English Bull Terrier

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Discussion

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Need some advice from fellow EBT enthusiasts!

We have Ned who is now a 7 month old Brindle / White EBT.

For the last month or so he's had a bit of a bald spot on the top of his head - started really small so at first we thought it was maybe where he was sleeping in his crate and rubbing it, so we actually moved him out of that and into the kitchen at night. Made no difference so we took him to the vets who suggested small infection and gave him steroid jab and anti biotics.

It's getting worse it seems. In googling it, some people on a US forum suggest scent glands as the cause, but I did suggest this to the vet and was told not to be silly. Never seen him scratch it on anything. Does sometimes get a few lumps and bumps on his belly if been running through the bushes etc in the woods which go in a day or two, and I know they can be susceptible to skin irritations.

Diet - he is now on JWB junior - he was on IAMS puppy when we first noticed the spot and it was really small, but have transitioned to JWB over last few weeks as it seems to agree with his tummy more / and he will actually eat it without us having to add stuff to it! Otherwise all seems well - is very energetic as you'd expect from an EBT puppy, great temperament, lovable clown.

So booked to take him back to vets tomorrow but I guess really looking to see if anyone else has had same the issue, if scent glands could be the cause etc - I know even a vet can sometimes not know every little foible of every single breed, and really just want to head off the issue sooner than later rather than keep going over "try this and come back in a week or two" kind of treatments.

Thanks

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Picture may be helpful if you can smile

pidsy

7,958 posts

156 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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They suffer from skin problems.

Demodex is the most common in Bull Terriers. I'd hope that your vet has already dismissed that.

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Here is a pic - the skin isn't really red or even that pink in the flesh so to speak photo makes it look a little that way.



Vet did mention parasite but said that would be the next course of investigation, not the first course - hence the steroids and anti biotics. It's literally confined to this spot no others on body

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0002WPTI4/ref=mp_...

These may be worth a try, trim hair around the patch, salt water bathe twice a day then use these wipes on it.

Bullies are prone to localised yeast infections on the skin

Skin scrape would be sensible, though if mites would expect other patches by now.

There isn't a lump/ mass is there? Can't tell from the pic.

Ringworm possible but again would expect other patches

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Thanks Bex - got appt at vets tomorrow - will suggest / ask about yeast infection and hopefully they will order a scrape anyway based on what was said last time. If nothing specific is diagnosed tomorrow it won't hurt to keep that area extra clean with those wipes and bathing regime I take it?

There is no lump (other than that is a lumpy bit of his head / skull protrusion as such) - no fleshy / swollen lump though.

That's what we thought re other types of infection / parasite - seems weird to be so localised. Re ringworm he is up to date with all his worming treatments - but is that a 100% cast iron guarantee he couldn't get anything?

It was posts like this (found quite a few similar ones) that rang true with Neds symptoms : http://www.bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/discussion/2108... and suggested a gland issue - not likely in your experience?






Edited by chilluk7 on Monday 8th February 13:39

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 8th February 2016
quotequote all
No it won't hurt.

Don't touch the area til the apt though will be better if they are going to scrape.

Ringworm is actually a fungal infection not a worm, so wormers etc won't stop it.

Yes stud glands I've seen (in dogs and cats) but usually on the tail about a 1/3 way down. I don't think I've seen them on the head before.

Patches of eczema can look like this but it should have cleared with last lot of treatment if it was this.

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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bexVN said:
Yes stud glands I've seen (in dogs and cats) but usually on the tail about a 1/3 way down. I don't think I've seen them on the head before.
This sounds like Ace, is it dangerous etc?

He had several bald areas when we got him from all the scratching due to poor condition etc. It's only his tail that hasn't fully grown back.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 8th February 2016
quotequote all
Hooli said:
bexVN said:
Yes stud glands I've seen (in dogs and cats) but usually on the tail about a 1/3 way down. I don't think I've seen them on the head before.
This sounds like Ace, is it dangerous etc?

