Skin Rashes

[sorendarby]

Hello!
I have a 1 year 9 month old Sphynx named Nala who has been experiencing skin issues for the last year. When this first started, I had taken her to the urgent care vet the morning that it appeared, and the vet gave us an antibiotic for her skin and a gel for her eyes. This seemed to clear this up for a few weeks, and then the rash and itching began to appear again with the watery eyes. I followed up with our primary vet, and she said that it looked like it could be food allergies, and to do an elimination diet. She said it was most likely a chicken or fish allergy since she was on mainly a chicken and fish diet, so we switched to a limited ingredient duck and pea wet and dry food by Natural Balance. The rash still comes and goes, but it seems like lately it has become constant, and I have yet to get a decently straight answer on what to do next from the vet, as I’ve taken her in a few times to address the issue. We have an appointment with a new vet for 6/10, and I am hoping to get some answers and possibly an allergy test.
Another thing that has started within the last few weeks is that she has a constant hunger. She tries to eat everything and anything in sight, even dirt from a potted plant. She was always very food driven and we have been feeding her more to compensate for her hunger.
To note, after bathing, we use the DUOXO calm foam and put a sweater on her so it absorbs into her skin.
Has anybody else’s Sphynx had anything that looked similar, and have you corrected the issue? I just feel defeated, she seems so miserable. My two other Sphynxs don’t have any skin issues, so I have no experience with it.
Any help or insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

No doubt this must be frustrating. You might speak to your vet about performing an intradermal skin test to get to the root of the problem. As far as being super hungry, when was the last time your vet did a blood test?


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[kauna]

Skin flare ups are always frustrating. I had a sphynx with lots of environmental allergies we did skin poke allergy testing along with a heska allergy test (blood test) this was years ago. We did allergy immune therapy shots for her and they worked well. As far as the increased hunger, I would definitely mention it to the vet and perhaps blood work is in order.

 

[Yoda mom]

@sorendarby hugs , checking in for updates

 

[nudebea]

Just wondering how the meeting went with Nalas new vet. Hope it helped you feel a little more optimistic answers may be found. Sending positive hugs

 

[sorendarby]

Hello everyone!

Nala had an environmental allergy blood test done and unfortunately they said she is allergic to many things in her environment, including human dander. They recommended doing desensitization immunotherapy, but due to the extremely high price point, we decided we’re going to do a few month trial of Atopica and see if that helps. If it does not seem to be helping her, we will send out to have a serum made for the desensitization. Fingers crossed that the Atopica helps! She did get a steroid shot just to give her some relief until we got her allergy testing back, but it only cleared up her skin for about 2.5 weeks before coming back just as bad.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

It’s great you were able to see exactly what she is allergic to. Hopeful Atopica will do the trick. Please keep us updates as I am sure your info will help others in the future.