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Chiggers

Charlie

We have a 5 year old Golden Retriever. He got into chiggers (or they got into him) last week. The first couple of days we just thought that it was an ear infection that he was scratching at so we were treating the ear infection, but we just realized two days ago that he had chiggers. He has a nasty oozing place about the size of a fist just under his left ear. We bathed him and poured peroxide on the site and let it bubble out. We followed that by a treatment of Revolution. Is there anything else we can do? We tried to shave it, but he really put up a fight. Is there anything topically that we can put on it or do we need to get him a sattelite to stop him from scratching? I'm a first time dog owner (we've had him for about a month) and I'm looking for some good advice. Thanks

Symptoms: Itching & Scratching, Lethargy, No Appetite & Anorexia, Pain, Wounds

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• Master Advisor Torunn says:

  February 14th, 2008 at 09:01 AM

  Hi there

  This does sound like a wet eczema, which often starts under the ear flaps of dogs with lop ears, especially in damp/warm conditions. If left untreated it will spread amazingly fast across the body, especially on the face. It is treated with topical antibiotic cream (I tend to use Fuciderm) and systemic antibiotics are also needed. The area does need to be clipped and scrubbed with antiseptic soap (Hibiscrub) before applying the Fuciderm. Some dogs are not very cooperative to clipping, so they sometimes need sedating to do properly.

  Was he seen by a vet for the ear infection? What did you treat it with?

  I am afraid you need to bring him to the vet to treat the eczema, but it usually resolves fast with treatment. Make sure the ears are clear as well while you are there.

  Good luck!

  Torunn Beurling

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• Marina says:

  February 14th, 2008 at 02:44 PM

  Would chiggers cause the Wet Ecxema? We bathed him again last night and cleaned the area well, he does have bites over the majority of his body. He has more energy and is eating and moving around quite a bit more today (since his bath last night).

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• Master Advisor Torunn says:

  February 14th, 2008 at 05:01 PM

  Chiggers could contribute to the wet eczema, by reducing the immune response and bringing on a skin infection. The area under the ear being particularly sensitive to it, if he has been lying on the side making it warm and humid,  and also an ear infection on top of this are all contributing factors.

  Have the chiggers (mites) actually been diagnosed and identified? If so they should respond to treatment. But the wet eczema really need veterinary attention (assuming that is what he has). A wet eczema is red, irritated, wet and pus-like oozing in places.

  Torunn

   

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• Marina says:

  February 14th, 2008 at 06:48 PM

  Yes, we actually saw the chiggers on him - that is what made us conclude that is what he had. I think he scratched at them really bad in the original place that they clustered up on him. He seems to be responding very well today to the revolution and his "yucky spot" isn't oozing at all today. We are giving him Mometamax (day 5) and I think he is going to do ok. If it starts oozing again, we will take him to the vet, but I think he is on the mend. We now know the importance of staying on schedule with the flea control medicine. Thank you for your time.

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• Master Advisor Torunn says:

  February 14th, 2008 at 08:37 PM

  You are welcome, I am glad to hear he is doing better.

  Please let me know if I can be of any further assitance.

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