LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Sparky,

I'm not a vet, but if you can describe your dog's symptoms, maybe I can recommend and over-the-counter product that may help until you can take your dog in for a proper diagnosis.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

POOR DOGS ...I HAVE TO FIND A REMEDY I CAN AFFORD...PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE.

-- Contributed by: SPARKY9495@SBCGLOBAL.NET

Hi Bill, and welcome to the site,

I'm glad your vet has been able to identify the food sources that produce allergic reactions in your dog. Believe me, I understand what you're up against finding a food that doesn't include beef and wheat.

I tried to do some searching for you, and I think I may have found a brand you could try. It's called Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. As far as I can see in the ingredient list, it doesn't contain beef or wheat, but you can go to the link I've provided below and double check.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Chicken_Soup_for_the_Pet_Lovers_Soul_Dog_Food

I hope this food gives at least one option for dry kibble for your pet. Good luck with your search. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

after 6 months of struggling with a serious skin problem we seem to have it under control with a strict hypoallergenic diet and rigid observance of NO UNSCRUTINIZED SNACKS - it looks like beef and/or wheat are the culprits and one of these is in nearly everything

-- Contributed by: bill

Hi Kate, and welcome to the site.

Unfortunately, many skin conditions share the same symptoms. The very best thing you can do is ask your vet for assistance. This could be a parasitic infestation, a fungal infection, or perhaps an environmental or food allergy. You'll need your vet's expertise to reach the correct diagnosis so your dog gets the right treatment to bring relief.

Thanks for your question and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, 

My dog has always had a skin problem. He bites and scratches constantly. It's all over his body, including his face. His eyes are full of gunk and he is miserable. His hair won't grow back and it is patchy. Do you know what it might be?
-- Contributed by: Kate

Hi Tanishia,

I'm glad I could be of some help with the skin issue even though I'm not a vet. As for your trouble getting into the forum, I just tried the link in the left column of this page and was able to get in, so you might want to try again. If you still have trouble, let me know and we'll figure it out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Dear Kelly, Hi, I tried to log onto the forum but cldnt get thru so writing here. two weeks back we took fluffy to a good hospital and they checked her skin well and yes there was bacteria. so got creams/liquids to apply. Also the they said fluffy is not preg. cant feel a thing. they kept the thethascope & checked and said nothing. So fluffy was given rabies and other annual vaccines. Anyways the fungi spots are much better now after a week. very much reduced. also i give her a bath with the prescribed shampoo twice a week. only her head is still the same and we got her a cone like collar, i dont knwo wut u call that so she looks rather funny with that :) But since w eplan to leave the country with the dog we had to take the dog to the vet again. he said the dog isnt pregnant or cant be sure until the 50th day so then ont he way home we went to another animals clinic and the vet took x-ray bcz ther ewas milk coming from FLuffy's nipples. to see she is preg! i wil tell u abt it on the other page Kelly. thanx again for al the advice on the dogs skin. it was really very helpful! i was able to undersrtand better bcoz of ur help. :)

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Thanx a bunch kelly! Sure shall check out the dog forum. didnt have mnuch time..when i come back shall do. Thanx for the home remedies. yes im using aloe vera & tee tree oil for Fluffy. Thank God i found that he he. and shal do the oats thing too right away. and try to push the vet to check abt teh skin. :( C u around thanx a lot! ( appreciate this so much!

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Hi Tanishia,

Let begin with the skin issues. It's possible your dog's rash is due to a food allergy, but this could also be a case of mite infestation. Your vet should have taken a skin scraping to check under a microscope to see if mites were present. Many mite infestations begin on the head, so keep an eye on this. Aloe vera is very soothing to the skin, and if that other ingredient in your shampoo happens to be tea tree oil, that is great for skin irritations. Very healing. If you can get hold of plain oatmeal, pour a cupful in a section of pantyhose, soak it in lukewarm water and use it as a compress for your dog's skin. It's very soothing.

