Is Paco Hopeless???
I decided at that point to take him to see the vet. The affected area was shaved, and the other two scabs fell off. Unfortunately, the vet gave me NO answers as to what the sores could be from. Silly me for thinking that my vet could actually identify a problem. Argh! So, he sent a culture off to the lab ($$$). I'm now waiting to hear back about the lab results. Although I have been consistently frustrated with my vet, he really is a nice person. Today he called to see how I was doing. We had a nice conversation and just as the conversation was about to end, he said something that really angered me. He said that Paco is just one of those dogs who is going to have lifelong health problems. He said that he is happy that I am willing to take care of him, but my next dog should be a mutt because it won't have these sorts of medical problems. First of all, if he doesn't even know what Paco's current affliction is, how the heck does he know that Paco will have health problems his whole life? Second of all, is that any way of reassuring someone? Sorry for the rant. I am just really disturbed by what he said. Sure, Paco had hip problems, but that should be resolved by the JPS surgery. Sure, Paco has some weird scabby things, but who says that it is a permanent problem? It's time to find a new vet! By the way, has anyone had an OES with similar scabs? I'm really wondering if it is a reaction from the rabies shot. It could also just be a result of stress from the surgery. Is Paco a lost cause? I sure hope not! |
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| GET ANOTHER VET NOW!!!!! some seem so indifferent. Second opinion can't hurt, If it was you would you not not want a second one???? HE is your child. Only once did I take my vet, We could see something was really wrong with Kassie. She came back with blood test. BAD. She asked her partner to re check. She took another teast and came back with the same results. They both did this not knowing what the other had found.
With Fergie , Madeline took her to 3 heart specialists and all came up with the same. Even my own vet came up with the same results. BUT I do beleave in getting a second opinion!!! Good luck and my prayers for and your baby are in my heart. I hope the news is good. XXXoooo |
| Don't give up on Paco! My puppy got sick on the recall foods when he was just three months old and we were at the vet constantly...then he had some ear infections that kept us going to the vet too...then he was neutered. So we too have been to the vet alot. But all for things that couldn't be helped and hopefully all is taken care of now.
Your Paco is just going through a bad period. The scabs on his back could be from something easily treatable...It doesn't sound like your going to ahve problems his whole life... Good Luck...keep us posted. Diane & Bowie |
Sometimes vets (and real people, too) just don't realize the impact their words have.  |
I'd look to another Vet, No Paco is not a lost cause but your vet seems to be  .
Does not matter how nice your vet is, if there is no support and encouragement there regardless of what breed it is, time to move on to someone else. IMO The scabs well who knows, maybe he picked up something at the vets premises. I think the vets attitude & remarks absolutely stinks. |
hopefully paco will be better soon.. derby is on his first week of surgery fcp (like hip dysplisa in the front legs) i too feel you need a new vet for months nobody could see what my boy's front legs would give out and limp 24/7 .. i know he has been one sick pup 3500.00 later i know he will row up with no problems  good luck licks to paco |
| That's such an off color remark to make that I can see why you were so turned off. I would be, too. I think a good vet has to have a lot more than just ability. A good bedside manner with the dogs, as well as with me, is really what makes the difference in making a choice in a health care provider. You never want to feel uncomfortable around the vet or put off my their comments-- they're there to help your dog and you, not be discouraging. Even if it were true (that he did have a lifetime of problems ahead of him) there's a lot better ways to relay that and give you advice as to how to deal with it.
I tried 4 vets in my area until finally settling on the one we have now. She's great! She gets us in whenever we need help immediately and gets down on the floor with the dogs, hugging and kissing them. They love her and love going there. She never has anything but positive encouragement even when the situation isn't great. She's not ready to give up until we've exhausted every available option. Ultimately, you're going to need this person for the rest of the life of your dog so it's worthwhile to have someone you like and trust. |
| Thanks, all, for the support and confirming my complaints about my vet. I wasn't sure if I was being overly sensitive because I'm so protective of Paco. It's also not a good idea to make snide comments about purebred dogs to an OES lover! I have been referred to a new vet by a friend and I will get a second opinion about the scabs (which are actually starting to heal already).
