Question:
Hello All,

Ten days ago I took my 1 yr old Rott to the vet for what appeared to be a small cut on the head plus vomiting and messy stool. Vet is a good one and treated the bowel and stomach problem. The cut grew and after shaving the head found it to be numerous ulcerous lesions. Blood puss etc. The head resembled looking at a brain although the ulcers were on the skin. A biopsy revealed a very fast growing culture. The scalp turned to a complete mess in three days. This condition spread to the jowels and neck. The vet prescribed med for the diarrea, vomiting and anti-biotics to arrest the violent rash. We are not certain just what is going on, but the vet feels the dog was possibly biten by an insect etc and is allergic. This is very serious as it is obvious it would and still could cause death. The animal also has small bumps on the rest of the body. The antibiotics appear to have arrested the rash and the puss has ceased. We may know more in a few days from the lab. I have had dogs all my life and have never seen anything like this. It is not a rash, it is a violent uncerous condition. The smell is unbearable. The dog is well watched, never loose and has a very clean kennel and in indoors most of the time. Anyone ever see or experience this? I would appreciate any comments.

Thank You,

Chuck

Answer:
I have no suggestions, but i hope you find some answers doesnt sound nice at all.:(

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i agree, this sounds terrible like some kind of flesh-eating bacteria? thank goodness your dog is in good medical hands and i hope you get answers soon and your dog makes a complete recovery...

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I don`t know if this is something dogs can get, but there is an autoimmune condition called pyoderma gangrenosum that can cause ulcers like you describe. I had it as a reaction from an insect bite. Steroids, while having nasty side-effects, are usually the best cure if it is autoimmune, plus antibiotics for the infection. This may not be what your dog has, but maybe give you an idea of something to check for (autoimmune disease * usually* shows up in bloodwork).

Answer:
Originally Posted by pamha
I don`t know if this is something dogs can get, but there is an autoimmune condition called pyoderma gangrenosum that can cause ulcers like you describe.

I was going to reply earlier stating that it could be a possible Staphylococcus Pyoderma (staph) infection, but I wasn't sure how accurate the symptoms were.

I did a quick net search on canine pyoderma and found several informative sites on bacterial skin infections, though I couldn't find a literal translation of the word gangrenosum (though I assume it to mean something along the scales of "very big or severe").

But I digress... this too was my first thought. What did your vet say regarding preventative measures for reoccurance?

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Yeah, Jemma had a staph infection this summer as a result of a parasite from ducks (swimmer's itch). It's not ulcers so much as a crazy bleeding rash.

Good luck finding out what's going on.

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Many thanks to all of you for responding.

1. Will be running a second blood test.
2. Antibiotics for the past 5 days appears to have arrested the spread and drainiing of sores.
3. Appetite has improved.
4. Bowel movements still contain mucous, but this may be from medications.
5. Vet will be performing more tests this week in an attempt to come up with the cause if possible. We are completely bewildered as to what this dog has been in contact with. Whatever it was, had to reach her in her kennel or inside the home. Spider or ? Plants have been ruled out.

Again, Thank You

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I just wanted to say glad your girl is improving and fingers crossed for a complete recovery.

Btw, welcome to the forum and we'd love to see some pics of her.

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IM also glad to hear things seem to be a bit better, keeping fingers crossed for you and your rottie. Hopefully all will be figured out soon

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