He had several bald areas when we got him from all the scratching due to poor condition etc. It's only his tail that hasn't fully grown back.
Stud tail shouldn't be harmful, just a bit messy, tends to leave a greasy patch that makes the hair in the area greasy and dirty looking. Often seen in male cats and dogs that were castrated later in life and often had been used as a stud animal though it isn't exclusive to them I should add (even females can get it)

Treatment is needed if the skin in the area gets infected and certain shampoos can help keep it clean.

Edited by bexVN on Monday 8th February 15:35


Edited by bexVN on Monday 8th February 16:08

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Thanks.

It's just a inch square baldish patch, never seems to bother him.

Sorry for the thread derail.

pidsy

7,958 posts

156 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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Turn7 said:
Awww.....
Did you get my email the other day?

Turn7

23,500 posts

220 months

Monday 8th February 2016
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pidsy said:
Turn7 said:
Awww.....
Did you get my email the other day?
Erm....If it was about Milo then I think so ?

The PM system is screwed currently and Im not how long it has been?


bernhund

3,767 posts

192 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Look up Sarah Foster. She's a top breeder in the south east & knows this breed inside out. She's an international judge & animal welfare officer too. There's nothing she won't know about Bullies. Her dogs are Bilboens.

Edited by bernhund on Tuesday 9th February 09:17

pidsy

7,958 posts

156 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
Turn7 said:
pidsy said:
Turn7 said:
Awww.....
Did you get my email the other day?
Erm....If it was about Milo then I think so ?

The PM system is screwed currently and Im not how long it has been?
not milo.

i used the private address you gave - re helping out with a dog charity...

Turn7

23,500 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Turn7 said:
pidsy said:
Turn7 said:
Awww.....
Did you get my email the other day?
Erm....If it was about Milo then I think so ?

The PM system is screwed currently and Im not how long it has been?
not milo.

i used the private address you gave - re helping out with a dog charity...
Ah,I will check and confirm ...
Yes I have got it.
Will have a proper and reply tonight
Cheers
Mark

Edited by Turn7 on Tuesday 9th February 11:40

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
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Vet did skin scrape yesterday and reckoned no parasites or obvious sign of infection. Said under microscope it looked like hair breakage so suspected Ned had been rubbing his head - we had never seen him do it and he's barely left alone, but I guess we don't sleep with him at night! Anyway got some cream to stop irritation got to give 10 days else a biopsy in order apparently to see if anything deeper down.

Funny enough after the scrape it did look sore, and he was trying to rub it a little - to be expected I suppose after being attacked with the scalpel!

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Good to rule out mites (I suspected they would) probably rules out yeast infections as that should have been seen under microscope aswell

Fingers crossed treatment will sort it out

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Hmm wife noticed a small patch developing on his tail this morning - which kind of points back to the glands based on other links I found doesn't it? Vet was adamant it wasn't though on our first visit. Worth seeking a second opinion? He has actually seen 2 different vets in the same practice now - both young though (or I am getting old)? I liken it (as we are on a car forum) to taking your car to a local spanner twirler rather than a marque specific specialist - no one can know everything about every type of animal (make) let alone every breed (model)!

@Bernhund was that suggestion directed to me, to seek the advice of a very experienced breeder? If so thanks for suggestion and I will perhaps try and send her an email.

What I don't want is them taking a biopsy if it's not necessary just because of a slight knowledge gap - bit like your own GP you kind of just have to trust them I suppose?! Why do I find myself more worried about him than when the kids are ill???!!!

eatcustard

1,003 posts

126 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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The bold patch on the head/tail is quite normal, all my bullies have had them.

chilluk7

113 posts

103 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Thanks for that - reassuring - did you treat with anything / bathe with anything specific to help? Does it clear itself, did the hair grow back? Did it look like the pic I posted of Neds head above?

I'm not averse to the vets bills (£170 so far), but I am averse to them lopping chunks out of my dog if it's not required. It is a large well respected local practice but I do find it's very easy to "try" a treatment and "see how it goes".