Antibiotic-Resistant Staph Infection

[okaygreatthanks]

Also there should be NO vaccinations given! Vaccines are only given to healthy animals. When was the last time he was vaccinated, and all these issues began?

Also, most vets will only treat symptoms and not take time for true causes for a cure.

For sure work on keeping the gut healthy since all these antibiotics also kill good bacteria and upset the microbiome in the gut. 80% of the Immune System is located in the gut. I would continue giving probiotics for months. Can also add Raw Goats milk from Primal Raw Pet Foods. Or Answers Raw Goats milk.
They have lots of good bacteria to help the gut.

His last vaccine was Rabies on 11/16/23 (isolated from his last DAPP shot, which was around the end of September), so it was a few months before the issues began at the end of February.

We always have him on probiotics, but I’ll definitely look into a better brand than PPP. Raw goats milk is great, and he’s done well on it before, so I should add that back in during this antibiotic course!

 

[strykerdobe]

His last vaccine was Rabies on 11/16/23 (isolated from his last DAPP shot, which was around the end of September), so it was a few months before the issues began at the end of February.

We always have him on probiotics, but I’ll definitely look into a better brand than PPP. Raw goats milk is great, and he’s done well on it before, so I should add that back in during this antibiotic course!

Great the Rabies vaccine was separated from other vaccines.
Ok just for info reactions from vaccinations can be immediate to days and weeks later.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

Good news – Remy’s thyroid panel came back normal!

Now that we’ve ruled that out as a cause of his skin issues, it seems increasingly likely that it’s allergy-related. I went ahead and ordered the Nutriscan test (hopefully insurance will reimburse; I submitted a claim) so that we can figure out if it’s a specific food and tune his diet accordingly sooner than later.

He just started on the Zeniquin today, and I’m being extra vigilant in monitoring for any side effects. We got him the Rx Biotic probiotics (which @strykerdobe had recommended in a few other threads, thank you!)…it sounds like it’s especially good for pairing with antibiotics, so I’m hoping it’ll help soothe his gut. Zeniquin can’t be given with dairy products, so we have to hold off on the goat’s milk for now (and his favorite training treat: string cheese…bummer!) We’ll get that incorporated once he’s finished this course.

And we have a liver panel re-check in a couple weeks from now (halfway through this antibiotic course) to keep tabs on that in relation to the Zeniquin.

Remy's a happy-go-lucky guy, but I can tell the staph infection is uncomfortable/painful for him: dips in energy levels and some disinterest in training and playing. He’s also been nipping, which he hasn’t done since he was finishing his teething phase (another reason I wanted the thyroid test, as it's out of character), so I’m attributing it to him being in pain. Poor guy. It's mainly when he's playing, but also occasionally if we're busy doing something else and he wants attention...he'll cruise up and give us a little "Doberman Pinch" with those front chompers. I feel bad giving him corrections for nipping when he’s feeling poorly, but I also know we can’t allow it.

We’ve had to stop using his prong and switch to his e-collar for corrections because he has some staph lesions on his neck that I don’t want to disturb. The e-collar is fine around the house, but not really ideal for walks (I’m not coordinated enough to hold the leash, the transmitter, and get the timing on the correction right). Of course he’s using this opportunity to test us with pulling in his harness during structured walks, so it’s been a lot of stop and go.

I’m doing my best not to get discouraged by being set back on the nipping, his leash manners and leash reactivity progress, but it’s been trying while worrying about all his health concerns simultaneously. Any thoughts or advice on how we could handle these behavioral hiccups better given the current need to shift our usual tools/equipment are welcome and appreciated!

 

[Ravenbird]

It sounds like you're doing all the things you can possibly do. I sure hope the Zeniquin helps!

dips in energy levels and some disinterest in training and playing. He’s also been nipping, which he hasn’t done since he was finishing his teething phase

so I’m attributing it to him being in pain. Poor guy. It's mainly when he's playing, but also occasionally if we're busy doing something else and he wants attention...he'll cruise up and give us a little "Doberman Pinch" with those front chompers. I feel bad giving him corrections for nipping when he’s feeling poorly, but I also know we can’t allow it.