As for x-rays, many vets use them to detect puppies. However, they aren't much use until the last week or two of pregnancy because the pups don't have enough bone density to show up before then. So, go back for the x-ray, and if your dog's skin doesn't look any better, bring up the possibility of a mite infection and ask your vet to look at some skin scrapings under a microscope. It sounds like you're going to have to push this vet to investigate a little further, so don't be afraid to do so, just do it firmly and politely. And yes, do try to find another vet who seems to have more on the ball.


As for pregnancy information and advice, we have a lot of helpful articles here. I'm going to list them below, and you can work your way through them. Don't hesitate to come back with more questions, and you may also want to begin posting on our dog forum where it will be easier to keep track of all the info you get.

Check out:

Keep me posted, either here or on the forum. I moderate there so I check it everyday. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Dear Kelly hii, i just returned from the clinic with a little disappointing news that my dog FLuffy might not be preg or might be. the doc and nurses there cldnt figure out. also they said that they cant do a scan but an x-ray to check if my little dog is preg or not. so i said i wil be back in two weeks time. its been abt a month now since fluffy was seen with a another dog so i dont know why. also where i live ppl dont speak English and its very hard to find the proper vet. Do you think doing and X-ray would harm my preg dog? also i was not given any advice how to take care of the pregnant dog so you know you are my number one helper in the case. :) Also while my dog was away from me for abt a month her food was changed and i dont know how how she was. but she came back with a rash. now her hair is all shaven. so i cldn see red spots etc..and also there is a a sweeling..pinky one around her mouth...no hairs on that part. and like dandruff here and there around the neck. but the body area is fine so is the behind. nothing wrong. also the shampoos etc..are all in a diff language i cant read. so im giving her one which says aloe vera and tea somthing. is that fine¼ um..i also have some jensen violet ..which i cld apply on her scratched places coz its bleeding at times. ( she loves to scratch) Do you think its ok if i rub some pure olive oil on her infected area of skin? i cant find neenam or margosa oil here so its frustrating a little. i read that tea bag wld help? i dont knwo how to do it? shld i just let it cool and rub it on her skin? i wil try to look for fish oil for pets from the market. is it fine if i buy codliver oil and apply it? im asking you whatever thats coming to my mind. pls hope u dont mind. :| i want fluffy's skin to be in good condition coz i have a little kid with me who loves dogs a lot. but u know old folks tend to give certain remarks etc...which i dont like to hear. so if my dogs skin all that is perfect then i dont think we need to worry at all ryt? sorry im wriring you all this..i dont have anyone here who can explain to me in English so pls let me know wut i can do for her skin. ( the vet is not btohered at all..didnt even give an antibiotic for her skin. they dont say antying unless i ask.) and yes i wil be looking for a new vet for my dog. Awaiting to hear from you Thank you so very much! `Cyndi

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

hi im kimberly and i have a question about a skin problem what happens when a dogs pink skin turns green

-- Contributed by: kimberly

Hi Rebecca,

It sounds as though you have tried every angle to figure out what this is and find a way to stop the hair loss. Barring further testing by your vet to look for things like Cushing's Disease, there may not be much else you can do. This is not a solution to the problem, but as long as your dog doesn't have other symptoms that would indicate he doesn't feel well, you might want to keep his remaining coat clipped close so he looks neater. I wish I had a better answer for you, but your vet is really the qualified person to run further medical tests in search of an accurate diagnosis.

Thank you for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 6 year old border collie! And about a year and a half ago he started losing all his hair. We tried allergy shots, skin scrapes, we had him tested for thyroid disease, special shampoos, switching his bed to one without wood shavings in it, a gluten-free food for a couple of months, and now he is on a skin healthy food and we put a supplement in it that is full of fat and other stuff. Nothing seems to help! We are sick of spending a ton of money on tests and stuff that isn't making a difference at all! What should I do?

-- Contributed by: Rebecca

Hi Skin Diseases Itching,

It would be best to have your vet examine your dog to determine what is making him itch. It could be parasites, allergies or even a fungal infection. Without a proper diagnosis, you could wind up masking some of the symptoms without truly eliminating the problem. This will most likely lead to repeated flair ups.

