lip fold problems

[Ben's mum]

Last week Harry's breath was shocking and it looked like the lip fold on the right was really yucky and the left just a little.
I have used hibiscrub diluted in water twice a day for a week and the left side is great now and overall his breath has improved a lot.  But the right still has the smelly brown dischrge that comes off onto the cotton wool - not a huge amount but I wonderedi f after a week it should have gone?
Tonight there was also a small amount of blood on the cotton wool after I wiped it. Harry has just been a complete star while I have been doing it, hehas been so good  which I didn't expect.

My question is - do I carry on as it is getting better, but slowly or would you go to the vet. I don't want to think he is uncomfortable, but he dosn't seem bothered by it at all, although it clearly stings when I wipe it.  How long would it normally take for this sort of problem to clear up?

thank you

[elaine.e]

Bit of a dilemna really, you've cleared one side and the other is improving.

William used to get lip fold infections frequently, although he hasn't for a few years. I remember using diluted hibiscrub on him after every meal when he was having problems, then very gently patting the area dry and also making sure that the hair was kept very short there. Sometimes that was enough but I had to take him to the vet a couple of times and I think he was given fuciderm ointment, which worked very quickly.

I think if it was me I'd book a vet visit as the worst affected side hasn't cleared after a week and it has bled a little. I don't think prolonged use of hibiscrub has any adverse effects but maybe it's time to speed the healing up a bit.

Hope Ben is fully recovered soon, whatever you decide

[john51]

I agree with elaine. If it doesn't improve fairly quickly I'd go to the vet. The problem is that the infection is in the skin and will not be killed off by the surface application of hibiscrub. If it's a mild infection then the reduction in surface bacteria can give the body's defence mechanisms enough breathing space to control the infection, Otherwise, something like Fuciderm will really help.

[brownsugar]

Some vets in Holland endorse honey-based ointments for e.g. wounds and lipfold problems. This is supposed to have natural anti-bacterial properties and be mild on the skin. I have tried some different kinds, both for veterinary and human use (for Toby's lipfolds and a wound on my cat) and had the best results with a honey-based hydrogel (L-Mesitran soft) which didn't seal off the skin as ointments do.
When applied regularly, Toby's lipfolds seem to get better. The red area's are lessening and the yellow discharge disappears (sorry to be so graphic!)  It is not a complete cure, but it keeps the problem manageable.
But perhaps this treatment is only suitable for mild cases?

[john51]

That's interesting. Honey has good record as an anti-bacterial and, as you say, should be gentle on the skin. I think I'd prefer using that regularly rather than Hibiscrub. I'm not sure how effective it would be against a serious infection but it is obviously unpleasant for the dog if the thing drags on for a long time. Our golden dog, Dylan, had real problems and even with repeated trips to the vet continued to suffer. In the end we opted for the cosmetic surgery. A difficult decision but in his case, one I think was the right one - all problems cured.

[honeysmun]

We had this with Holly earlier in the year
as she kept getting trouble with her lips
our vet recommend she had the op on the very bad side
and she is fine now. no more smelly chops
when we get kisses

[maddycakes]

Ruby had trouble with her lip folds, antibiotics cleared it for a week then it was back, I used the hibiscrub on her but as soon as she saw it coming out of the cupboard she would run and hide and shake, she really did not like having them touched, so before christmas she had the operation in both sides, since then there has been no recurrance of the infections, It really was the only option for her as it was obviously very uncomfortable for her.

[Max X 2]

I have tried some different kinds, both for veterinary and human use (for Toby's lipfolds and a wound on my cat) and had the best results with a honey-based hydrogel (L-Mesitran soft) which didn't seal off the skin as ointments do.

Do you get the L-Mesitran Soft from the vet?

[brownsugar]

Hallo Maxine, the L-Mesitran Soft is for humans (wounds, decubitus, ulcerating wounds, etc.) and bought online. Did have a Google and found it at a UK online pharmacy where it was called L-Mesitran Soft Wound Gel.
As far as I know (in Holland  ) the Vet sells the veterinary honey based ointment which had a few disadvantages for us.

[Ben's mum]

Some vets in Holland endorse honey-based ointments for e.g. wounds and lipfold problems. This is supposed to have natural anti-bacterial properties and be mild on the skin. I have tried some different kinds, both for veterinary and human use (for Toby's lipfolds and a wound on my cat) and had the best results with a honey-based hydrogel (L-Mesitran soft) which didn't seal off the skin as ointments do.
When applied regularly, Toby's lipfolds seem to get better. The red area's are lessening and the yellow discharge disappears (sorry to be so graphic!)  It is not a complete cure, but it keeps the problem manageable.
But perhaps this treatment is only suitable for mild cases?

Thanks for this just Googled it an it looks really good I will ask the vet about it.

Thanks for everyones replies, makes me feel better that other people have had similar problems, I immediatly felt awful as I wondered if I had not been keeping Harry's fur short enough round his mouth or if I had missed some trapped food etc to cause and infection.