Replied by Sharon (Atlanta, Ga) on 02/16/2014
I have spent thousands treating lower lip infections on my poor dog. They just keep coming back. He is on even stronger antibiotics this time, so I decided to do my own research. Today, I learned through pictures and descriptions that he definitely has lip fold pyoderma.I took photos of his condition and they are a perfect match for the images and descriptions I have found on line. My vet has always said she wasn't sure what causes his infections. She had him on 7 weeks of various antibiotics the first time. I am relieved to have a diagnosis. Now I need to ask: Does the lip fold surgery usually help? Is there a recommended topical preventative, or maybe a diet regimen that will help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This poor pup has patiently tolerated so much medicine and vet visits. He deserves some relief.Replied by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 02/17/2014
Theresa
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
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Hey Sharon!
You asked:
- Does the lip fold surgery usually help?
You don't provide the breed of your dog for the best answer. If you are dealing with a Chinese Shar Pei, then certainly removing the excess skin that creates the folds and pockets for bacteria and yeast to thrive *should* help. Keeping your dog's problem skin folds clean is critical; are you cleaning the folds daily? Lack of daily or twice daily care may be contributing to the problem; if you have not been keeping up on daily cleaning you might try that using some solutions you can mix up [provided below] and see if that works before opting for surgery. I also notice that in my pack skin problems pop up during allergy season; consider if this may be a factor for your dog.
- Is there a recommended topical preventative?
I have had a little bit of luck with any and all of these:
- Powdered turmeric [grocery spice aisle]
- Calamine lotion
- Milk of Magnesia
- Alum powder [baking section of grocery store]
- OTC human vaginal cream for yeast
- Chlorhexadine [bulk from farm and fleet supply]
- Zymox [purchase online, usually used for ears]
- Zinc diaper rash ointment
It usually requires thoroughly washing and drying the area and then applying the remedy of choice into the folds. Products from the vet, ie Dermalone, contain multiple antibiotics and usually have a steroid so they address the intense itching and discomfort very quickly, but the tiny 1 oz tubes are so expensive it makes long term treatment or treating multiple dogs cost prohibitive. One thing to consider is Ted's Mange remedy - provided below.
- Is there a diet regimen that will help?
The question I first have to ask is - what are you currently feeding your dog? If the answer is a well balanced RAW diet, then I would not suggest you change your kibble. If on the other hand you are feeding the cheapest grocery store brand you can buy [usually these kinds are loaded with grains, dyes and lots of sugar] then certainly an upgrade of kibble brands is called for. And if you are already feeding a top notch brand then it might be time to consider RAW. Certainly the addition of probiotics and digestive enzymes to the diet is a good idea, along with alkalizing by adding 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unpasteurized, 'with the Mother' Apple Cider Vinegar mixed into the food, or baking soda to the water [details below].
If this were my dog I would use my allergy plan based on Ted's remedies that I regularly use on my pack during allergy season:
Allergy skin battle plan for allergy flare ups
Ingredients:
- Borax laundry booster - the plain stuff with NO scent.
- 1 -16 oz brown bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
I get both of these from the grocery store.
Process:
Empty hydrogen peroxide into larger bottle - I use an empty 1 gallon vinegar jug. Add to this 32 oz filtered or distilled water - I just refill the hydrogen peroxide bottle twice - and dump into the jug. What this does is change your 3% hydrogen peroxide into 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Next add 1 cup of the borax crystals and shake. There should be some un-dissolved crystals in the mixed solution - this is just right. I try to use hot water from the kettle on the stove, that or sit the jug of mixture in the sink full of hot water while I bathe the dog.
NEXT:
Bathe the dog - use whatever shampoo and rinse well. Squeeze out excess water and make sure the tub is drained. I then plug up the tub. Now pour the mixed up solution over the dog. I use a small sponge to soak up the solution from the bottom of the tub and squeeze it out onto the dog again and again, making sure I get the head and underneath. Keep squeezing solution over and over onto the dog for about 15 minutes - 30 minutes is better. Then pull the stopper from the tub and let the excess drain. DO NOT DRY THE DOG OR RINSE THE DOG. The solution has to remain wet as it is still working. Allow the dog to air dry. I just pop mine into their crates and I remove any absorbent bedding.
If you are worried about poisoning your dog keep in mind that borax has the same toxicity as table salt. The solution doesn't seem to hurt the eyes or sting any sores on the skin. Some dogs feel instant relief!
Now, the above remedy is Ted's remedy for mange, but its a good start for troubled skin. I will do this dip 2-3 times the first week when allergies hit and skin starts to get itchy and yeasty. I would treat the entire dog with the mange remedy and only after treating the entire dog for 2-3 baths in the first week would I then shift to the Antifungal/Staph solution, and this can be made in small batches so you can treat only the affected areas and not the whole dog.
Ted's Anti fungal/staph skin solution - you will need:
- Milk of Magnesia [magnesium hydroxide]
- Epsom salts [magnesium sulfate]
- Borax [sodium tetraborate]
- 1% hydrogen peroxide solution
METHOD:
Mix 1 tbsp of MOM with 1 tbsp epsom salt and 1 tbsp borax into 1-1/2 cups of 1% hydrogen peroxide. Apply and do not rinse. This solution should knock out any staph infection or yeast infection going on in the skin. Just apply generously to the affected area and allow to air dry.
Probiotics [as mentioned above] and digestive enzymes are also useful in combating allergies and skin issues - consider adding those to your dog's diet as well.
Lastly, the addition of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in one half liter of non-chlorinated drinking water may also help to calm problem skin by alkalizing and balancing your dog's PH - do this for about a week. Once the skin is under control, for long term maintenance use 1/2 tsp of baking soda per liter of water. If your dog isn't keen on drinking the BS water, scale it back and build it up gradually - when done in this fashion my pack has taken readily to the BS water.
Dogs with skin issues are high maintenance dogs. You may need to thoroughly wash between your dogs folds of skin and treat with the Anti staph solution twice a day, 24/7/365 to keep him healthy.