LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Skin Rash Questions

I'm so sorry to hear how miserable your dog is. Having such a chronic condition is very difficult to live with, although it sounds like you're doing all you can to make things better for him.

I am not a vet myself, but I'm willing to offer a couple of thoughts. Perhaps your vet has already tested for them, but it's worth bringing them up for discussion just in case he hasn't. You never know what will trigger an investigation in the right direction.

First, I'm assuming your vet has done a blood panel. Sometimes a liver malfunction can result in chronic illnesses like skin conditions, so it's worth double checking on that.

Second, did your vet to specific allergy testing? This could be an environmental allergy that testing might uncover. Additionally, sometimes it's not enough to switch to a hypoallergenic diet to combat a food allergy because the actual allergen food might still be in the ingredients. Specific food allergy testing might reveal the exact cause of the skin problem.

One last thought, has your vet explored the possibility of an autoimmune condition? Such a condition often results in chronic skin problems.

Hopefully one of these suggestions will prove helpful to your dog's case. It certainly won't hurt to discuss them with your vet. I truly hope they help in some way. Best wishes for your dog's health. Let us know if you find out anything new. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about what your dog is going through. While it is relatively safe to give a dog Benedryl, you do have to be very careful with the dosage because it can slow the heart if you give too much. For that reason, you should really call your vet to get the correct dosage. Most vets are willing to give that info over the phone.

That said, Benedryl will only provide temporary relief, and you can't keep a dog on it indefinitely. What you really need to do is determine the cause of the itching in order to try to stop it. From what you describe, I wonder if your dog has a food allergy. Did the itching seem to begin around the face, chest and front leg areas? If so, this makes an even stronger case for a food allergy because that is usually where dogs begin to break out first when a food allergy develops. The scratching eventually breaks the skin and sores/dermatitis develops as bacteria take up residence.

The are a couple of ways to determine whether a dog has a food allergy. Vets can test for specific food allergies, or you can try putting your dog on a simplified diet that excludes common food allergens like corn, wheat, typical protein sources used in most brands, etc. Your vet is the best person to guide you through the process, but if veterinary costs are an issue, you could try putting your dog on a hypo-allergenic dog food for the next six weeks to see if his skin begins to clear up. It will take about that long for the allergen to work its way out of your dog's system before you see significant improvement. If the food improves your dog's condition, you can assume a food allergy is probably the cause of the problem. If not, you'll need to ask your vet for help finding the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this info proves helpful in some way. - posted by:Kelly

This could be a food allergy, but you'd need your vet to confirm that through testing. Food allergies usually surface in the face and neck area first and then spread out on the body. If only your dog's feet are involved, this may not be completely food related.

Many times, excessive paw licking and chewing is due to a yeast infection, and this requires antifungal medication to get rid of the problem. Your vet can test for the fungus and prescribe the right treatment as needed.

Right now, you don't want to wrap your dog's feet. They are probably sensitive from the irritation, but wrapping will only increase the kind of warm moist environment that helps yeast thrive. The best thing you can do is make an appointment for an exam right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to find some relief for your pet very soon. - posted by:Kelly

I don't think there's anything wrong with the use of cortizone and antibiotics as long as they are given exactly as prescribed. It's just that long term cortizone use is not the ultimate answer to skin problems because it only relieves the symptoms without addressing the cause of the skin irritation. Without addressing the exact cause, the problem just keeps reoccurring.

Now let's talk about those new gray patches. Any time the skin is open, such as with a hot spot, other organisms have an opportunity to invade and grow. I can't be certain, but those gray areas might be attributed to a fungal infection or a mite infestation. Right now, the best thing you can do is ask your vet to take a look at those areas. He/She should probably take a skin scraping to view under the microscope in an effort to identify what's going on. Hopefully this will lead to a correct diagnosis so the correct treatment can be administered and your dog can get back to normal.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this advice proves helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Hmm... Most vets believe a dog's coat protects his skin from coming in contact with the resin produced by poison oak and poison ivy. It can stick to the coat, but it rarely affects the skin underneath. If this were poison oak or ivy, I think you'd see it on more exposed areas like the belly and nose. You'd also more than likely have come into contact with the resin while petting your dog, so it's probably not likely that this is what's causing that rash.

