Red dots under dog’s armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair (Part 5)

Hi Wei Ling,
I am encouraged that she is less moody, and seems more happy. Although her legs, tail, and neck, seem to be the most inflamed area of her body at this time. And it seems those areas are where she is scratching the most. In Hering’s Law of Cure, he states that healing occurs from top to bottom, from front to back and from inside to outside. Xuan Xuan seems to be following the rules!

I am not sure why she had the sudden outburst of itching now, 6 weeks after the remedy. But if it is continuing, then she may need a repeat of the Sulphur 1M. Otherwise, we need to wait longer.

You wrote,
“Antronex and Immuplex is running low…. Does she need to continue both? Is there any other medicine or supplement that you would want her to be on?”

Yes, she DOES need to continue both of these. Also, she should be on Omega 3 fish oils. Give her about 100mg per meal two times daily in her food. You can cut a gel capsule or pierce it with a pin and squeeze out a small amount, 2-3 drops from a 1,000 mg capsule. Or purchase the liquid form of Omega 3. But sometimes the liquid form does not have as long a shelf life and tends to oxidize and turn rancid faster than the gel capsules.

If you are able to get some RESCUE REMEDY, then add 10-20 drops of the Rescue Remedy to 3 or 4 oz of Spring Water in a spray bottle. You can then use this to spray on her skin anywhere that she is itching or licking. Since Rescue Remedy tends to decrease anxiety, it will also help to CALM the skin, and if she licks it, then she will also become more calm and not so frantic to itch. You cannot overdose her, use it as often as needed. It is a Bach Flower essence, and the ‘original’ form is in alcohol. That is OK since you will be diluting it in Spring Water.

If she is continuing to improve, then we will wait another month. Otherwise, send me an update sooner if she is NOT continuing to improve. Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

31 January

Dear Dr Tillman,

Xuan Xuan’s is even more itchy this week. She is scratching non-stop throughout the day except the times where she fell asleep.

She scratches her underside, the side of her body, her front legs, her neck, her ears and face and even the area between her eyes. She bites her thinghs, legs and tail. Some of these area are wounded because of her scratching and biting and has little dots of clotted red blood (like those people with eczema) although she recovered within 2-3 days. Her skin on underside, which is hairless now, has lumpy skin even after bathing. Her legs and underside is patchy pinkish due to the scratching and biting.

I started applying coconut oil on her skin and leaving it for 2 hours before washing off. I stopped doing that since she was better after the 30c. I started it again last friday and yesterday. Hope that will prevent inflammation and help hair growth. She is smelly hours after bathing.

Just to clarify some points from your previous answers. The outburst I am referring to is after the this dosage since 7 weeks ago. She is still on Salmon oil since you ask me to start her on that many months ago – one pump twice daily. I spray her with rescue remedy and aloe vera. I placed the diluted Rescue Remedy in a little spray can. How long can I use it? Will it be still effective after a few days since alcohol evaporates? Can I buy the human version of rescue remedy off the shelf in Singapore as my rescue remedy will be running out soon?

As I go back to read about all the symptoms of dogs who needs sulphur, she fits perfectly. However, she has aggreviation at this point in time makes me a little puzzled. Could sulphur be unsuitable for her and thus cause her to surface all the symptoms of sulphur? I am just puzzled.

By the way, she had a boot of diarrhea last week because I changed her diet to lightly boiled salmon. I have since changed back to chicken and her stools are back to normal.

January 31, 2012.
7.5 weeks after 2nd Dosage of Sulphur 1M

Hi Wei Ling,

You wrote,
“she has aggravation at this point in time makes me a little puzzled. Could sulphur be unsuitable for her and thus cause her to surface all the symptoms of sulphur?”

Yes, Wei Ling, that is what I am considering also. Not that she may be ‘proving’ the remedy, (you put it very well, ‘to bring to the surface all of the symptoms of sulphur), but when she had the sulphur at the lower potency, it seemed to fit the case, and she had a fairly good response. Now that we have increased the potency even higher, it is NOT such a good ‘fit’, indicating that it is an incorrect remedy.

You also wrote,
“By the way, she had a bout of diarrhea last week because I changed her diet”

This symptom is rather specific for one remedy, Nux vomica. It is also a remedy that is the ‘acute’ for Sulphur!

Since that is one clear symptom, it may be best to give her an ‘intercurrent’ remedy at this time, Nux vomica 30c, one time daily for 3 days. This may help to ‘settle’ the vital force, allowing it to regroup and give us some more specific symptoms on which to choose a remedy.

