Looking for answers

[ebaker1954]

WOW! what a website. I have been the proud owner of "Sir Licka-lot" (his registered name) since he was a six week bundle of wrinkles. I had just lost my best friend of sixteen years, ET, my Pekingese. I came across Licka at a yard sale where the owners where registered breeders of Pugs and in the basket were two pugs remaining out of a litter of five. I reached in with the owner's permission and immediately Licka came waddling up to my hand and began licking it. I had swore I'd never get another dog to replace ET but he suckered me in with a lick. The rest is history. I thought I was adopting a short haired version of a Pek but I couldn't have been further from reality. I have owned Licka now for just over two years and talking about a shadow! EVERYWHERE I go he's right there with me. He hasn't replaced ET but stands beside her in my heart. He is even an official service dog for my PTSD symptoms now.
Now I have a problem I need help with and that is what brought me to this website. The poor little guy has one of the worse skin rash problems I've seen. He is constantly itching and wanting to be scratched (which I always do without hesitation) and every time it's warm outside and I let him out he comes back in covered with bumps that I can only assume is a heat rash. I have bought over the counter hot spot spray and have given him oatmeal baths but the little guy still suffers with the rash off and on. I don't want to take him to the vet because all I hear is that they will put him on meds and steroids that can do more harm than good. I would love to hear from others that have or are experiencing the same problems with their little shadows. Any and all constructive suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ed

I would upload a pic of Licka but have no idea about what or how to upload an "URL"

[Rugbysmom]

Hi & I'm so sorry about the loss of your dear little ET--that must have been so hard. I'm glad you have found a little Pug to love, tho! I wouldn't avoid taking him to the vet--he obviously needs something, & you won't know what unless a vet looks at him. They don't all necessarily prescribe meds unless they are needed....it could be a flea allergay, or allergies to other things, etc. Hopefully others will chime in here with their ideas. As far as pictures, you need to have them posted somewhere like PhotoBucket. There is a sticky on the Board which will explain how to do it better than I could. We look forward to seeing pics of your little guy! Please keep us posted on how he is doing! I hope you will enjoy visiting on this board as much as I do!

[BeachyKeen]

Hi, and welcome!

Here is the thread on posting photos:

HOW TO: Post Pictures on PV (Updated)

Have you ruled out food allergies? I don't have experience with this, but there are plenty of members who do and I hope someone can point you in the right direction. Pictures might help.

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Hello and to PugVillage. I am so sorry about ET. I love how you wrote about Licka not replacing ET but standing beside her in your heart. Very well put. I would look at food allergies first with ET's skin condition. What food are you feeding him?

[CountryPug]

Welcome to Pug Village! Sounds like he might have allergies. Have you tried going grain free or switching to a different protein source like fish, venison or bison? If you post a thread in the health section about his issues, or do a search here on allergies, I think you will get a ton of information.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

yes food and/or environmental allergies. What are you feeding? 6 weeks is very young to leave the mother, poor little mite. A responsible breeder would not be selling at six weeks, nor at a garage sale. But that is long in the past now although his immune system may not have developed as it should ideally (it is stressful on the immune system to prematurely wean and separate puppies) and that may contribute to his problems now as an adult.

I would suggest consulting a hollistic and/or integrative vet who will explore fixing the base cause of his problems and not just put a band-aid on it with drugs. You will probably need to change foods, avoid vaccination and possibly give him some supplements to strengthen and balance his immune response.

I was able to find three listings for holistic vets in Mississippi:

AHVMA Members
Selected for MS All Modalities Small animal practice preferred Sorted by Zip Code or Postal Code

Return to Search Page
BARBARA ALLEN , DVM BS
ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY CARE
1189 OLD FANNIN RD, SUITE D
BRANDON , MS 39047
Phone: 601-951-8525
Fax: 601-919-3566
Modalities Practiced: (Modality Quick Reference)
AC AC(CHI) CH CN HMTX MA
Practice Preferences:
SMALL ANIMAL HOUSE CALLS

Michael Walker , DVM
Forest Animal Hospital
1220 W. 3rd Street
Forest , MS 39074
Phone: 601-469-4362
Fax: 601-469-1155
Modalities Practiced: (Modality Quick Reference)
CH CN CM NU WH
Practice Preferences:
SMALL ANIMAL EQUINE FARM HOUSE CALLS

CONNIE CHEVIS , DVM CVA, CVT, CVH, CVFT
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR PETS
2016 BENIGNO LANE
BAY ST. LOUIS , MS 39520
Phone: 228-671-6210
Fax: 228-467-3205
Modalities Practiced: (Modality Quick Reference)
AC AC(CHI) CH MA CHINESE TUI-NA
Practice Preferences:
SMALL ANIMAL EQUINE EXOTIC AVIAN

Take care,
Lisa

[Tinker's mom]

Hello & to the village! I'm so sorry for your loss. Glad you found us. Lisa has a ton of experience so go with her advice.Please keep us posted about how things are going.

[Snifter]

Hello and welcome. I completely agree with advice to take your little one to the vet. Itchies can be hard to diagnose but you should eliminate the obvious stuff first like fleas, yeast or demodex. An antihistamine should help with the bumps from when he goes outside.

I also recommend reviewing his diet. If he is eating anything with grains in it, look for a grain free alternative. If you have fed him the same protein then switch to something he has not had before like fish, and see if it settles down. He's at a prime age for food intolerances to start showing themselves.

[ebaker1954]

Thank you one and all for your great suggestions. Lisa one of the vets u listed is two towns over and I am going to give her a call this morning and get an appointment set up for LICKA. thank you

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Please keep us updated!!

Take care,
Lisa