Searching for a Vetinary Dermatologist

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  1. #11

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    Mar 2007
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    The blood test for checking possible allergens is not as sensitive as an intradermal skin test (which is the best method).

    As for acupuncture or any other alternative medicine, Please show me some quality evidence (accurate well performed trial) that proves that acupuncture is beneficial for a skin problem. These may work somewhat for people as a placebo effect but they most certainly will not in people. They have shown people have responded just as well to sham acupuncture needles placed in random positions and not in the correct manner (not along meridian lines and pressure points) and also people will respond to toothpicks that don't even penetrate the skin suggesting any response is simply a placebo.

    Alternative medicines are not as safe as people think. For example, traditional chinese medicines and herbs (which are given in raw forms and uncontrolled doses) can be overdosed and toxic. Not all herbs are safe especially to pets e.g lillies may be natural, organic, herbal etc but they will destroy a cat's kidneys. Also these herbal medicines have been shown to add ingredients like steroids (often at far higher doses than normally prescribed).

    As for acupuncture being very safe. Known side effects include bruising, pain, dizziness, vomiting and nausea. More serious problems include infection (spread of viruses and bacteria) through the needles (especially if not sterilized properly) and worse still, damage to organs and nerves when placing the needles.

    It has been known for lungs to be punctured by chest needles (causing a serious condition called pneumothorax). Also kidneys have been damaged when needles have been in the back and the brain damaged when placed at the base of the skull. People have even died from needles penetrating the heart!!


  2. #12

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    to the best of my knowledge, the blood test is very sensitive, but is probably far less less specific than intradermal testing (a lot of false positives). intradermal testing used to only be done by sepcialist due to the cost of the allergens/injections, and the need to be trained to interpret it. there is a "new" blood test, BTW, which has received very good rapport from dermatologists in Oz, especially if access to a specialist is limited, FWIW.

    Last edited by dropdedfwed; 28-06-2009 at 09:06 PM. Reason: spellin'

  3. #13

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    Oct 2005
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    Mid-levels, Hong Kong
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    hkcj, my best guess will be that it's a diet issue.

    Innova Evo is a great dog food (one of the best out there) due to its high protein content. It is a good practice to read the ingredients of any dog food; first two ingredients should be meat or meat products. This website gives an analysis of the major dog food available and I find it indispensable: Dog Food Reviews - Main Index - Powered by ReviewPost

    Orijen is another brand I trust - very, very good quality and also TOTALLY grain-free. Grains are usually the culprits that cause skin allergies. Try any of these two foods for a month and see if the situation improve?

    These brands aren't cheap though. It makes sense as meat is more expensive than grain, but at least you know that it's a lot better than the crap dog foods (e.g. Science Diet) out there!

    Good luck


  4. #14

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  5. #15

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    Jun 2009
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    If there is a more efficient and reliable test out there for Smarties to take in order to help reduce his itching and scratching I would definitely not mind shelling out the money to help him. Problem is I really don't know where I can help him take those test. The only thing that I can help him with, is to look for a second opinion from the well mentioned vets in this topic, and to try and nag my parents about all the negative points to feeding him z/d. I actually brought a bag of Orijen 6 fish formula from Toronto to HK on my last visit home. The vet found out (my mum's too honest...) and now that great food is being used as an occasional treat for my other small dog.


  6. #16

    YOu can try Dr. Paul Essey at Wanchai Animal Clinic. He sorted my labs skin problems. He is very good. HOwever, you need to realise that my dog had skin problems for years and there is no "cure" for skin allergies. YOu will only dissapoint yourself. JUST LIKE PEOPLE with asthma you have to learn to live with the problem and manage it. If you expect your dog to be allergy free you will be sorely dissapointed and I agree you will waste your money on hocus pocus herbal remedies and acupuncture and other rubbish.


  7. #17

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    Hi David,

    It's good Dr Paul helped your dog, though I would be interested to hear if he did anything radically different to any other qualified and experienced vet in HK. There's a limit to what one can do for this sort of thing, and there's no magic - the only magic is that of winning client complience, as most skin allergy issues are often therapeutic trial and error, and vary slightly from case to case.

    as far as chinese/herbal/homeopathic remedies go - I do tend to be cynical here as well as you, however, there are some of these remedies that have scientific basis behind them. Some. The other factor is that, generally speaking, a lot of "western" medical techniques tend to be symptomatic, ie short term therapies. herbal/alternate medicines tend to be more long sighted, and also (possibly) less effective short term. they're often based on "lifestyle", and thus are referred to as "hollistic", which is a term that basically (incorrectly) insinuates that all "western" medical practice does not take a "hollistic" view. a good mix of both can be quite effective, though obviously professional advice is recommended as some herbal remedies can interact with veterinary medicines.

    just my 2 bob,

    DDF


  8. #18

    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    145

    Had same problem a few years ago, went through all the tests, foods, etc.
    Finally a down-to earth clever vet. gave her a course of CLOMIPRAMINE tablets to take every day, she was back to normal within two weeks. I made her finish the the whole bottle (one month)
    Hope this helps.


  9. #19

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    Sep 2009
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    Hong Kong
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    check out this brand of dog food - Orijen 6 fish - sold in SPCA, it may help to improve skin condition. I believe the website is www.championdogfoods.com


  10. #20

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    6

    Hi everyone, thanks for all the recommendations. This past summer I've been trying to figure out exactly what Smarties is on and what other things I can do for him. As of now, he is doing acupuncture once a week, taking Atopica once everything two weeks and having oatmeal conditioner applied to his most affected area once a day. I've also changed his diet from Hill's Z/D to Orijen 6 fish against the vet's wishes. Having eaten it for a month, me and my family could definitely see a great change in his behaviour, being so much more energetic and lively. However, once I tried to tell my vet, she was really not happy at all, in actual fact, berating me for doing something so outrageous. Now that I'm out of the country again, my mum doesn't really know how to approach the vet, and actually told her that we will change Smarties diet back to Hill's Z/D. Ugh...