At this time,
1. Itching, must scratch until it bleeds
2. Skin, discoloration red
3. Diarrhea, with least change of diet

Brings Arsenicum album and Mezereum ahead of Sulphur as remedies to consider next.

Give her the Nux vomica 30c for the next 3 days. Hopefully, you have that remedy already. If you need to order it, then let me know how she is doing 7 days after her last dose of Nux Vomica 30c.

You wrote,
I placed the diluted Rescue Remedy in a little spray can. How long can I use it? Will it be still effective after a few days since alcohol evaporates? Can I buy the human version of rescue remedy off the shelf in Singapore as my rescue remedy will be running out soon?

You can use this ‘diluted’ form of Rescue Remedy in Spring Water, until it runs out. The alcohol is basically a preservative, it does not determine the effectiveness of the Rescue Remedy. Yes, you can buy the ‘human’ version of rescue remedy off the shelf. As long as you use it diluted in Spring Water.

Some prominent characteristics of Arsenicum: Very chilly, seems to be cold even in hot weather. Thirsty but usually drinks small amounts frequently, instead of one LONG drink. Skin is very hot, and burning. Violent itching.

Mezereum is WORSE at night, with violent itching, worse with motion and worse to touch. Very sensitive to cold air. Sleeps during the day.

Let me know how she is doing after the Nux vomica.

Continued in SECOND SECTION OF PART FIVE

Hi Wei Ling,
Here is the final part of my response,

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

January 31, 2012

Hi Dr Tillman,

Just to clarify. Xuan Xuan’s stools and diet are back to normal. She had diarrhea beginning of last week when I changed her diet. But she has recovered and are stools are back to normal for the past 3 days. Would she still need Nux vomica? What do you mean when you say the remedy is the “acute” for Sulphur?

Would giving Xuan Xuan a lower dosage of Sulphur such as 200c or 30c be an “antidote” for her case?

As for the two homeopathic medicine:

“Arsenicum: Very chilly, seems to be cold even in hot weather. Thirsty but usually drinks small amounts frequently, instead of one LONG drink. Skin is very hot, and burning. Violent itching.”

Xuan Xuan never seems to be chilly. She loved aircon and sleeps right in front of the fan at night. She doesnt seems thirsty at all and seldom drinks much water especially so when there are water in her food (I added in the water for boiling vegetables).

“Mezereum is WORSE at night, with violent itching, worse with motion and worse to touch. Very sensitive to cold air. Sleeps during the day”

I wouldnt say Xuan Xuan’s itch is worse at night. If she itch, its throughout day and night. But when there is little itching, she sleeps right through. She loves cold air.

Both Nux vomica and Arsenicum is available in 30c but not Mezereum. Couldnt find any higher dosage of all homeopathic medicine.

I was also considering of buying a basic homeopathic kit which consist of Aconite 30C, Arnica 30C, Arsenicum Album 30C, Belladonna 30C, Bryonia 30C, Gelsemium 30C, Nux Vomica 30C, Rhus Tox 30C, Silica 30c and Symphytum 30C. They are all small bottles but much more worth it than buying individual large bottles. I’ve checked out their individual use but will any of these be of use to Xuan Xuan’s condition?

The earliest I can go down to the shop will be in 2 days time. Please let me know whether Xuan Xuan still needs Nux Vomica.

Thank you

7.5 Weeks after Sulphur 1M 2nd Dosage
February 1, 2012

Hi Wei Ling,
Even though Xuan Xuan has recovered and her stool is, now, back to normal, she is still susceptible to diarrhea when her diet is changed, is she not? Therefore, she would be receptive to a dose of Nux vomica.

You wrote,
What do you mean when you say the remedy is the “acute” for Sulphur?

Acute remedies commonly have what is called ‘chronic’ counterparts. Meaning that if the acute remedy is useful, and helps during the acute emergency, such as a seizure, or perhaps an asthma attack, or in her case, diarrhea from a change of diet, the individual might benefit from the chronic remedy to be used as their ‘constitutional’ remedy. But only if their symptoms fit the whole picture for that remedy.

For Xuan Xuan, the Sulphur still seems to fit her symptoms, but she is not responding as well, as we increase the potency. It may be that it is NOT the correct remedy. Or perhaps, she needs to have this ‘acute’ remedy to help heal up this aspect of her disease, before the Sulphur can work to heal her skin. I do not know. We have to see how Xuan Xuan responds.

Yes, giving a lower potency of Sulphur such as 30c or 200c can act as an antidote. But this will not ‘move’ the case along in a healing direction. Giving her an ‘acute’ remedy, such as Nux vomica, which fits a very particular symptom, would be helpful at this stage and hopefully help Xuan Xuan’s vital force to ‘point us in the right direction’ to the appropriate chronic remedy.