Since your dog is so uncomfortable, I think the best thing you can do is let your vet take a look at the rash and try to figure out the cause of it. Flea bites, mites and allergies can all produce similar looking rashes, and it can be difficult for a layperson to reach the correct diagnosis unless fleas are obviously present. The vet can help you eliminate the cause of the rash and also provide topical or oral medications to help calm the itching until the rash heals.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what the cause was when you find out. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening. Mr. Blu really sounds miserable right now. Did he have any kind of reaction the first two months you used the flea medication? Did you notice any reaction when you began treating the house as well? This really sounds like it could be an allergic reaction, but if there were no symptoms when you first used these products, that may not be the case.

Have you tried calling your vet's office to see if they left a forwarding number to a vet who will cover your vet's clients while he's on vacation? Many vets make such arrangements. You may be able to see someone without incurring new client charges.

If that's not possible, I would recommend trying to vacuum or wash away some of the household flea treatment to see if that helps reduce the irritation. If you used a spot on flea treatment on your dog, try washing it off and see if that makes him feel a little better. This may provide just enough relief to tide him over until his vet returns and you can take Mr. Blu in for a proper exam and diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this info helps in some way. Best wishes that Mr. Blue feels better soon.

- posted by:Kelly

I originally ran across your question at our Dog Skin Problems article. You'll find my answer there. :) - posted by:Kelly

We've had similar questions about dogs developing crusty noses, and it's always difficult to determine what's going on because there are so many things that can cause the condition. Since this issue developed after your move to Arizona, it could be related to an environmental allergy. However, that's just one possibility. A dry, crusty nose could be a sign of a keratinization disorder. If this is the case, your dog's foot pads may also be affected, so give them a thorough check for cracks and calloused ridges, especially around the outside of the pad. The condition could also be caused by overexposure to the hot Arizona sun, and the list goes on.

It's also possible that your dog's crusty nose could be related to a more serious underlying condition such as an autoimmune disorder, liver disease or even cancer, so the best thing you can do is take the condition seriously and have your vet examine your pet. It may be necessary to perform a skin biopsy to determine the cause of the crusting, but your vet will consider a variety of angles to reach a proper diagnosis.

In many cases like this, there is no sure fire cure to relieve the condition, so it's more a matter of maintaining some control over the crusting. The condition can be a bit painful. Open cracks and sores can lead to bacterial infections, so it's important to gently clean the nose and apply a soothing balm like Bag Balm or a salve that contains aloe vera.

Although I can't provide you with a conclusive diagnosis, I hope this information has given you some direction and that your vet will be able to figure out what's going on. Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

This does sound unusual. First let me ask a question. Do you keep your dog on newspaper, such as lining her crate with it or confining her to an area lined with newspaper. I ask because the ink tends to stick and it can make white hair and pink skin kind of grayish. That could be a very simple explanation for the color change you've observed, and giving your dog a full bath would show if this was the problem because the ink would be removed.

That said, this could also be some sort of a fungal infection or mite infestation. Does your dog show any other symptoms such as skin irritation or fur loss? You would probably notice these additional symptoms with a fungal or mite infestation.

There are also a number of medical conditions that produce similar symptoms. One is known as "Black Skin Disease". It is primarily found in Pomeranians, but it has been found in several other breeds to date. Hypothyroidism, Cushing's and some reproductive hormorne disorders can also cause the skin to turn dark and change the color and texture of the coat.

This is all just speculation. If a good bath doesn't remove the dark coloring, I'd suggest you make an appointment with your vet and let him/her do a thorough work up to find out what's going on. The vet will likely want to do a blood panel and take skin scrapings to view under a microscope. None of this is very traumatic for a dog, but it could reveal exactly what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know if you get a diagnosis. It would be good to be able to pass on the info.

Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

You're going to need your vet's help to reach a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan that will eliminate the actual cause of the outbreak, but this really sounds like it could be an allergic reaction. Many Dog Food Allergies present this way. It takes some time to build up this type of reaction to a food source, so your dog could have a food allergy even if you haven't recently changed his diet. Allergies to grass, flea saliva and other things can also produce such a reaction, but I think a food allergy sounds more likely according to your dog's symptoms.

Although you'll need to take your dog to the vet, you can provide some relief for the itching. You can bathe your dog with any kind of oatmeal shampoo to help relieve the irritation. You can also use actual oatmeal to make a compress to apply to the sores. Just add a cup of uncooked oats to a piece of old pantyhose and tie it closed. Soak the bag in a bowel of lukewarm water, and gently sponge the sores. Some dogs benefit from a few doses of Benedryl, but I highly encourage you to discuss this with your vet to find out exactly how much to give your dog.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this information has given you some direction, along with a way to bring your dog some relief. Best wishes that the problem is easily sorted out. - posted by:Kelly

Any kind of abnormality that turns up on the nose is well worth having your vet investigate. While I can't diagnose your dog, I can offer some information you may find helpful.

Sometimes a crusty ridge like you've observed can be due to a condition called nasodigital hyperkeratosis. This condition causes thickening and roughening of the skin on the nose and foot pads, so you may want to check your dog's feet to see if they are also beginning to roughen. It can be difficult to find the underlying cause for a case of nasodigital hyperkeratosis, but it is sometimes an indicator of canine lupus or the product of a prior bout with distemper.

Solar dermatosis, a reaction of the skin to sunlight, can also cause changes in the skin on a dog's nose, as can various forms of cancer. As you can see, it would be best to have your vet examine your dog's nose right away to determine exactly what's going on. Hopefully, this is nothing serious, but if it is, it's always better to begin treatment as soon as possible. In the meantime, you may be able to ease some of the dryness by applying a small amount of bag balm to help moisten the ridge. This should make your dog more comfortable, but it won't likely cure the condition.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know when you find out what is causing the crustiness. What you learn may help others. - posted by:Kelly

Some dogs do indeed have grass allergies. Benedryl is useful for short term masking of the symptoms, but it's not anything you would want to dose your dog on in the long term.

First of all, I recommend you visit your vet and let him/her examine your dog's skin condition. Skin rashes can be difficult to diagnose because so many maladies present with the same symptons. However, your vet has a better chance of reaching a correct diagnosis and can also advise you on the best medical treatment for your pet.

Now, there are some things you can do for your dog to lessen some of the discomfort and cut down on his exposure to grass. First, a weekly medicated bath will helpg remove allergens. Gentle daily brushing also serves the same purpose. Second, you might want to consider creating a kennel run or patio to exercise your dog rather than letting him run free in the grass. There are various flooring materials you can use ranging from pea gravel to prefabricated, high-density plastic kennel flooring. If this is truly a grass allergy, this will help cut down on your dog's exposure, but it won't eliminate it entirely.

Those are just a few ideas to help your dog, but you vet will likely have more. Thanks for sharing your situation, and hope you find some relief for your pet. - posted by:Kelly

Are you sure this is a hot spot? Hot spots are usually caused by a dog licking and chewing at an area, leading to greater irritation and a wet infection (moist dermatitis). These spots are highly irritating, and it's usually necessary to try to prevent the dog from further damaging the skin. Since you say the spot doesn't seem to bother your pet and she can't actually reach it, this could be something else. Does it look like a circular patch of hair loss without a lot of redness to the skin? If so, it could be ringworm. Ringworm is a common fungal infection that infests the hair follicles causing them to break off. The circular pattern of hair loss is sometimes mistaken for a hot spot by those who haven't dealt with ringworm before. Ringworm is also transferable to people. Under the circumstances, it would be better to let your vet take a look at the spot to get an accurate diagnosis. This way, not matter what that spot is, your dog will get the correct treatment and heal that much sooner.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