Sheesh. I'm happy that every time I get sick or injured I don't think, "Oh great, now I will have a lifetime of medical problems!" |
| I hope the new Vet is great! |
| Hey Molly! Sorry you're having such a hard time with this vet. There are so many vets in the Chicago area. Definitely switch and find a new one that is more comforting. |
| Molly,
I'm sorry you are having these kind of vet problems. Are you in Chicago or the suburbs? If you need more vet references I can ask my groomer/daycare owner. She also breeds and shows her own dogs...so she knows of a few of the "better" vets. Izzie just goes to someone close to home, but I would go the extra distance to the "better" vets for something bigger than routine checkups. When I first saw the title of this thread I thought is said "Is Paco Homeless"    |
| Get another vet now, it is possible this is a reaction, also he should have NEVER given him any shot just 3 days after surgery, when his imune system is low, you might want to change him to a raw diet also, there are many people here who changed to rwa feeding , me too , anybody can answer questions for you. Hope Paco feels better soon Edy |
| I just got the lab results back and it looks like Paco's scabs are from a staph infection. Luckily, the antibiotics he has been on are effective for this infection. He is already healing nicely. But of course, the vet didn't give me any answers as to how he contracted the infection. Bye bye old vet. Hello new vet. |
| The vet can't possibly give you a definitive answer on where Paco's infection came from!
That's like asking your doctor to tell you where your cold came from when nobody you know is sick. Staph bacteria lives everywhere. I just hope that the antibiotic cures this and it does not become a recurrent situation. Finish the antibiotics course as prescribed and cross your fingers. |
Quote: Staph bacteria lives everywhere... on humans too Yup... sometimes a dog immunity can be down leaving him/her susceptible to staph that normally lives on the skin. I was surprised to read a few articles that said humans may even pass it to their pets Quote: I just hope that the antibiotic cures this and it does not become a recurrent situation.
I expect the antibiotics will fix Paco right up. However IF staph recurs, check into Staphage Lysate by Delmont Labs to see if it's appropriate. It's said to help stimulate the immune system in maybe 60-77% of the dogs that receive these shots (only from what I've read on other sites and I don't know the pros/cons of using it). http://delmontlabs.info/research http://delmontlabs.info/product_info You might ask your new vet about adding a probiotic to Paco's diet since he's receiving antibiotics... antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria in the gut along with the bad stuff they're intended to eliminate. Some vets poo-poo this but earlier this year we found that yogurt was simply not enough. Paco is SO worth it... you simply never know what will afflict a dog when you bring one into your life. He's lucky to have a loving family to stick by his side. |
| I think your vet has a lifelong problem of the brain! |
| As mentioned, staph lives on skin surfaces--ours, too!
The 3 spots so near to one another do suggest some sort of injury/injection site or some such event. The vaccination so close to surgery was probably a factor. Whatever diet you choose (I've never done a raw diet so I can't comment on that), make sure it is the highest quality, best nutrition you can find and afford, to help support Paco's immune system and to contribute to his overall health. Oh, and yes. Change vets. |
Quote: Whatever diet you choose...
I agree completely. I had a vet tell me once that about the only thing an owner really has control over, as far as health goes, is nutrition. We have sole control over what our dogs eat day in and day out. We each have to do our own research and select a high quality, nutritious dog food and look into supplemental foods, etc. to make our dogs the healthiest they can be... whether they're already in good health or if they have health conditions. |
| I have Paco on a mix of Pet Promise puppy chow and Wellness sweet potato and fish (both wet and dry). Both of these are high quality and do not contain any harmful ingredients. Paco does really well with them. Paco's surgeon told me to start tapering him off of puppy chow to slow down his growth. I hope this was good advice. I'm a little cautious about taking him off of the puppy chow completely at only 4 months, so I think I'll keep some of it mixed in with the adult dog food for a few more months. He also gets raw vegetables as treats. It is definitely important to keep the little guy healthy! |
| Molly, I would take Paco also off his puppy food, an OES does not need all that, switchim him to adult food will slow his growth down and prevend growth plate problems Edy and the fuzzy herd |
| Molly, Edy has given you two good suggestions. She has had her fair share of sheepdogs over the years and much experience in feeding, vaccinations, etc. Her first: go to raw feed is something you should research. I know many dogs who have had health issues that disappeared when they went to raw diets.
The second suggestion, the stopping the puppy food, is one for right now. Paco has enough structure issues, you don't need to be aggravating them with continued puppy food. Might I add a third, also start him on probiotics. His immune system has taken quite a hit, he needs a bit of help. Paco is lucky to have such a caring Mommy. I hope the new vet works out for you. The other one is a bit short on compassion and good sense. s. |
| Molly I have one more suggestion, put Paco on Milk Thistle, you can get at the drugstore, this is to help to clean the liver of all chemicals he got with medications and is also a great liver support.
With all the support you get here, you will have Paco brand new in no time Edy |
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