Do see your vet, but in the meantime, an oatmeal bath might provide some relief from the itching. You can pour a cup of oatmeal into a section of pantyhose and tie it shut. Soak the oatmeal in warm water, and sponge your dog's itchy spots so they are saturated with the liquid. Let it dry right on your dog without rinsing.

You might also be able to find an oatmeal shampoo. In this case, bath your dog according to the directions and rinse. Hopefully this will curb the itching somewhat until your vet can determine the right treatment.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

plz, suggest me the medicine for skin diseases itching

-- Contributed by: skin diseases itching

Hi Gina,

With just this one symptom, it's really difficult to say. I'm glad you have a vet appointment for your pet. The vet will examine the area and likely want to take a skin scraping as well as do some bloodwork to try to determine the cause of the darkening. I hope it's nothing too serious and that your dog recovers quickly after treatment. Do let us know what you find out because I'm sure other visitors have had similar experiences. We could all benefit from the info.

Best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our olden retriever's skin around his belly and groin is darl- amost black- in color and is usually pink. I noticed it a few days ago and we are taking him to the vet this wee, but wanted to know your thoughts?

-- Contributed by: gina

Hi Erin,

Your dog's condition is definitely worth asking your vet to investigate. A thyroid condition such as hypothyroidism, can produce the kind of symptoms you're seeing. If this turns out to be the case, your vet can likely regulate the condition with medication and your dog's coat should return to normal.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this suggestion proves helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog Jenna has ridiculously oily skin. If I don't give her a bath within a week, her coat is covered in this foul smelling body oil. Her long hair clumps up and her collar is nearly wet with grease. Its very unpleasant for both me and her. She gnaws at herself almost constantly, and sometimes pulls out tufts of hair. I know she doesn't have fleas since we treat her for that. AlsoI can't stand to pet her because that oil she produces is disgusting to smell. Right after I give her a bath, she will get bad again after about three to four days. What in the world is going on? I've never seen a dog so oily.

-- Contributed by: Erin

Hi Lauren,

I'm sorry to hear your dog is in so much discomfort. You'll want to take him to the vet immediately to get a correct diagnosis and the right medication to relieve the condition. Your dog's symptoms sound similar to impetigo. The condition shows up as thin brown crusts that cover puss-filled blisters, and it often occurs in the groin region. However, I'm not a vet, and I can't see the lesions first hand, so the best thing you can do it contact your vet right away to bring your dog some relief.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes for your dog's speedy recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is older and has red testicles he is crying alot and i notice he appears to have like brownish raised yucky stuff on his testicles and i gave him a bath it seemed to somewhat wash off but he is in so much pain .Is their an answer for this.

-- Contributed by: lauren

Hi Joyce,

Do you know if your vet checked your dog's anal glands? The glands can cause irritation if they are overly full or become infected, and your dog is seems to be displaying some of the most common symptoms. It's worth having your vet check it out if he/she hasn't already done so.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my doberman 2 years old., ,is constantly biting and chasing her stub tail, i have had her to the vet three times for this ,no answer , she has a lot of what looks like dandruff,on her back ,she eats lamb and rice dogfood ,has a raw egg on her food with a little oil, every day ,but acts like something is in her rectum ,cause she is always biting and licking her bottom ,what can I do to help her.

-- Contributed by: joyce

Hi Marilyn,

It's not unusual for a nursing mom to blow some coat at this time, so there probably isn't anything to worry about. At four weeks old, you can begin teaching the pups how to lap water and eat a loose, wet mix of ground puppy kibble and high protein baby cereal. It should have the consistency of watery oatmeal. Also continue to feed mom well so more of her resources will be directed to her own body's care. It will take a few months to regain her coat after the pups are fully weaned, but she should recover nicely.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

mY DOG JUST HAD A LITTER 4 WKS AGO AND NOW SHE IS STARTIN TO LOSE HER HAIR IN DIFFERET PARTS OF HER BODY. tHEY LOOK LIKE PATCHES AND HER SKIN IS PINKISH SHE IS NOT ITCING. What could be the problem she has?

