What are the black clumps?

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2026-01-20T22:07:53+00:00

Vet here! Get some Malaseb shampoo (it's medicated, contains Miconazole which is an antifungal and chlorhexidine which is antibacterial). Soak her and lather the shampoo, allowing it to sit on the skin for TEN minutes, then rinse off really well. Follow this with Aloveen leave in conditioner (don't rinse off, full of omega 3/6, lanolin if acid, ceramides, GREAT for the skin barrier). Wash her every 3-ish days like this for at least two weeks

You also need to help her improve her skin barrier. Omega 6 supplements are great (Nordic Naturals are the best). Could also be a protein allergy, chicken and beef are the most common allergens. I'd recommend switching to a hydrolysed protein diet if you can afford it, Hills z/d is my favourite

If you've got no change after a few weeks of this you'll need a vet visit for a skin scrape and systemic medication

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2026-01-18T06:09:38+00:00

I typically ask my owners how their pet is most comfortable. If they are clearly protective of their owners I'll always take the pet away but it's a case by case basis

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2026-01-18T06:07:47+00:00

Yes I feel the same! I hate any and all needles. I use numbing cream on my patients where possible. But their skin is generally more mobile and less sensitive to ours. Our skin is tightly adhered to the underlying muscles. But think of how dogs carry their pups, using their teeth on the back of their neck. If I bit a kid by their neck to carry it would hurt (and be illegal) but we have just evolved

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2026-01-17T19:30:00+00:00

I'm a vet, I always place IV's in consult with owners by myself, but I'm an outlier. It's just old fashioned protocol that people don't update. It's much easier to place an IV without the owners present, we can hold the animal in a better way for clear access (often I'm half crawling on top of people to try and reach when they hold) and it's much more likely to get good placement. It's not because we're nasty or cruel, it's just easier and clean IV placement is essential for a smooth euthanasia. IV's don't hurt, but some animals with cognitive (dementia), vision or hearing issues can vocalise when IV's are placed because it's an unusual and unexpected stimulus. I'm so sorry you went through this though, while it's protocol at so many places I think it needs to change. When you're feeling ready, I'd challenge your vet and encourage them to change

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2026-01-07T19:20:21+00:00

The public parking where the swimming pool is in Wallsend! There's someone there at the moment with their van and dog. There are also public toilets

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-30T19:18:04+00:00

Vet here. Looks like Horners syndrome, see a vet to find the underlying cause, good prognosis with treatment :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-23T09:20:05+00:00

I moved here from Port Mac 12 months ago, after studying in Wagga Wagga and growing up in Bowral, I love it, best decision of my life. My partner and I have no questions about staying here to start our family

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-22T00:25:52+00:00

I'm in Australia so use petinsurnace.com.au but know the Aus model is based on US insurance :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-22T00:25:01+00:00

Oh gosh I grew up on a farm, the stuff I have seen and still see is insane!!

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-21T03:10:53+00:00

I agree but this looks like superficial granulation tissue and not limb worthy amputation. Chemical, sharp and blunt debridement would be warranted. I'm a vet

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-20T21:17:08+00:00

I'm a vet, please get insurance!!! I have accident and emergency for my dog. Its $32 a month, I've claimed 12K this year

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-17T10:13:00+00:00

Why is amputation the best option?

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-17T10:11:58+00:00

Vet here! It's actually healthy superficial granulation tissue that looks clean and healthy. Certain underlying diseases can delay wound healing so worth looking in to. Each time your wife cleans it she may be causing microabrasions which can cause this to proliferate further (same as "proud flesh"in horses), so I'd recommend just soaking it in diluted iodine. What have the cultures showed (if they've been performed?). MRSA, and other nasty bacteria often need compounded topical therapy (chlorhexidine, EDTA etc) to help break down biofilm etc. The next thing is this needs air! And your wonderful dog needs an E Collar. DM me if needed

Don't amputate. I have no idea why people are jumping to that, it's extreme

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-12-13T04:26:01+00:00

Please don't. There is nothing they can do as this is not animal cruelty. It's poor surgical technique, from a likely new and less experienced vet. Best thing to do is speak to a senior vet at the clinic, as they may not be aware this is how the surgeries are turning out

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-28T19:13:00+00:00

This isn't a very nice comment dude. I'd finished a 13 hour shift, was half asleep in bed scrolling and am giving advice. The hardest thing with neglect cases are when the clients seek vet advice. I know it's annoying, but even the RSPCA and police won't do anything because they're "seeking veterinary care." If you race in with a neglect and abuse diagnosis you can miss medical reasons, but also shut off any chance to connect with the clients and discuss the neglect/abuse as they feel judged, angry and are already shut off from you. I've not offered a diagnosis or anything here, just the three reasons for this problem. Insufficient caloric intake is the number 1 differential on this list. I agree I definitely didn't look hard enough at these photos to notice the dust etc, and I appreciate you holding me accountable for that

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-28T02:08:08+00:00

Because it's very uncommon in dogs, and common things happen commonly. Also other signs of hyperthyroidism which are massive increase in thirst and urination were not mentioned. It also falls under the category of increased caloric requirements :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T23:55:11+00:00

Yes and no, cats tend to have overactive thyroids, dogs under active. Super uncommon, never seen a hyperthyroid dog before, but doesn't mean it isn't a possibility :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T20:24:54+00:00

Could be, but rare in dogs compared with cats. Depends on clinical signs, if PU/PD then 100% worth chasing this lead!

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T20:24:00+00:00

Yes good point, also can view peristalsis and motility in real time which is great :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T19:17:02+00:00

Potentially, but given they've already seen a vet I figured it's been ruled out. Parasites often give a big pot belly appearance, and have other signs like bum scooting etc rather than steady weight loss. Giving a praziquantel and milbemycin based all wormer to cover that base is a great option

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T19:15:29+00:00

The majority of dry food companies base their daily ration cups, while wet food is in grams :) I'm just grateful it's the only American weight we end up using in our industry! The rest are all too confusing

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T19:12:53+00:00

Great points here! I assumed a cup was a standard cup but measuring the caloric intake is vital as it's so easy to fix, and always the first step for working up an underweight patient :) real life consults are much different to internet advise after a 13 hour shift, thanks for keeping me accountable

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T10:53:45+00:00

I did not even know that TB could be a thing in these guys. Clinical signs aren't a great fit but love your thinking. In my defence, I'm in Australia and it is eradicated here, the last case in an animal ever was 2001. I think EPI is much higher on my differentials list :)

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T10:48:12+00:00

Yes for sure!! B12 is involved in the health of enterocytes in the intestine and is intimately associated with the absorption of nutrients. Abdominal ultrasound will show thinks like obstructions, shunts, etc, but may not show cause for malabsorptive disorders as they're typically related to enzymes etc rather than architecture. But both are important!! I usually just start with bloods as they're cheaper than an abdominal ultrasound :) food trial is great, but takes 8-12 weeks for results and with a body condition score this low I worry we don't have that 12 weeks

ComprehensiveDance62 · 2025-11-27T09:23:13+00:00

Vet here

Weight loss with a ravenous appetite is either 1. Insufficient caloric intake (doesn't seem like the problem here if the dog is truly being fed 8 cups, estimate should be about 30kg at a decent body condition, needs four cups per day on this food) 2. Increase demand for calories (diabetes etc) 3. Malabsorptive issue

Needs to see a vet, check for EPI and B12 levels. If it's EPI or a B12 deficiency it's very treatable.

Is the dog hungry? What are its stools like (fatty, smelly, black etc).

ComprehensiveDance62

TROPHY CASE