The very best thing you can do is take your pet to the vet for an examination. I can't be certain, but there's a possibility she could have a might infestion and that's what could be causing the whining and scratching. The mites burrow beneath the skin and move about, so you won't see them on the surface. It usually takes a skin scraping viewed under a microscope to reveal the presence of the tiny mites. If this is the case, your vet will prescribe a dip and any other needed treatment. My main concern right now is the fact that your dog hasn't drunk any water for several days. This can lead to dehydration which can be very dangerous, so please make the vet appointment right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the vet is quickly able to figure out what's going on and help your dog. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Since this dog's nose has been in this condition for years, it is considered a chronic problem. I don't know if the owner has ever had the dog's vet examine the nose, but it really should be looked at.

Chronic nose problems can be caused by a lot of things, including autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalance, fungal infections and even cancer. As you can see, a vet will likely want to run a lot of tests to ferret out the cause of the condition. That will be very expensive so it's better to wait until the owner comes home next and let him/her take care of it. In the meantime, you could purchase a product called Bag Balm at most pharmacies or feed stores. The balm is soothing, and it forms a protective barrier to help prevent infection. Horse owners use it all the time on fly bites. You'll want to apply a thin layer, but be aware that the dog may try to lick it off. Try putting it on and immediately distracting the dog with a treat or chew toy to divert his attention from the salve. This should provide temporary treatment until the owner comes home.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this suggestion helps. - posted by:Kelly

It's very important to have your vet take a look at your dog's nose because this may be more than a simple case of dry skin. There are numerous diseases and conditions that surface as a change in a dog's nose. Sometimes the cause is environmental, but allergies can also result in a dry, cracked appearance. In more serious cases, such a change is sparked by an autoimmune disease or even a form of cancer. As you can see, it's important to get a diagnosis so you know whether your dog's nose can be relieved with an over-the-counter product, or if more serious treatment is called for.

If your vet agrees it would be helpful, you could try applying a product called bag balm to your dog's nose. The balm should be applied lightly because your pet will likely try to lick it off anyway. It generally forms a protective barrier over the affected area to promote healing. Even if there is an underlying illness causing the leathery skin, the balm may still be helpful for preventing secondary infections of the compromised skin.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and please let us know what the vet has to say. We get numerous questions on this topic, and the information you receive may inspire others to consult with their vet.

- posted by:Kelly

The very best thing you can do is make an appointment with your vet right away. It sounds like your dog is just developing this condition, and it will likely be easier to treat before it is widespread.

Skin conditions can be very difficult to diagnose, and I want to be clear that I am not a vet. That noted, here are a few things that might be occuring.

• Low thryroid- Lowered hormone levels caused by a malfunctioning thyroid gland can lead to skin darkening and hair loss.
• Mange mites- Hair loss and dark gray skin are common signs, but your dog isn't displaying signs of itching, so I tend to doubt this is the answer.
• An undiagnosed fungal infection- Your vet would want to examine skin scrapings under a microscope.
• Black skin disease- Research on this condition is still in the early stages, but you can learn a little more about it at pcoc.net. It's primarily found in Pomeranians, but it's also turning up Malamutes and Keeshonds.

As you can see, you'll need your vet's help to get a handle on this, so please make that appointment right away.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. Let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear what your dog is going through. Dealing with chronic skin problems is one of the most difficult situations that dogs and their people face.

I think the vet was on track suggesting this might be allergy related, but I'm disappointed to hear he just gave you some topical products and sent you home. Creams and wipes will temporarily mask some of the symptoms, but unless you can eliminate the the allegen, or indeed truly reach an accurate diagnosis, the skin problems will keep returning.

