, I do feel so sorry for him. The problem is that it could be so many things. Food allergy is one. But as you say, vet's tests can be very expensive. I know this as we had a cat who also suffered from a skin allergy and had to be investigated and then take antibiotics regularly. Not cheap.

This is from a vet page specifically about Jack Russells :  "omega fatty acids are a major benefit in the fight against allergies and degenerative disorders that can cause inflammation and arthritis" - if your vet agrees, you could try giving him a supplement like that.

Apart from usual things like pollen and grass, food can cause allergies in JR dogs including chicken, wheat and soy - especially if they're in dog food. You can get special food for allergic dogs but then again, it's more expensive than the usual dog food.

Some antiseptic sprays, washes and shampoos are also detrimental.

I hope the vet can find some way to help him, though. 

ladyholly

I have heard something called stinky stuff is good for irritated skin. I dont have any experience of it and can give no information or reccomendation but if the vet cant help it might be worth a try unless anyone know different.

sheramber

It can be a lot  of things unfortunately and may be  a case of trial and  error, specially if it  a food allergy.
Try to feed ingredients he has not had before. 
I found feeding boiled fish  and rice worked for my dog. thee I tried boiled chicken and rice which also worked to stop the itching. It turned out she reacted to wheat  gluten and at  that time all thee dried foods contained wheat so I used a tinned food with no wheat in it. Eventually foods with rice instead of wheat were introduced.

 A friend had a terrier who suffered from sore paws.A specialist diagnosed allergy and advised feeding a wet food only. Feeding tinned Chappie worked for her but there are other tinned foods which are complete  e.g. Butchers, Winalot.
 Dogs can react to store mites which can be found in dried foods.
Some  have found this worked  for westies with skin problems      https://www.camrosa.co.uk/dogs

donnac2558

A friend's JR has a skin allergy.   He also had fits but did live to a good age 15.    I remember she had him to the vet quite a lot and they did skin tests and he was allergic to a number of things one being grass!   He was on meds for the fits and also his allergies for most of his life.   The allergies only started when it was around 3 or 4 years old.    If I remember correctly he had to get bathed in a special solulation from the vet if he was ever walked on grass.

If need be go to a different vet and get a proper diagnosis for your dog, pets shops and people on the web will not be able to give a proper answer

Katiehound

I don't have experience of this but both Camrosa and Anicura seem to have impressive before and after photos. Camrosa was developed by the owners. to solve an allergy problem  with their own pets (horse?)
I am wondering if you have tried an antihistamin tablet such as Piriton

Interestingly John Burns developed his dog food due to dogs presenting at his surgery with skin complaints and he was sure it was connected to food.
I would try fresh fish / egg/ chicken with rice to see if had any effect. Some sensitive dog foods use sweet or ordinary potato as a base.

There are such a lot of things that it might be. When my hound developed red patches (hot spots) the vet couldn't offer specific advice. I used Sudocrem & Piriton. It just went away- eventually.

People on the web may well be able to offer constructive suggestions

Have you thought of contacting Dogs Trust to see if they have any suggestions to make?

Vegastare

Have a look at this - https://www.healthfulpets.co.uk/leucillin
Leucillin  is an antiseptic non toxic and soothes irritation - I have not used it on my fellow, but have heard it is very good....worth looking at.  Really helped with red area caused by biting and licking and just spray on.

carefullycautious

Make sure his bedding is not washed in biological washing powder. Also don't use any shake and vac on carpets as these can be irritants. If dietary changes do not help it must be external irritants. Weed killers in grass are another source of irritant. I would  have skin scraping done to rule out mites/mange/fleas also.