So when you say nipping, you are talking about a playful pinch? "mainly when playing" - means you're tugging or playing ball and he misses and gets you by accident? or ignores the toy and goes for you instead? I can't recall how old he is without scrolling back - is he a year old? Basically, in my opinion, if he's playing and nipping or if he wants your attention and nips, it is not because of pain. He's just being a pushy adolescent. If he honestly is playing and misses a target tug or ball and gets you instead I wouldn't correct him. This is what I call getting in the field of play. Not his fault. The pushing for attention or something by using his teeth? I'd put a stop to that with a sharp "no" and if he thinks it's funny and comes back then I'd put him on a down on his bed or crate for a short time-out. All fun ends if he abuses rules. Don't feel bad because of his skin problems. If he ever snaps at you for touching his raw skin, THAT would be because of pain, but not playing or poking at you for attention.

We’ve had to stop using his prong and switch to his e-collar for corrections because he has some staph lesions on his neck that I don’t want to disturb. The e-collar is fine around the house, but not really ideal for walks (I’m not coordinated enough to hold the leash, the transmitter, and get the timing on the correction right). Of course he’s using this opportunity to test us with pulling in his harness during structured walks, so it’s been a lot of stop and go.

You can do it! A harness will invite him to pull, and yes he'll use it as an opportunity to test you and just get harder and harder to control. If he can wear an e-collar, you can attach the leash to that. Mine has a leash ring, I think most of them do. Use a low setting or the vibrate button. Snug it up at the top of his neck just under the ears where it won't slip down. Dog & leash on your left, transmitter in your right hand, finger on the button you want to use, you don't have to even look at it. Try the vibrate, it's harmless and Asha actually dislikes it more than a stem. I'm saying this assuming you've practiced working with it in the house and are familiar with it. Correct me if I'm wrong or if you have questions.

 

[Kswoodssue]

To be honest, the prong is probably the cleanest collar to use. It would not cause over heating underneath, and can be disinfected after use. It would contain the least amount of surface area in contact with the skin. That Staph may take months to clear up. In the meantime, training continues. I am so sorry you have this going on.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

So when you say nipping, you are talking about a playful pinch? "mainly when playing" - means you're tugging or playing ball and he misses and gets you by accident? or ignores the toy and goes for you instead? I can't recall how old he is without scrolling back - is he a year old? If he honestly is playing and misses a target tug or ball and gets you instead I wouldn't correct him. This is what I call getting in the field of play. Not his fault.

He's 15 months old now! When it's happening during play, it's definitely more deliberate nipping than "oops I missed the ball" – more like how puppies will nip and check each other, but he's doing it with us.

The pushing for attention or something by using his teeth? I'd put a stop to that with a sharp "no" and if he thinks it's funny and comes back then I'd put him on a down on his bed or crate for a short time-out. All fun ends if he abuses rules. Don't feel bad because of his skin problems. If he ever snaps at you for touching his raw skin, THAT would be because of pain, but not playing or poking at you for attention.

This is exactly how we approach it: a stern "no bite!", and 2-3 minute crate time-out. Do you think we should do a little buzz with the e-collar too, or not necessary?

It's odd that this phase is repeating...I thought we'd nipped the nipping in the bud during teething. Maybe I've been mollycoddling him too much (things like sitting on the floor with him, switching out of the prong collar to the harness – which is necessary for now) but he probably sees it as an opportunity to challenge us as the leaders (he does it with my husband too).

You can do it! A harness will invite him to pull, and yes he'll use it as an opportunity to test you and just get harder and harder to control. If he can wear an e-collar, you can attach the leash to that. Mine has a leash ring, I think most of them do. Use a low setting or the vibrate button.