-- Contributed by: Marilyn

Hi Erika,

There are a lot of possibilities as to what those spots might be. They could be hot spots that have developed from biting and scratching. Parasites are yet another option. The best thing you can do is take your new friend to the vet to have them examined. The vet should be able to make a proper diagnosis once he/she sees exactly what you're talking about. This way, you can get the right medicine for the job and help your pet feel better sooner.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes for your dog's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We found a puppy...not older than a yr at the most, and she has like 5-6 spots on her neck, legs, and under her neck that are losing hair, and are really red...... any idea what that would be? i was sorta thinking it was'demodectric mange'... but i really dont knoe

-- Contributed by: Erika

Hi Brittany,

I can't be certain, but what you describe sounds a lot like pyoderma, and it usually takes an antibiotic to get rid of it. The best thing you can do is let your vet take a look to get a proper dianosis and the right medication to alleviate the infection.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a rot mix and he has bumps on his chin i've been thinking it was acne, but i'm not really for sure. How exactly do i tell if it is acne?? And how do i treat it if it is acne?

-- Contributed by: brittany

Hi Suzette,

Staphilcocus can be very persistent. Your dog may need a different or stronger medication to overcome the infection. The best thing you can do is call your vet clinic to let them know the infection has returned. I'm sure the vet will want to re-examine your dog and decide on the next level of treatment from there.

Thank you for your question, and I hope your dog recovers soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog has spots fill with blood on his body when he scratches the blood comes out.they told me it was staphilococus, he went into treatment but they came back, what can that be

-- Contributed by: suzette

Hi Dax,

If this doesn't turn out to be a pest infestation, it could well be allergy related. This means your dog might be allergic to something in your external environment,or he might be allergic to one or more ingredients in his food. Be sure to bring up this topic when you're at the vet's office. It may take some brainstorming, but hopefully the vet can provide some quick relief.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a border terrier called stan, he is about 20 months old. For about 6 months his belly and chest seem seem to be constantly ithching him as he is always scratching and he drags himself round on the grass in the garden. It is red and looks saw but today i noticed he was scratching in his ear. I had a look and that too seems to be very red and looks sore. i will be taking him to the vet but do you have any ideas what this can be regards dax and stan

-- Contributed by: dax

Hi Mera,

It was likely a skin irritation caused by scratching, but drool could also cause the same problem if the area is constantly wet.

You probably did the most good by cleaning the area. I would recommend wiping the lesion once a day with a soft cloth and warm water. It should heal quicker now that it will be getting more air.

If the lesion doesn't heal or begins to look worse, definitely show it to your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the problem clears up very quickly. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a pug. She's not itchy. But i was petting her gobble (under neck skin) and noticed this strange crustiness. Looking into it she had light brown crusty little scabbish chunks of hair coming off and the skin looked purplish and dirty. It didn't look inflamed. I gave her a bath and wash it up. The scabs are gone and it seems like it might have been dirty but a lot of her fur is missing the patch where the scabbish stuff was coming off and parts are still really blackish where the pores are and purplish. We bath her a couple times a month. And she's not really a grubby dog although she tends to lick our leather couch and her gobble gets wet from her slobber. Have any idea what it may be? or if maybe related to her licking the couch?

-- Contributed by: Mera

Hi Leila,

I'm not a vet, but I tend to suspect your dog might have a mite infestation of some sort. Any type of skin condition is difficult to diagnose, so it would be best to let your vet examine your dog. This way you have the quickest route to a proper diagnosis, and your dog can receive the exact treatment she needs for quick relief.

Thanks for visiting the site, and I do hope your dog recovers quickly.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello - my Parsons Terrier female has brown chunky scabs on her head, is chewing her inner thigh until she's broken the skin and flaps her ears vigorously quite alot. I have searched her carefully and find no fleas or flea dirt and her inner ears look healthy. There is no sign of ringworm. I am most puzzled. She has a varied diet and I avoid feeding her colourings and preservatives in dog food. Im on the verge of taking her to our vet but value your opinion especially if there is some non-chemical cure or shampoo around to help. Thanks Leila's Mum

-- Contributed by: Leila Rose

Hi Kimberly,

I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening to your dog. I'm not a vet, so I'm not qualified to diagnose your dog's problem. That said, if the patches are very circular, this could be a case of ringworm infection. However, ringworm doesn't usually include welts. Welts might indicate an allergic reaction, either to a food source, a grooming product or something else in your dog's environment. All things considered, I believe your best course of action is to consult your vet right away before the condition becomes worse.

