What Now? :<( Update

[Donna K & Quincy]

Three weeks ago I posted about Quincy and an abscess he had on his head that caused us a major amount of concern, two weeks prior to that he had to see the vet because his eyelid was very swollen and inflamed. We just finished 3 weeks of antibiotics and having the abscess drained twice and then yesterday we noticed this. There is also a spot on his lower lip and it seems to be getting bigger.

I have taken him to the vet again who diagnosed it as an allergy and he is now on prednisone and another 10 days of antibiotics. Has anyone ever experienced this? I know Joanne has something similar with Spud's lip but put it down to friction from the large ball he was playing with. Quincy hasn't been doing anything different and there haven't been any changes in his diet. The only thing I can think of is that on Monday he got ahold of a pressure treated garden stake that he stole out of my flower bed but he only had it for a few seconds. I don't really know what to think. :<( 

UPDATE;  It's been five days and whatever the mystery ailment is, it is slowly getting better, I don't know if it's because of the meds or in spite of them but it's is getting better and that's what matters.It actually looked a little worse for a couple of days, not bigger but it seemed to have tiny blisters. We go back to the vet tomorrow for a recheck.  I have no new insights into what may have caused it but just to be on the safe side I did get rid of all the garder stakes today while I was cleaning out the flower beds, it may not be the culprit but I'm not willing to risk it. Thanks to all our friends for their ideas and well wishes, I hope our next discussion is not even remotely related to health issues.

This is a pic from today.

[L.M.]

Just want to add, now that I'm looking more closely at Quincy's spot...Stella had hair loss with her staph infection too.  We didn't realize how bad it was until she was better and the hair started growing back.  Her belly area was sooo raw, red, and hairless...like poor Quincy's "lip."  Her's didn't appear overnight though....it was more gradual.  

I also read somewhere that staph infections are very often mistaken for allergies...so maybe it's worth looking into.  

Best of luck either way!!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And sometimes, the intense scratching from allergies can cause staph skin infections, so the vets may see that and immediately assume the dog has been scratching himself and caused the infection, therefore he must be scratching from allergies.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

 I hope and pray Donna that your sweet Quincy gets a correct diagnosis and that it is something easily treatable:)  I know what it's like to have symptoms appear in my own doodle that the vet has a challenging time diagnosing.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Poor Quincy!  Here's hoping that he just gets totally better with the change in seasons. It is what we are hoping with our Springer.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Poor guy! 

[Lee Seidman]

We had a terrible experience with Lexi and almost lost her because the vet was not experienced with the diagnosis  Addissons Disease. I do  not know your vet and would never have a negative word but I would seek a specialist for a second opinion. I really do not think an allergy would result in a such significant skin eruption. Lexi was saved simply by switching her antibiotics and getting her on the correct meds to treat her Addisons. A second opinion can't hurt.

Lee 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thanks Lee, I am keeping a really close eye on things and if he shows any signs of it getting worse I will certainly see someone else.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Awwww poor Quincy.... I don't know much about allergies but I hope he is feeling better real soon.... sending doodle hugs your way !!!

[BG and Gavin]

Oh poor Q!  He has been through alot lately and so have you!  You must be going crazy right now.  I can't offer any help or suggestions other than to throw a couple ideas out there :  side effect of medication he has been on?  insect/bee sting?  something akin to a "fever blister"?  some type of fungal infection?  touched a toad or a poisonous mushroom?  You know I am just grasping at straws but...

Will wait anxiously for an update.  Hugs to you both for now.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hi BG, I was thinking it could be a fungal infection because of the antibiotic but the vet says no. We don't have toads but we do have a lot of different mushrooms. I think this is going to remain a mystery.

[Carol and Banjo]

Awwwa,a I'm so sorry to hear that Quincy is still having trouble. I can only imagine your concern Donna. : (
I understand your frustration with the vet. Is there another one near you that may be able to take a look? Although we don't have any experience with anything like this, the staph idea seems possible to me. Hugs to you both and sending prayers too.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hi Carol, I am pretty worried about this, the good news is it doesn't seem to be spreading. He is on an antibiotic so if it is staph he should be covered. He doesn't act sick and is eating and drinking but whatever it is I just want it to go away.