bumps on GSP

[anb]

Probably no big deal, but I have been curious about these bumps she keeps getting. Not sure it is from crashing through brush in the woods, or maybe retrieving ducks out of less than clean water, or something else. My GSP is 16months and she will get bumps all over her body - head face, leggs, back, armpits . . . some look like little pimples, some have scabs, and some are just bumps. They dont seem to itch her much if at all. She does wear a neoprene orange vest (for warmth and safety) when we are out hunting, maybe it is trapping bacteria or something in there? At first I was thinking it was like puppy acne (especially around her heat cycle) but the seem to be more constant now. Probably just pokes from branches. Any ideas?
thanks
Andrea

[Coveyrise64]

Staph infection, antibiotic (Cephalexin) will usually take care of it.

Coveyrise64

[ultracarry]

How many bumps are there? Mine gets one or two but probably from crashing through brush... never in the same place. If you have a dog that likes to work deep cover I would expect it.

[kninebirddog]

Staph infection, antibiotic (Cephalexin) will usually take care of it.

Coveyrise64

if that is what it is here is a source for some cephalexin http://www.atozvetsupply.com/FISH-FLEX- ... 1tlfle.htm

[anb]

ultracary - she has them all over. Right now about 7 on the top of her head, a few on her chest and armpits, about 5 on her back and rib cage, probably 5 on her neck and a few on the insides of her legs. They kind of resemble spots where ticks used to be, although since I have only pulled one tick off her lately that can't be it. She crashes through brush and heavy cover like she is a tank though - a very nimble tank.

others - how can I be sure it is staff infection? I would hate to unneccessarily medicate. She had an ear infection a few weeks ago (yeast), could these be related?

thanks!
Andrea

[BigShooter]

Staph is not all that uncommon in dogs. It is not the same staph bug that results in human infections. You can't be certain without a visit to a vet. The description certainly sounds like staph. If you're not trying to save money take the dog to a vet, otherwise it's pretty inexpensive to medicate with few side effects noted. The symptoms wouldn't be anything I've experienced with a dog crashing through the woods or fields.

[ezzy333]

Staph is not all that uncommon in dogs. It is not the same staph bug that results in human infections. You can't be certain without a visit to a vet. The description certainly sounds like staph. If you're not trying to say money take the dog to a vet, otherwise it's pretty inexpensive to medicate with few side effects noted. The symptoms wouldn't be anything I've experienced with a dog crashing through the woods or fields.

Good post and good information.

Ezzy

[Cajun Casey]

Might try a chlorhexadine shampoo, or one with tea tree oil.

[anb]

cajun casey -
I have a bottle of pure tea tree oil right here at home. Ok to just mix that in with a mild soap? ( I usually use baby shampoo on her.) I thought I might have read about tea tree being toxic to dogs at some point - just rinse super well then?
thanks!!!

[mcbosco]

cajun casey -
I have a bottle of pure tea tree oil right here at home. Ok to just mix that in with a mild soap? ( I usually use baby shampoo on her.) I thought I might have read about tea tree being toxic to dogs at some point - just rinse super well then?
thanks!!!

It can be toxic to DOGs and it is certainly toxic to cats. Buy Derma Dream at Petco and use that instead.

[anb]

Another question on this topic:

Would staph be contagious to humans too? I have noticed I also have some bumps on the back of my neck/ears.

What causes staph infection? Could it be from switching food, changing schedules (stress); what I am thinking is the duck retrievals in ponds then not washing good enough - maybe she got some in the bed?

Have to take the new kittens to the vet next week sometime, so if it doesn't clear up any by then, I guess I'll have it looked at then.

Thanks for the help!
Andrea

[dog dr]

careful using human shampoo. even baby shampoo can dry their skin out pretty good, then they scratch alot and flake.

[mcbosco]

Good point Doc. The oatmeal shampoos work really well for something like this. I would avoid anything with citrus, menthol, mint etc.

this is the stuff i keep handy, it used to be called Derma Dream:

http://www.petco.com/product/105060/Hal ... Salve.aspx

[Greg Jennings]

I had the same issue with my V. Wash the dog off with plenty of clean water after getting in the nasty pond water.

Greg J.

[markj]

I have seen these bumps on dogs from time to time. And also on my steers, it may be a case of ring worm, not a worm but a bacteria. Common cure is 2 tsp apple cider vinegar and 2 cups water, dab this on the bumps and it will clear up the ringworm. A topical cream you can use on yourself is the monistat 7 women use for yeast infections as ring worm is just that a yeast infection had my dogs get into the feed lot, they came up with this. It is transferable to humans too. May not be this or it may be wont know unless a vet takes a sample.

[Cajun Casey]

cajun casey -
I have a bottle of pure tea tree oil right here at home. Ok to just mix that in with a mild soap? ( I usually use baby shampoo on her.) I thought I might have read about tea tree being toxic to dogs at some point - just rinse super well then?
thanks!!!

It's toxic if ingested, especially to cats. Actually, it could kill a cat, as could most essential aromatic oils. You could just cut the tea tree with a little baby oil and apply it directly, making sure she dosen't lick it. Many dog sprays have tea tree, also called melaleuca, oil in them. Richard's Incredible Skin Spray is one I use. I'd lose the baby shampoo, since it may be drying her skin and changing the pH. If you want to use something cheap that you can multi-use around the house, original Dawn dish soap works. Goop hand cleaner is another good bathing product.

[anb]

Normally, I just take her in the shower with me and wash with water only, baby soap is more for cleaning her ears out as they have gotten infected before. I do have an ear cleaning solution now though. I really like the idea of using natural products, but I don't think I could keep her from licking for sure so I don't think I'll be using the tea tree - maybe try it out on the ones on her head where she can't reach. We are headed into town today, so I will see what I can find at the pet store that might help out. Will shower her again and wash out here neoprene vest as I'm sure that has trapped bacteria in it! Hopefuly we can find a solution, if not I will shell out some $ and take her into the vet.
Andrea

[Coveyrise64]

Normally, I just take her in the shower with me and wash with water only, baby soap is more for cleaning her ears out as they have gotten infected before. I do have an ear cleaning solution now though. I really like the idea of using natural products, but I don't think I could keep her from licking for sure so I don't think I'll be using the tea tree - maybe try it out on the ones on her head where she can't reach. We are headed into town today, so I will see what I can find at the pet store that might help out. Will shower her again and wash out here neoprene vest as I'm sure that has trapped bacteria in it! Hopefuly we can find a solution, if not I will shell out some $ and take her into the vet.
Andrea

Take the dog to the vet, you'll be money ahead.

Coveyrise64