Best wished for your dog's quick recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

dogs hair is falling out in patches and where we can see his skin in red welts.



-- Contributed by: kimberly mcdoul

Hi Carol,

I'd be interested to hear what the vet thought about these lumps. Are they in the ear leather or the canal? It's possible they are related to a food allergy, especially if they itch. Food allergies tend to show up in the face, head and neck area first. I would definitely watch for a progression from the ears. Unfortunately, I don't think you're going to be able to avoid another vet visit.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My toy poodle has a lot of small lumps in both her ears where there is no hair. They are not infected like pimples, just raised lumps. I looked up ear mites, however there doesn't seem to be any black discharge. She does shake her head periodically. A couple of weeks ago, when she first started shaking her head, I took her to the vet thinking she had ear infection from water getting in from bath, and did a course of antibiotics. This did not help noticabley. Hoping to avoid vet bill again.

-- Contributed by: Carol

Hi Debra,

Yes, dogs do get skin cancer, but this isn't necessarily the case with your dog. I recommend you try treating this hot spot with a product called Sulfadene. It stops the irritation and promotes healing. Hopefully this will be all you need to heal the sore and get the hair growing again. Sulfadene can be purchased at most pet supply stores.

If this doesn't work you, it may indeed be time to consult your vet. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have an older dog who has had a sore on his back for 6-8 months..started out small.now is size of silver dollar..no hair grows and it never scabs or heals..do dogs get skin cancer??? thanks.asking you because because i am elderly and can only afford to go to vet if no other choice

-- Contributed by: debra

Hi Adrianne,

It usually takes a vet to correctly diagnose the cause of any skin problem. Since the problem seems like it might be chronic, it would be best to ask your vet to take a look at it. You really need to know the cause to figure out the best treatment possible.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a black lab/ Australian Shepard mix, 8 years old. He Sheds and has really flaky skin. We have been managing it with sensitive skin dog food and coal tar dog wash but I just noticed the dandruff is sticking to his hair and wouldn't come off in this last bath. It looks like when I get a light sunburn and it peals off flaky, but it's stuck to his hair. Any idea?

-- Contributed by: adrianne

Hi Jennifer,

I can't be sure what the source of the rash is without seeing it, but could it possibly be urine burns? Sometimes male Yorkies catch their coat when they urinate and the urine soaks into the skin and burns it. If this is the case, trimming the fur on the tummy area can help eliminate some of the problem by giving you dog a clear shot. It's also helpful to bathe the dog's undercarriage once a week to keep things fresh.

Your vet should be able to diagnose the source of your dog's rash, so it would be a good idea to take him in right away. The sooner you do, the sooner the vet can make him more comfortable.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi!! i have a yorkie who is a year old.he has a irratation on his belly and his legs he not itching but i am worried? what do you think it is?

-- Contributed by: jennifer

Hi Cyn,

Sometimes anesthesia will cause a dog to blow some coat, but the rash doesn't really fit in with that theory. I would call your vet at the first opportunity. Make sure the vet understands you have children who could be exposed to whatever this is in the event it turns out to be something contagious. My hunch is that it isn't anything your children will catch. Ringworm is one fungus that can be passed between dogs and humans, but it causes distinctly circular patch of hair loss, not general loss such as you are seeing.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the vet is able to isolate the cause of the rash and treat it quickly. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a lab mix that is 6 months old, he was neutered last week. I was brushing him yesterday and he had alot of hair faling out around his head and neck, there is also a raised red rash with some putules there. I would call my vet but they are closed today. Any idea??? Also i was reading up on things, if you think its something that children could catch please let me know asap.

