Red dots under dog’s armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair (Part 7)

September 23, 2012
Approximately 80 days since last dose of Mercurius sol.
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Hi Wei Ling,
WOW, Xuan Xuan looks great!! That is the first ‘whole body’ photo that I have seen of her without wearing a T-shirt!

You wrote,
“We have tried quite a few homeopathic remedies, but it seems they are not a perfect match.”

Yes, you are correct! It seems that Xuan Xuan has ‘combination’ problems, with chronic illness due to allergies, suppressed immune system due to conventional medicine and inherited or genetic weakness toward allergic dermatitis.

In these situations with a vital force that is unable to clearly bring out specific symptoms, it is VERY difficult to prescribe for ‘vague’ symptoms such as itching, hair loss, thickened skin, since there are SO many different remedies that will be useful for the same thing. We have to find a specific symptom that will lead us to a remedy to show that Xuan Xuan’s itching/thickened skin is DIFFERENT than any other dog’s itching.

I am not sure if I have explained it very well. In Hahnemann’s terms, you need to look for the symptom that is “rare, strange and peculiar” to that patient, and then it is easier to find the matching remedy that also has the same symptoms!

In Xuan xuan’s case, we have found ‘similar’ remedies, but not the exact ‘similimum’ to match her case and CURE her. Therefore, instead of anymore remedies at this time, it may be best to support her system and give her some relief topically. According to her blood panel July 5, her liver and pancreas were normal.

Therefore, you can STOP the milk thistle.

She should continue the Antronex, this is to help with allergies. You said she is still itching around her eyes and feet. Antronex helps the liver remove histamine from the skin.

She should continue the Immuplex. This helps support the immune system.

Continued in Part 2 below…

Hi Wei Ling,
Here is the rest of my response.

Other immune system supplements are: Missing Link and Mega C.

I think that you are making her diet at home. She needs to have more Omega 3 fish oils, up to 500 mg per day. Or more if she does not have any loose stool. (Up to 1,000 mg per day–can be 500 mg two times daily.)

You can rub coconut oil into her elbows and base of her tail daily. It is ok if she licks it.

I am not sure why she is WORSE after a bath. (That is a peculiar symptom. Unless it is due to the type of shampoo.) Is she worse after a shampoo using ‘baby shampoo’. Or a different brand of oatmeal shampoo, such as Virbac brand called Epi-Soothe?

I think Xuan Xuan has come a long way, and is much improved, but I agree that I think we can work on her a bit more to help her skin.

One test that was NOT included in her last blood panel was for thyroid. Has her thyroid level ever been checked?

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Hair Loss Section

4 March 2013

Dear Dr Tillman,

It has been half a year since my last update. Xuan Xuan’s condition has been relatively stable, itch level of 2-3, scratches her armpit but not to the point of bleeding, once in a while biting her feet, tail and base of her tail. She is still happy and playful. She has gained some weight and stout for her frame. Other than her feet and her tail, the body and hips’ hair is so thick that it needs combing alternate days to prevent it from matting.

Though her condition has maintained and manageable, but it hasn’t been moving forward.

She is currently under the following supplements:
1. Immuplex
2. Antronex
3. Missing link
4. Mega C plus
5. Salmon oil

I’m wondering whether we should still try to go back to the homeopathic medicine that has moved her to improve from her initial scratching to the current itch on her feet and tail.

Both sulphur 1M and mercurius 30c are both still quite near her symptoms. She’s still sweating especially under ger armpit although she can remain nice smelling for near to a week. She stills love aircon and fan.

The other thing I am worried about is her vaccination. She has not been on any vaccination for more than 2 years. In Singapore, most dog goes for 2 yearly vaccines:

1. 7-in-1 yearly maintaince jab consisting of
Canine Distemper Virus
Canine Adenovirus Type 1
Canine Adenovirus Type 2
Canine Parainfluenza Virus
Canine Coronavirus
Canine Parvovirus
Leptospira canicola and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae

2. Heart worm jab

I am quite alright not going for the 7-in-1 as Xuan Xuan doesn’t go to the dog park much and our walk at the park only end up interact with pet dogs. But I’m a little worried about heart worm as these few years the mosquito spread issues like dengue fever seems quite high. Should I bring her for a heart worm test? Would heartworm pills such as heartgard plus cause less reaction and allergy compared to heartworm jab?