Specific allergen testing can be quite expensive, and I wouldn't recommend you return to this vet to have it done. Try calling other vets in your area to see if one of them specializes in running these tests. Right now, there's no way to know if this is a food allergy or an environmental allergy. You could ask the vet to supply you with a prescription diet hypoallergenic dog food to see if it helps reduce these outbreaks. If it does, compare the ingredients in the new brand to the ingredients in the old brand to find the difference. This could reveal the allergen, but keep in mind that some dogs are allergic to more than one thing. That's why allergen testing is usually more effective, although it is more expensive.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this advice proves useful. Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

There are more than a few possibilities as to what is causing your dog's irritation, but I'll touch upon a few ideas that strike me as most likely.

One thought is that your dog could have developed a yeast infection on his foot. This commonly presents with a lot of licking and biting around the pads and toes. However, you mention that your dog seems to feel like something is crawling on him, and this could be an indicator of some type of skin mites. Finally, there's a possibility your dog has developed an environmental allergy to something in his new living conditions.

As you can see, all of this is pointing to the neccessity of a vet visit to get a proper diagnosis. That said, if you are dissatisfied with your current vet, it would be a good idea to try a different clinic. It sometimes takes a little trial and error to find a vet that is a good fit for your family.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these suggestions prove helpful for solving the mystery and getting your dog some relief. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Good question. Some medications, salves and other remedies produced for human use are fine to use on dogs, while others are not. Luckily, Neosporin can be used on dogs as long as you are still following the usage directions on the label. To minimize your dog licking the ointment away, I recommend you rub it in lightly so there is less on the suface of your dog's skin. Just be careful not to get any of the ointment in your dog's eyes. It also would be a good idea to consult your vet about whatever condition you're considering using the Neopsporin for.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your pet's health. - posted by:Kelly

It still sounds like your vet is trying for a quick fix with the food instead of doing allergy testing. I'm guessing the new formula probably has some type of fish as the main protein source. Your vet may be guessing that a change in protein might be called for. However, he's still only guessing. Your puppy's skin condition might be allergy related or it could be caused by a fungus or bacteria. Skin scrapings might help your vet rule something or out as the case may be.

It's typically better to feed puppies a puppy formula because it usually has a slightly higher protein content to help growth. However, many pet foods formulated to address a specific health problem are often not availble in a puppy formula. While this isn't ideal, it probably won't hurt your puppy too much in the long run.

All things considered, I'm glad you're going to visit another vet. Perhaps the new vet will be willing to dig a little deeper for a cause and solution.

Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

Did your vet provide any sort of treatment for your dog? Did he make any mention of specific allergy testing? It doesn't sound like he offered more than an opinion on your dogs condition. If he didn't actually do anything and isn't willing to roll up his sleeves and do some testing to find the source of your dog's skin condition, my recommendation is to find another vet as soon as possible.

As for changing your dog's food, it may not help unless your dog actually has a food allergy and you can isolate which food(s) cause the reaction. Many brands carry a lot of the same ingredients. At this point, your don't know what, if anything, your dog needs to avoid. Your vet really needs to run tests and take skin scrapings to determine what's going on and which treatment plan will be the most effective.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

Growths like this are always worth bringing to your vet's attention. In some ways, this growth sounds like a wart. However, there is a condition called Discoid Lupus that also presents with this kind of growth. It is a variety of autoimmune disorder, and it can spread across the muzzle. Vets usually perform an antibody test to diagnose Discoid Lupus, and corticosteroids can sometimes be used to treat the condition. Finally, the growth could be a tumor, and that would be a more serious problem to deal with.

Since we really can't be sure what caused the growth and it seems to be growing larger, it would be best to make a veterinary appointment and let the vet run some tests. Hopefully this will turn our to be nothing serious, but if it is, you want to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for the health of your friend's Chihuahua. - posted by:Kelly

It's very possible that your dog has a yeast infection on his feet. This causes them to feel itchy and irritated, and this is what causes him to lick and bite them. That red staining you see is caused by your dog's saliva, as well as any bacteria that are thriving in the moist and humid environment on your dog's paws.