I can use his regular flat collar along with the e-collar and will try this on walks!

I'm saying this assuming you've practiced working with it in the house and are familiar with it. Correct me if I'm wrong or if you have questions.

Oh yes! We usually use vibrate as the first correction, which typically he obeys, because he knows it'll escalate to a zap if he ignores it.

Thank you so much for always offering up advice, I really appreciate it!

 

[okaygreatthanks]

To be honest, the prong is probably the cleanest collar to use. It would not cause over heating underneath, and can be disinfected after use. It would contain the least amount of surface area in contact with the skin.

I hadn't thought of it that way! I've been worrying the prongs would dig into the lesions and irritate them, but maybe I should test it out for a quick walk and see.

That Staph may take months to clear up. In the meantime, training continues. I am so sorry you have this going on.

Thank you, it's been tough to juggle treating the staph and not compromising training, but we'll get through it!

 

[Ravenbird]

it's been tough to juggle treating the staph and not compromising training, but we'll get through it!

but he probably sees it as an opportunity to challenge us as the leaders (he does it with my husband too).

I think that's what may be happening. These dang Dobes are so ready to take a mile if you give them an inch! Lowering your boundaries with him because of the staph infection? He won't connect the dots there, he'll just think you've lowered the boundaries and take advantage of it.

 

[Ravenbird]

o be honest, the prong is probably the cleanest collar to use. It would not cause over heating underneath, and can be disinfected after use. It would contain the least amount of surface area in contact with the skin. That Staph may take months to clear up. In the meantime, training continues.

This makes a ton of good sense. Especially if just used on his walks. The harness definitely will cover & heat up much more skin area, plus encourage pulling and would hold bacteria if not disinfected after every use.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

@Ravenbird @Kswoodssue thank you both so much for talking this through with me and for your suggestions. I tend to be an overthinker and need objective views to help connect the dots!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Agree with the others and would also stop sitting on the floor with him.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

We’ve moved back to the prong (with a back-up collar, which I always have just in case, making sure to sanitize both after each use) and that was a great call, thank you @Kswoodssue Hasn’t irritated/impeded healing at all!

I’m so happy to report that his coat is looking INCREDIBLE after just about 4 full days on the Zeniquin. His staph lesions have drastically improved, and you hardly see any raised areas at all anymore. I’ll have to take some “after” photos of his coat later this week to share with y’all, but we are so pleased.

I don’t want to jinx anything, but his energy has been improving, his poops have been firm (on an antibiotic — what?!! the new probiotic formula is like magic…had to stop myself from sharing a poop pic too lol) and he has seemed more like his former self: compliant, eager to work and please. Haven’t seen any ill effects thus far, and I hope it stays that way.

The nipping is getting better too…probably helps that I’m not sitting on the floor with him anymore. Sometimes you just need to type things out to realize where you’re going wrong.

 

[Ravenbird]

He looks great!!! Keep up all your wonderful work with him - physical ailments and training - you're doing it all right.

 

[Ddski5]

Oh wow!!

That is a great picture.
He is so handsome.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

He looks great!!! Keep up all your wonderful work with him - physical ailments and training - you're doing it all right.

Oh wow!!

That is a great picture.
He is so handsome.

Aww thank you both so much!!

 

[JanS]

He looks awesome and I'm glad things are getting better! Don't ever worry about sharing a poop photo since we all watch it when it is such a big health indicator.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

He looks awesome and I'm glad things are getting better! Don't ever worry about sharing a poop photo since we all watch it when it is such a big health indicator.

Haha thank you, Doberman people get it!

 

[Kswoodssue]

He is beautiful. Hope things keep going well!

 

[Rits]

Handsome boy! Glad to hear the meds are working!

 

[Kaiser2016]

the new probiotic formula is like magic…had to stop myself from sharing a poop pic too lol)

I know the feeling!