-- Contributed by: cyn

Hi Chelsea,

It's difficult to say what's going on without being able to look at the area you describe. My best advice is to allow your vet to examine your dog's skin. It sounds as though there is a health issue in play, and I think the hair cut just revealed it, not actually caused it. Best to let your vet make that determination.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the vet can quickly figure out what's going on.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 13 year old Pomeranian and after I shaved him about 2 months ago his hair around his neck where he collar would be and about where his shoulder blades are aren't growing back. I thought at first that it wasn't growing back where his collar was because he was wearing it so I took it off and have had it off for about a month now and it still isn't growing back. The skin where the hair isn't growing is also quite dark looking. Any idea of what this could be?

-- Contributed by: Chelsea

Hi Denise,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I think it would be best to talk to the humane society you adopted your Yorkie from, and find out if they can offer any assistance. It does sound as though your pet needs a lot more veterinary care than you can provide, and the difficulty urinating sounds like a second problem aside from the skin issues. Even if you're unable to keep her yourself, you can be sure that the humane society will make sure she gets the necessary care, and they won't adopt her out again until they're sure they've got the problems under control.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a Yorkshire terrier I got from the humane society,took her to vet for free visit vet said he thought she has allergies could not afford allergy test. I have had her on predisone which helped at first but no longer seems to, I bath her at least once a week with oatmeal shampoo if not twice, she has a odor to her,and is now geeting bald spots with crusty flakes and blackened skin.I put a flea treatment on her every six weeks, I need to know something else I can do for her besides pay a big vet bill.I can't afford a doctor myself, so I sure cant afford one for her. I thought about giving her to someone who can afford to take care of her,but we love her and im afraid someone else might just get rid of her because she is so much trouble. Advise me on what I need to do for her, she is about 31/2 years old, shows stiffness when she gets up to move around, also shows signs of problems urinating no pain or anything she just acts like she cant decide where to do at or a delay in being able to she squats down and then goes around in circles before she finally goes, also seems to have some constipation at times. The only food she eats is )Pedigree for adult dogs.

-- Contributed by: Denise Mims

Hi Holly,

Very rounded areas of hair loss are often an indication of ringworm, however, I'm not sure about those black spots. I think it would be worth it to take your dog to the vet. If this is ringworm, it's transferable to humans. It can be cured with antifungal medication, but sometimes the dog needs to be shaved in order to completely remove the fungus.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a beagle mix who is probably about 6 years old now. She has developed perfectly round areas on her head where she's lost her hair and crusty, black spots have formed. She itches at them a bit, although we try to keep her from it. Any thoughts on what it is and how to treat it?

-- Contributed by: Holly

Thanks for the tip Sally!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a rescue rat terrier who had terrible sore skin, hot and bald spots. Mainly on his ears, throat and elbows. I used a natural product called "Dermacton" with a money back guarantee if it did not work. It worked like a miracle when steroids had not helped at all. Google it - I brought it online, a friend recommended it but I couldnt find it in pet shops.

-- Contributed by: Sally

Hi Amy,

A food reaction is a possibility, but since your dog is already under a vet's care for kidney problems, I think you should follow up with him/her. If your vet can't figure out what the cause of the peeling is, ask if it would be alright to give your dog a fresh fish oil supplement to bring the skin into better condition.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,

I have a tea-cup shih tzu who is about 2-3 years old. Recently I have noticed that her skin has been peeling over her entire body. About A month ago she came down with kidney problems and an intestinal infection and had to switch her diet. Could it be a reaction to this change in diet or something else?