The best thing you can do is take your dog to the vet for an exam. The vet will most likely prescribe medicine to rid your dog of the fungal infection, and perhaps a steroid to calm the irritation so your dog stops licking. I'm sure that once you visit the vet your dog will begin to recover very soon.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Are these spots a recent development? If so, we might be talking about a fungal infection called ringworm. Rigworm causes circular patches of hair loss. It's possible that what you are perceiving as "white" spots may actually be thin spots where the hair is beginning to fall out, allowing more of the pale scalp to show through. If this is truly ringworm, you should be advised that it is contagious to both you and your other Rotty, so please don't delay calling your vet. Treatment frequently involves putting a dog on antifungal medication, as well as shaving the dog to eliminate fungus living in the hair shafts. Once treatment is completed, the coat usually grows back in quite nicely.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything will soon be alright. - posted by:Kelly

I think it might do more harm than good to remove the fur covered scab. Unless you can see pus oozing out from around the edges, it might be better to leave it alone. Bathing will trap moisture beneath the scab and spur new bacterial growth. If you pull at it, it may begin to bleed again.

Depending on just how bad it looks, you can do a couple things. As an at home treatment, you could soak the scab with Sulfadene. This is an antiseptic used to treat hot spots and stop itching. The Sulfadene will soften the scab, and in a few days you should see it begin to pull away from the wound on its own as healing takes place. On the other hand, if the wound looks ugly enough to be frightening, your vet should really examine it.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog heals quickly. - posted by:Kelly

Can you tell me what type of blood disorder your dog has, and whether your vet is doing anything to treat it? I'm not a vet, and I haven't heard of this before.

Many dogs do blow their coat after being under anesthesia, so that could account for the first round of hair loss. However, the fact that the hair grew back and is now falling out again is cause for concern.

Tell me, do you notice your dog scratching a lot? The darkened skin could indicate a mite infestation. At the very least, I think your vet should take a skin scraping just in case the fur loss isn't related to the blood disorder.

Thanks for your question. I wish I had more help to offer. - posted by:Kelly

If this is truly just a hot spot, you may be able to clean and treat it at home with a product called Sulfadene. It's an antiseptic, anti-itch formula that does a good job of clearing up the infection. You can find it at most pet supply stores.

Since your dog was recently quite ill and had been on medication, it might still be a good idea to ask your vet to take a look and make sure an opportunistic infection hasn't set in. I would almost hazard a guess that this could be the beginning of a case of ringworm due to the circular shape of the spot, but you wouldn't typically see any hair in the center of the circle. Still, I think it bears looking at by your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it's nothing serious. - posted by:Kelly

I don't believe the type of shampoo you used would cause this type of hair loss. I use people shampoo on my dogs all the time, and it never causes a problem.

I'm not a vet, but I suspect your puppy might have a mite problem. It could be demodectic mange which comes in two basic types. First there is localized hair loss, such as what you're seeing along your puppy's spine. If the hair loss begins to spread out, then you might have a case of generalized demodectic mange.

Your vet will need to see the puppy right away to take a skin scraping for diagnosis. If this is mange, the flacky spot you see now will soon grow irritated and crusty. I would have your puppy checked as soon as possible.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Each protein source is different, so if your dog was allergic to chicken, he wouldn't necessarily be allergic to duck.

Food allergies are tricky to deal with because they take time to develop once a new food source has been introduced. That is probably why it took your dog six months to show signs of an allergic reaction to the fish and potato diet.

Rather than try various formulas, I think it would be better to ask your vet to test your dog for specific food allergies. This will reveal exactly which food or foods your dog is allergic to, and then you'll know exactly what to avoid. It may even turn out that you'll need to cook for your dog instead of feeding commercial kibble in order to avoid a particular substance, but honestly, I think this is the best way to go. It may cost a little, but it will save you time trying out other foods that may or may not be the solution.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your vet can isolate the allergens. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds like your vet might suspect a mite infestation and that's why he's using the Advokat. However, since that hasn't been truly effective, it's time to try something new. If the problem is really mite related, there are other meds your vet can prescribe.

