9 year old cocker spaniel panting

Question
QUESTION: I have noticed in the past three months, our cocker pants heavily at night.  It is loud enough to wake us.  When I give him water to drink he seems to stop for a couple of hours.  At approximately the same time, he developed hot spots on his body and has been given both antibiotics and steroids to control the itching. Any advice?

ANSWER: That's the steroids and I'd wean him off them.  How long has he been on them?

Can you tell me about the hot spots.  How long has this been happening and what are you doing topically?

What antibiotic - dosage? - length of treatment - was it bacteria or yeast?  Is he itching locally or all over?

What other tests has your vet run?  How did he diagnose the skin?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He has a history of allergies.  We had him tested for allergies at the University of Pennsylvania Vet. Hospital and initially, we were given a vaccine to be administered weekly.  This helped and eventually, we stopped (approx. 5 years ago).

Current episode started in July of this year.  The hot spots are local to his upper thigh and were diagnosed only by vision.  We have seen two different vets, with same method of diagnoses.  

Latest vet visit was Sept 27, 2010.  Our pet was given an injection of Vetalog 2mg/ml.  Also, Zeniquin 50 mg. (10 pills)was given for antibiotic.  Neo-Predef W/Tetra 15gm(sprinkle twice a day for seven days) given to control itching.



ANSWER: Zeniquin is well known for some pretty evil side effects and I honestly don't know why vets continue to use it.

Next vet visit, do not settle for a "visual" diagnosis.  If they don't do cytology, they're guessing.  And obviously, in this case, they guessed wrong.

This Spring/Summer has been just terrible for allergy dogs but I'm stunned that your vet (knowing his allergic history) didn't suggest an effective antihistimine.

And no topical at all?  You absolutely have to topically treat hot spots (or any skin condition).

What would I try?  I'd wean him off the meds asap and go get some Zyrtec (plain - no decongestant). One ingredient - "Ceterizine". This is one of two antihistimes that really work.  Get the 10mg. tablets and begin with half in a.m. and half in p.m.  If all is well, give one 10mg. tablet daily.  You should see something in 2-3 days.  And what's his weight?  We can increase this depending on weight.

Meanwhile, keep those hot spots clean and dry.  Are you using a medicated shampoo?  A compress of plain half water/half vinegar will also help.  And if you haven't already, shave that area down..let sun and air in.  The Neo Pred is fine once he's dry.

And what are you feeding him? No, I don't think this is a food allergy (that's 5% of the time) but cockers don't do well on supermarket food with a cheap, heavy carb load.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will try the Zyrtec.
Which topical do you recommend?
He weighs approximately 33 lbs.  We feed him Purina One healthy weight maintenance to try and control his weight.  

Answer
Is he a little overweight?  Weight gain + skin problems means he should have had his thyroid tested.  Do NOT let a vet run a T4 inhouse and tell you all is well.  It needs to be a "full 6 panel test" and needs to be sent to either Antech or Michigan State.
It's an easy test for your dog - a blood draw.  But first call & ask where they send their thyroid testing.  If it's not the right answer, call around until you get the right answer.

Purina is one of the worst foods on the planet.

There's a great medicated shampoo called "Universal".  Get the medicated one, not the regular.  The bliss of it is you only have to leave on for 1 or 2 minutes instead of 10 minutes (which seems like an eternity when you're sitting in the shower with a wet, antsy cocker:).  I know EntirelyPets.com has it.

Are you open to feeding him a more nutritious food?
Yes, it costs more but you feed less of it.  Nutrition is key and I can work with any budget.