Hi Wei Ling,
March 5, 2013
Good to hear from you, and thank you for the updated photo of Xuan Xuan! She looks good. Yes, I think that resuming homeopathic treatment might do some good and help to heal her a little more.

From your description of her skin, she has improved:
her armpits still seem moist/sweaty, but she can stay smelling nice for a week,
She does not scratch until she bleeds.
Her scratching is mostly her tail, feet and elbows. (Which is the correct direction of healing to occur, from front to back, top to bottom)
Her itching is at level of 2-3/10
Her elbows are very thickened, with deep cracks. (Continue to apply the coconut oil at least one time daily)
It appears she still has dry skin with dandruff.
From my list of symptoms below, Sulphur is still the top remedy.
(Although you can see that Mercurius comes in 4th)

1.Skin hard, with thickening
2.Skin, cracks fissures
3.Skin itching without eruptions
4.Skin General

Top remedies are Sulphur, Arsencum , Sepia, Mercurius, and Calcurea Carbonia.

Sulphur 1M was last given November 2011.
First dose of Mercurius 30c was given April 2012, followed by 3 doses one to two months apart.

Mercurius seemed to move the case forward for awhile, but it was not the curative remedy. Sulphur may be the closest remedy to move toward cure. Although, giving her another dose of Sulphur 1M may cause some aggravation, I am hopeful that she is now at a healthier level and will be able to tolerate this dose without an aggravation. Keep me posted on her responses. If she has problems with another dose of Sulphur 1M, then I am considering her start on Sulphur LM 1 potency. This seems to be more acceptable to some individuals, without a big aggravation. And it is usually given one to two times daily.

As for vaccinations, since she had SO many vaccinations when she was younger, and I believe that you had antibody titers done, (correct me if I am wrong), which showed she had protective levels, she will be fine if you never give her any more vaccinations for the rest of her life! You did not mention if Rabies is required for Singapore.

In which case, if so, then see if they would accept a Rabies antibody titer in lier of a vaccination. And a veterinarian may be able to write an exemption form for you. As for Heartworm protection, YES, she should be taking Heartgard. I advise giving one tab every 45 days, instead of every 30 days. This will still provide protection, with a little lower drug level in the system.

You mentioned a Heartworm ‘jab’. I think you are referring to the injectable heartworm injection, (ProHeart?). I do NOT advise the injectable heartworm protection. The oral Heartgard, (not Heartgard Plus), will provide enough protection, given every 45 days.

Please keep us posted!

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: 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,

Singapore has been rabies free for half a century. No rabies jab is required. I’ll start resuming her heartworm pills every 45 days. In Singapore, the more common heartworm prevention is an yearly jab in replacement of the pills.

I’ll put her on sulphur 1M in two weeks time when I’m having holidays

Hi Wei Ling,
March 6, 2013

You wrote,
“Singapore has been rabies free for half a century. No rabies jab is required.”

That’s good!

You wrote,
“I’ll start resuming her heartworm pills every 45 days. In Singapore, the more common heartworm prevention is an yearly jab in replacement of the pills.”

If she has not had a heartworm test in over 6 months, (especially if she has been off heartworm prevention for over 6 months, she should have a heartworm test prior to re-starting Heartgard.

You wrote,
“I’ll put her on sulphur 1M in two weeks time when I’m having holidays.”
Sounds like a plan! Keep me posted for her response to the Sulphur 1M.

Take care,
Dr. Tillman
DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

12 Apr 2013

Dear Dr Tillman,

Xuan Xuan took a dosage of Sulphur 1M 3 weeks ago. She was slightly more itchy the first 2 weeks (about 3.5/10), doesn’t really scratch more but bites her feet, tail and thigh more. But this time the aggrevation seems relatively more mild.

Her heart worm test shows her free from heartworm but I’ll test again in half a year. So I allow her aggrevation to stablise a little and only gave her the heartguard on 8 Apr, more than two weeks after Sulphur and only after her itch has stablise.

However, these few days she has been having diarrhea, passing soft stools (not liquid ones) with jelly at the end, a few times a week.

I am thinking of giving her nux vomica or arsen alb or cod liver oil. But does it interfere with Sulphur? Xuan Xuan’s diarrhea is not very serious but it persist for quite a few days already.