The problem with skin conditions such as the one your dog has is that there are a multitude of causes, so diagnosis is difficult. This could be an allergic reaction to your dog's food or something else in the environment. The condition might also be related to a chronic skin disease known as sebasceous adenitis. This is another avenue for your vet to explore.

I recommend you go back to your vet, tell him the medication really isn't taking care of the problem, and ask him to start from scratch with the diagnosis. Steroids do help relieve the inflammation, but they do not affect the cause of the rash, so they are not a full solution.

I'm not sure why your vet wouldn't recommend bathing unless it was related to washing off the Advocat, but you should ask specifically if you can use an oatmeal shampoo on your pet to relieve the itching a bit. Just realize that if this is a mite infestation, the bath won't really help.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope your vet is able to roll up his sleeves and get to the bottom of this problem. - posted by:Kelly

You will find links to some natural remedies in the following articles.

• Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Canines
• How to Relieve Itching in Dogs

You might also want to speak with your vet about your dog's persistent itching. You should probably have him checked for parasites, as well as Dog Food Allergies. If one of these is the cause of the itching, the natural remedies won't really help.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I don't think you would be allergic to one dog and not the other. However, you could be allergic to whichever shampoos or products have been used on the new dog. I'm going to recommend that you have someone else bathe him, and perhaps even use a flea shampoo. Those small welts could be flea bites rather than hives.

I'm hoping this will solve your problem, but if you can eliminate fleas as a suspect, you may want to check in with your doctor to discuss a possible allergy.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about the experience your dog has been going through. I am not a vet so I can only share my thoughts on this topic.

It would be helpful to know exactly what kind of tests were performed in order to get the original diagnosis. Do you know if the vet took skin scrapings to check for mites and fungal infections or performed skin tests to check for specific food allergies? It would seem that if your dog was properly diagnosed and treated, the skin condition would be cleared up and you would see fresh hair growth.

That said, there are two approaches you can take to address the dry skin, but this doesn't guarantee the hair will grow back.

• You can begin adding a 1/4 teaspoon of very fresh fish oil to your dog's dinner. This will supply Omega-3 fatty acids that are believed to be essential for cell repair.
• You can also mix some Avon Skin So Soft bath oil with water and massage it into your dog's skin.

I hope you find these suggestions useful for bringing your dog some relief, and I hope your vet can get to the bottom of why your dog's fur hasn't regrown.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but it truly sounds like your dog needs to see one. What you're describing sounds like hives, so there's a chance your dog had a severe allergic reaction to something she encountered and perhaps ate. Think back...was she fed a food she never had before on New Year's? Perhaps you had shrimp cocktail or something similar she might have had an opportunity to snatch off a low table. This might be the cause of the reaction.

Whatever is going on, the symptoms seem to be getting worse since she's begun to vomit. There is honestly nothing that can be done online, you need to take your dog to the vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you can resolve the situation quickly. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry your dogs are feeling so miserable. I'm not a vet, but it does sound as though you dogs have some sort of skin disease. It could be fungal in nature, or the result of a progressive parasitic infection, but you're going to have to take the dogs to the vet to find out for sure.

During the examination, the vet will likely take a series of skin punches for biopsy. This is perhaps the best way to diagnose the problem and get your dog's some relief from the intense itching.

Thank you for your question, and I hope you'll be able to get the problem under control quickly from this point. - posted by:Kelly

I would think the benefits of a vet visit would far outweigh the agony your dog is suffering right now, or any anxiety she may experience during the car ride. There must be quite a few vets in Philly, so you should be able to find one reasonably close to your home. Schedule the appointment, put her in the car and take her right away.

I hope it isn't to late to get the situation under control. - posted by:Kelly

There is some information in our article on Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Canines that you may find helpful. We've listed several websites that actually sell these products, and you will likely find something that will help clear up the condition.

Thanks for your question, and also for the caring work you do at the rescue. If you find a product you feel truly works, please come back and share what you've learned with us. I'm sure there are other dog lovers facing the same problem. - posted by:Kelly