Boils developing on my Yellow Labrador Retriever

Reader's E-mail From: Prashant (Parts Unknown)

Subject: Boils developing on Yellow Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever Name: Maximus

Reader's E-mail - Prashant Writes:

Hi there,

I was just surfing the net to come to some conclusion about my labrador problem.
My labs name is Maximus about 15 months old. The problem i am facing with him is that since he was brought he is getting small boils on his body dats one reason why he keeps biting himself to get relief from dat itching. But recently those boils have increased a lot all over his body. One problem might be dat he has skin but not very sure about it dat it the reason for boils.

Please conclude my problem and give me a proper resolution for it.

Thanks,
Prashant

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hi Prashant,

Thanks for writing and visiting the All About Labradors blog..

I understand your Labrador is getting boils, but I'm not sure of the second part of your letter. Can you please clarify the " One problem might be dat he has skin but not very sure about it dat it the reason for boils" part of your e-mail. Thanks

Talk to you soon,

Fay

Reader's E-mail - Prashant's Response:

Hi Fay,

Thanks for replying to my mail. My lab has got dry skin so dat might be the problem for these boils.Right now he is losing hair tremendously and those patches are visible right now. Also attached is the photo of Maximus.

Waiting for your reply.

Thanks,
Prashant

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Continue Reading...


Hello Prashant,

The information given here is to help you learn more about your Labrador Retriever and not to replace your veterinarian's advice. Disclaimer

Thank you for the great photo of Maximus. What a wonderful looking boy he is.

In regards to the boils, dry skin and hair loss in Maximus, I recommend that you should definitely take him to your veterinarian. He is itching to get some relief, and if he continues to itch, he can break them open (which might have occurred already), causing bleeding/pus, and this will only make the infection worse.

When your Labrador Retriever starts getting boils, it is usually a sign of infection. What is important to know when your Labrador does get boils, is to find the cause of them.

Infected hair follicles, demodex, insufficient diet, weaken immune systems, yeast infections, and a build of of toxins can all lead to the formation of boils.

A warm compress applied to the swollen areas. Leave the warm compress on for 5 minutes and then remove. Doing this several times a day can help to soften the area, which can help it to open up and drain. When it does open up, make sure you apply an antibiotic ointment to the area several times throughout the day.

Word of caution: Do not try to "pop" or lance a boil as it could drive the infection deeper into the tissue of the skin.

Bathing Maximus twice a month with an antibacterial shampoo can also be of great help to prevent future infection in him. Your vet can help recommend one for Maximus.

Besides helping to recommend a shampoo for you, your veterinarian will probably do a skin scrapping and biopsy to try to diagnose the condition. Blood tests, minor surgery and antibiotics are also possibilities.

Home Remedy Tip: I have read that juice from raw garlic (crush it and extract the juice) applied to the affected areas can be helpful in healing skin boils and other skin infections. Source: petspourri.com - Garlic Juice for your pets!

Other possible help:

Feed a high quality dog food. If you need help with this, let me know.

Add supplements to help support the immune system - essential fatty acids (3V Capsules, DermCaps), probiotics and antioxidants.

For the dry, itching skin:

A occasional cool bath can be very soothing, especially if you use an oatmeal shampoo (helps relieve dry irritated skin) or add a little colloidal oatmeal (like Aveeno) to the water.

To relieve the discomfort of sores caused by scratching, apply some Aloe Vera several times a day (100 % pure kind).

A Hydrocortisone Shampoo can also be used for the itching (they have Hydrocortisone Shampoo with Aloe Vera Gel in them). After shampooing my sure you rinse very, very well.

Prashant, you didn't send me any information in regards to the hair loss in Maximus and with the many different causes of hair loss (allergies, mange, fleas, Granulomas, Ringworm, and Seborrhea, just to name a few) it is hard to narrow down a possible condition.

If you would like, you can give me some further information on Maximus hair loss (areas of, shapes, discolorations, hair condition, etc), and see what we can find out.

If you do send the info on the hair loss, please also answer these two questions.

Does Maximus have ears infections?

Do you or anyone in your home itch?

Hope this is of help to you and Maximus. If you don't understand anything, please ask.

Take care of yourself and Maximus,

Fay

To see a photo of Maximus, visit: Maximus 01/19/07

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