Amy Cowen

-- Contributed by: Amy

Hi Andrea,

Skin conditions can be notoriously hard to diagnosis. Has your vet ever taken skin scrapings or samples from the blisters in an effort to diagnose exactly what's going on? If not, he/she should. This might even be a case of pyoderma, but it's difficult to say. If your vet doesn't seem interested in tackling the problem, I recommend you seek a new vet that will search for a cause, not merely treat the symptoms. This is the only sure way to handle the problem.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope you can find some relief for your pet.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi! I have a 4 year old Chihuahua who has very short hair and is hairless on her neck, under arms, chest, belly and inner thighs. She is getting sores on her underbelly and ocasionally under her arms. The sores sometimes look like whiteheads then the skin around the sore peels away and then it goes away. She has about 3- 15 sores at a time that come and go during an outbreak. Her first outbreak was about a year ago and the vet told my she may have contact dermatitis and gave her a steroid shot and Dermalone Ointment (Vendco). So I changed laundry detergents and tried to not use cleaning products in certian areas. The shot and cream cleared up the sores and she was good to go. Then about a month or two later she broke out again. So I kept putting the ointment on and that seemed to help. Then I ran out of the ointment so I took her back to the vet about 5 months ago. The vet gave me a conditioner to spray on her skin for moisture and a prescription for Hills Hypoallergenic food. Neither of those things have helped and she still has the sores. I bathe her about once a month. She also seems to have a brown waxy substance where her cuticles are. Does this sound like anything you've heard of? Please Help!

-- Contributed by: Andrea

Hello Omar,

I so sorry to hear your old friend is going through so much. It sounds as though he is just getting worn out by all these symptoms. It also sounds like your vet has the situation in hand as much as he possibly can, so I don't want to second guess him. However, you do have the option of getting a second opinion from another vet about your dog's prognosis. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can produce other solutions. I think it's at least worth a try. Making the decision to end a beloved pet's suffering is never an easy one, and I'm with you. I'd want to make sure there were no other options before I considered euthanasia. If this does turn out to be your final option, at least take heart in the fact that you did everything you could to help your dog.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I hope there is some way to help your dog regain some of his health. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have an 11 year old boxer who has had arthritis for some time now but not until recently has it affected his everyday activities. His back legs seem to give out on him and he seems to be in constant pain. his appitite has gone and is sleeping all day. He is also on thyroid medicine, which makes him breathe heavily or pant. the vet says that has nothing to do with it but we noticed it went away when we skipped his pill for a day. we also noticed his water intake would increase a lot while on the medication. He had some tpye of reaction to a sweater last christmas and lost a big section of his coat, with medicine and soap most of it came in again. The vet ran some blood test and found that his liver was not functioning correctly and offerd some medication but offered his advice, the kind a dog owner never wants to hear, you know he's in a lot of pain , he's old, should start thinking about puting him down. just thought there might be someone out there to give me a ray of hope. i know but what is a dog lover to do, thanx

-- Contributed by: omar

Hi Michelle,

It is difficult to say what this might be without being able to look at the spots in person. They might be the beginnings of benign tumors, something a lot of older dogs develop. They could also be related to some sort of skin condition that is just developing. The dried blood is most probably from one being caught when your dog was scratching. My best advice would be to have your vet take a look at them. If they're nothing serious, at least you know you can stop worrying, but if they're something that needs to be treated, you'll have caught it very early.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 10 year old doberman mix. I have found two white spots a half a millimeter thick and a millimeter tall sticking out of his skin. One of them had dried blood on the top. It almost looks like a worm coming out of his skin. Do you know what this could be?

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi Kelly, we know she has a borderline low thyroid and she took thyroid medication for some time but then she developed an irregular heart beat and the regular vet plus the cardiologist thought the thyroid should be discontinued. It's a never-ending balancing act. Thanks for your suggestion.

-- Contributed by: Lela Aldrich

Hi Lela,

It sounds as though your vet has been thorough about the skin testing, and at least you know what some of your dog's allergic triggers are. Continuing to brainstorm, has your vet also checked your dog's thyroid levels? Thyroid disease can also cause skin problems. Autoimmune conditions can also cause various skin lesions. Just something else to consider.