I think it still have to observe a few weeks the effect of the Sulphur but seems like she is back to her itch level before the dosage.

Hi Wei Ling,
April 12, 2013
It is good to hear from you about Xuan Xuan.

Just to summarize, you wrote,
Sulphur 1M given about 3 weeks ago, caused mild aggravation in itching, which is now subsiding.

Heartgard given April 8, 4 days ago.

Now, for the past few days she has had soft stool, not liquid, with ‘jelly’ at the end. This sounds like colitis. It is an inflammation of the colon, the ‘jelly’ is the increased mucous production from her colon. Colitis may be due to the Heartgard, or can be caused by stress, parasites, change of diet, or possible due to the Sulphur. But the Sulphur dose was given over 4 weeks ago, so I think too much time has passed for this to be related.

If you give another homeopathic remedy, it may interfere with the Sulphur. Therefore, if you can add some acidophilus to her food, two times daily, (about 1/4 the dose for a human) that should help to restore her to a normal stool. Continue to add it for 1 week until she has normal stool.

If she is not improving over the weekend, I suggest one dose three times daily of Nux vomica 6C or 12C, for three days. Nux vomica is the ‘acute’ complement of Sulphur. And it should help.

Do not give her any oils, that may cause more diarrhea.

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Aug 11, 2013

Dear Dr Tillman,

Xuan Xuan condition was rather manageable for the past months. About one month ago, I started her on transfer factor for canine in addition to all her existing supplements. I noticed a few things which I do not know whether it is linked to that.

1. She stopped having flaky dandruff that used to cover the sofa and floor. It was very obvious as my sofa no longer needs vacuum every few days.

2. These few weeks, she has this blackhead like thing on her pores on her entire side and her armpit area. There are also dirt like sticky small dots that can be scratched away. When I bathe her, I tried to scrub away the “blackheads”. Some bigger ones and the dirt like spots goes away. But after a week, it seems to appear again.

Other than that, her energy level has been relatively high and seems to be playing happily everyday.

Btw, I have another rescue mongrel puppy in the house who is having rickets due to malnutrition at birth. The puppy is on crate rest and I put the puppy under direct sunlight for half an hour every day. As a result, Xuan Xuan also goes under the sun more than usual this month. Does it affect her skin as well?

Please advise if the blackhead looking thing that goes deep into the pores but can be squeeze out needs immediate medical attention. She doesn’t seems to be affected by it.

(I couldn’t find the link to post a new question and upload the photo. I went through my email as well as logging into my Paypal to click on the subscription that I paid this month but could not find the link.)

November 19, 2013

Here is my response to your question from August 11, 2013: BLACKHEADS ON UNDERSIDE

Hi Wei ling,
Apparently your question from August did not come through until now! I apologize for such a late response.

It is not unusual for skin to develop these blackheads/ clogged pores when the skin has been chronically inflamed and is still not completely normal. Treatment involves cleaning with soap and water first, squeezing out or scraping off the blackheads, one to two times per week, followed by a light rubbing alcohol to swab the area. This acts as an astringent to ‘shrink’ the pores. Since she has a rather large area to swab, she will probably object to having that much alcohol used on her, and also it might ‘sting’!

Therefore, I suggest you substitute witch hazel. It is a good astringent, the smell is not objectionable, and it will not sting her.

You may also need to repeat one dose of the Sulphur 1M.

You wrote,
*****“I have another rescue mongrel puppy in the house who is having rickets due to malnutrition at birth. The puppy is on crate rest and I put the puppy under direct sunlight for half an hour every day. As a result, Xuan Xuan also goes under the sun more than usual this month. Does it affect her skin as well?*******

No, it will not affect her skin, and in fact, may help it! Although, it is not typical for a patient that needs Sulphur to want to lie in the sun! Patients with bad skin that are itching, are usually very *hot*. I would think that lying in the sun would make them more uncomfortable, and even hotter, so I am not sure why she would choose to lay in the sun. Can you provide more details?

You wrote,
****I couldn’t find the link to post a new question and upload the photo. I went through my email as well as logging into my Paypal to click on the subscription that I paid this month but could not find the link.********

The webmaster says he will send you an email to see if you would like to re-subscribe. As your subscription has run out.

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.