As you have clarified details-it seems neither Arsenicum nor Mezereum would fit her symptoms at this time. Therefore, I would suggest to give one dose of Nux vomica 30c. Then wait.

The Basic 30c Homeopathic kit containing all of the remedies you listed, would be wonderful to have on hand for emergency situations for you AND Xuan Xuan to use. Good for accidents or illness. I noticed that Belladonna and Rhus Tox are included. These are remedies that are also useful for red, itchy swollen skin!

After the Nux vomica 30c, send me an update in 7-10 days. Sooner if she is much worse on her itching. Of course, we can give the lower potency of Sulphur if we really need to antidote her response.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi Dr Tillman,

Xuanxuan had one dosage of Nux Vomica a week ago. No significant observation but her itch has somewhat stablished. Still quite itchy and scratching but less than the previous week. Her underside and her limbs are still pink from the scratching but at least it doesn’t bleed. She is not scratching through the night too.

Hi Wei Ling,
7 Days after Nux vomica 30c

OK. I think we will wait another week. She seems to have shown some improvement, although only slight.
You wrote:
1. itch has somewhat stabilized.
2. less than the previous week.
3. She is not scratching through the night

Let me know in one week, (or sooner!) if she relapses and is scratching WORSE.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi Dr Tillman,

Xuan Xuan has been showing very slight improvement over the past 2 weeks till these few days. Brought her for grooming last week and she didnt scratch much more than usual. Overall, her itch is about 4 out of 10.

But past few days, she has two sudden spell of itch. On Sunday, she suddenly scratches her front leg using her hind legs till it bled a little. Had to calm her down by feeding her with 3 drops of Rescue Remedy. Once in a while, she will bite her leg real hard until the small area is very red with no hair.

Today she seems quite ok again.

After grooming, it is quite obvious due to this one to two months of scratching, her backside has a palm-sized area which is totally bare. Her legs and thighs is patchy and has pinkish wounds here and there. Her armpit is still without hair due to her constant scratching of the area.

But she is still happy and occasionally growling nonstop at me to ask me to play ball with her.

2/29/12
3.5 Weeks after Nux Vomica 30c

Hi Wei Ling,
It sounds like Nux vomica is maintaining her. She has no NEW symptom (s) to point the way to a different remedy at this time.

1. Itching skin-bleeding after scratching.
2. Skin discoloration red- after scratching.
3. Hair, baldness.

These are all the same symptoms.

Since, she is “still happy and occasionally growling nonstop at me to ask me to play ball with her”, I suggest repeating another dose of the Nux vomica 30c at this time.

2/29/12 Second dose of Nux vomica 30c.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person

Hi Dr Tillman,

No significant changes these 2 weeks. She’s still scratching and biting her legs and thighs. Her thighs’ hair is getting lesser due to her biting.

Some nights seems to be slightly more itchy than others with her scratching in the middle of the night. On other nights, she sleeps through.

3/12/12

TWO WEEKS AFTER SECOND DOSE OF NUX VOMICA 30C

Hi Wei Ling,
You noted that there are no significant changes at this time. It does seem as if any progress has reached a plateau. I suggest that we wait longer, to see if she is going to get WORSE or if she is going to IMPROVE.

You said she is scratching and biting her legs and thighs–is she also scratching her face, or areas on her body?

If most of the itching is going lower, then that is a good indication that she is improving, as the body heals from top to bottom and from front to back.

You wrote,
Her thigh hair is less, due to biting. Is she biting until she bleeds? If she is just biting, and licking, and not itching until it bleeds, that is also an improvement.

You wrote,
“Some nights she is slightly more itchy than others, with her scratching in the middle of the night. Other nights she sleeps through.”

Are there MORE nights she wakes up to scratch, or MORE nights that she sleeps through?

(Remember to spray her with Rescue Remedy when she is scratching and itching!)

Send another update in two weeks.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Dear Dr Tillman,

Xuan xuan is itching a lot these few days. He underside is already lumpy n swollen. Has to constantly cool her down using both rescue remedy and aloe vera.

No change of diet and whatsoever. Two areas- scratching her underside and biting her tail.

Can I give her bellaodonna?

Now that i start to think back, her itch start after she had passed out a lot of normal stools on Monday. I came back after work to a pee pad full of stools n a lump of it in the living room. She was acting extra friendly when she greeted me but lie flat down when I saw the stools in the living room. I didn’t scold her much.

Few days ago, she swallowed a piece of prawn cracker that dropped onto the floor. Not too big. One-third the size of the palm.

