Oozing Skin Lesions in a Dog With Addison's
by Marie
(Blue Springs, Missouri)
Reader Question
My 3 year-old Mastiff, Sophia was diagnosed a year ago this month with Addison's after having sufferred an Addison's crisis which almost took her life. She is overweight due to the condition. Two weeks ago she developed some lesions which the vet thinks was an allergic reaction to either the ear meds (TrizEDTA/Baytril) or the antibiotics (Sulfa&Trimethoprim)she was taking for a urinary track infection. She has since been on an antibiotic and a steroid. This has not improved the lesions at all. After reading this web page, I tend to think that it is part of the Addisons. Could my hunch be correct? And how do we get rid of the lesions? They crust up and ooze. When she scratches she makes them bleed so, we have her on Benadryl every six hours. Help! My poor dog can't get a break.
Answer from Our Team
Skin lesions aren't a typical sign of Addison's. Oozing, crusted sores that haven't improved could be an infection, a drug reaction, or another skin disease, and the steroid doses dogs with Addison's take can sometimes affect the skin.
Ask your vet for a skin culture or biopsy of the lesions, and whether a referral to a veterinary dermatologist would help. Don't change her Addison's medication without your vet, especially the steroid.
See Addison's disease in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