Cant really determine the cause. Allergy? Psychological?

MARCH 20, 2012
THREE WEEKS AFTER SECOND DOSE OF NUX VOMICA 30C

Hi Wei Ling,

With the symptoms you have given, I have listed them below. The remedies that come up at the top are in this order. Belladonna is at the bottom of the list, but if she fits those symptoms, then she may need a dose of Belladonna 30c. (One time daily for three days.)

If she fits one of the other remedies, then that remedy would be the most appropriate. Please comment if you have other questions, so we can determine what is the next bes remdy for Xuan Xuan.

1.Mercurius–the skin is constantly moist, as if sweating, and patient is better if cold
2.Pulsatilla–patient is better in cool, fresh air; seems never to be thirsty.
3.Rhus tox–better with warmth, and better moving around
4. Sulphur–Patient always feels too hot, and is better when cool
5. Arsenicum–very thirsty, very chilly, and wants to be warm
6. Belladonna-skin is VERY RED, DRY, and if skin is touched it turns white, then becomes red again.

Have you searched for fleas, just to make sure that is not a cause. I do not think that a prawn cracker would have caused this quick flare up.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi Dr Tillman,

Mercurius match perfectly to Xuan Xuan’s situation. She constantly feel as if she is sweating badly especially on her underside and armpit. Pulsatilla does matches too. But she does drink water once in a blue moon.

However, I cant find Mercurius in Singapore. The two bigger homeopathic retail shops in Singapore doesnt have it. I’ll call up some Homeopathic clinic tomorrow to see whether they have it. If not, I’ll have to import it from overseas again.

In this case I wont be giving Xuan Xuan Belladonna. She was red and dry and lumpy as if having rashes yesterday. If she continued to scatch, it will be the situation described for Belladonna that she did experienced before. However, today, her skin has cooled down and she is less itchy already.

Do you think I should order both mercurius and pulsatilla (since the cost of the medicine is negligiable compared to the import cost)?

March 21, 2012
3 weeeks after 2nd dose of Nux Vomica 30c

Yes, Wei Ling, I think that you are correct. If Xuan Xuan’s skin is constantly moist as if she is sweating, then Mercurius may be the best remedy for her. Mercurius is NOT indicated if the skin is DRY and red, itchy, etc. From some of the photos you have sent, it appears as if her hair is damp, and that she is sweating. Also, throughout her treatment, she has always had a low thirst which is very typical of Pulsatilla. So, it may be a good idea to have BOTH Mercurius and Pulsatilla on hand. Order them in the 30c potency.

Once you have the Mercurius 30c, give her one dose every 8 hours for the first day, then ONE dose one time daily for three days. Keep me posted.

Come back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Dear Dr Tillman,

I was emailing around for places to buy holistic medicine in Singapore and was told of few Indian holistic doctor with clinics in an Indian community area.

Went to search for Mercurius 30c and found it in one of the holistic doctor’s clinic. However, it doesnt come in pre-packed tubes like the ones I bought previously. The doctor opened a small bottle with uncoated pallets and poured some “Mercurius soluables 30c”(as per doctor)into it. He reminded me to shake well before taking

When I opened the bottle after I took it home, the palettes were sticky and the chemical smell was very strong. I am a little apprehensive about giving the pallets to Xuan Xuan.

Does the amount of Mercurius on each pallet makes a difference? There is no way of shaking it unless I dig everything out using a pincer as it is sticky. Or should I still order the pre-packed one from US instead?

APRIL 10, 2012
Regarding the Mercurius Sol 30c

Hi Wei Ling,

What an adventure just to find a remedy!

For the little pellets that seem sticky, it may be due to the high humidity in Singapore, as the pellets may attract the moisture. I am not sure why they would have a chemical smell unless that is the alcohol.

I think it would be ok for Xuan Xuan, if you took ONE pellet and placed it into a glass 2 oz dropper bottle and filled it with Spring Water or filtered water. Label the bottle as Mercurius sol 30c. It may take up to 1-2 hours for the pellet to dissolve. But since the homeopathic remedy is on the surface of the pellet, once it is in contact with the water, the remedy will go into solution immediately.

From this bottle, you can give Xuan Xuan, 1/2 dropperful of the liquid by mouth. (After ‘succussing’ the bottle 20 times-meaning you hit the bottom of the bottle against the palm of your hand 20 times. You should do this before each dose is given.) Give her one dose every 8 hours for the first day, then ONE dose one time daily for three days.

Keep me posted after 3 weeks, sooner if she has any aggravations.

Come back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

CLICK HERE to go to Part 6 of “Red dots under dog’s armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair”

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.