I hope your dog is responding well to the prednisone. I once had a dog that had grass and flea allergies, and the prednisone improved her condition quite a bit, although it didn't alleviate it entirely.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the vet will eventually be able to provide more relief for your dog.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Yes, Lady has been tested for specific allergies. She is allergic to some pollens, e.g., ragweed, bermuda grass, etc. She has been on the food elimination diets (I think that's what they are called). Her dermatologist had me do a short term bean and potato diet with Tums for calcium when she was about 2 years old. It was later determined that the diet had not been long enough (2 weeks) and she was put on an extended rabbit and potato diet (as I recall, it went on for about 2 months). She showed no improvement. We had already done the skin testing and knew about the pollen allergies (she was already receiving the allergy shots) and so determined that the diet changes made no difference. She improved and went off the shots when she was about 7 or 8 years old and was doing fine except in "pollen seasons" until about one year ago. Originally, there was reason to believe there was an infection in some of the scratched spots, and she was put on short term antibiotics (about 10 to 14 days, don't really remember), but that didn't help at all. The best thing that we do for her is to give her the prednisone (upped to 5 mg every other day when we saw the vet earlier this week) and to bathe her with Cloud 9 shampoo. I may take to giving her a bath on the days she doesn't get prednisone and see how that works. She has an irregular heart rate, is mostly blind and she has begun to lose weight. We free feed and she knows where the food and water dishes are, where her beds are and of course, where the kitchen is in hopes that someone will make toast and give her a corner! We are currently feeding Solid Gold "Hund-N-Flocken" which may not have enough calories for her. Am thinking about switching foods again. She was eating Azmira lamb & barley but the pieces are too small and she was having difficulty picking them up so we switched to Solid Gold because it is made with lamb and the pieces are larger so she does better feeding. I don't think that food is the root of her problem and since it began before we go into allergy season here in Tucson, I don't think the current problems are allergic in nature. For now, I'm just keeping her as comfortable as I can and make sure she has food out at all times.

-- Contributed by: Lela Aldrich

Hi Darren,

I can't be sure what's wrong with your neighbor's dog, but it sounds like these could be abcessess from bites. I agree that your dogs shouldn't be exposed to the open wounds, so it would be a good idea to suggest that your neighbors take their dog to the vet. You'll need to be diplomatic about it, because you want to remain on friendly terms, but if this dog's sores aren't being treated, it's a case of neglect.

Best wishes that everything works out without a problem.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi there! we have a neighbors female dog that comes down here to hang out with our dogs....we have noticed big open sores and bumps under her chin and on her mouth....it's really gross! is it contagious? we keep trying to run her off because one of our dogs keeps licking the sores.....i'm going to suggest the neighbors take her to the vet, but in the meantime can you tell me what it is?

-- Contributed by: darren

I have an old (16 1/2+) spayed female Rat Terrier. She has had allergy problems all her life and has been treated by a variety of modalities. Her most recent problem is crusty spots that appear on her trunk and under her chin. She scratches at the areas. As she has had a myriad of allergy problems, she is currently on 2.5 mg prednisone every other day. She eats well. Doesn't drink all that much. Has accidents in the house, goes to sleep standing and sometimes just wanders around from room to room for prolonged periods. I bathe her periodically with a hypoallergenic shampoo with conditioner. Any suggestions. The problem with her skin is not transferred to our 2 yo neutered mini Dachshund male nor to my husband or me or our 3 yo great grandson.

  • Hi Lela,

Has your dog ever been tested for specific allergies to identify exactly what her allergens are? The fact that your dog has lesions on her face through her body may indicate a food allergy that could be relieved if you knew exactly which foods to avoid feeding her. I would discuss this option with your vet. It may greatly improve your dog's condition.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Lela Aldrich

I have two small 5lbs each mixed yorkie daschund dogs and the first one got peely skin on the underneath side of her so I started bathing her with medicated dog shampoo and about 2 weeks later the other dog got the same thing. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction to lamb dog food that I gave them, so I stopped that particular dog food,but then the other one got it. I'm still using the medicated dog shampoo. Is there anything else that I can do? Also they both had a couple of fleas on them and I treated them for that by using a IGR shampoo flea dip, but they're still peeling.

  • Hi Sandy,

I'm sorry to hear about your dogs' discomfort. Skin conditions are notoriously difficult to diagnose. I recommend you let your vet take a look at these dogs in person. Talk about what you're currently feeding as well as the grooming products you're using. All of this information will help the vet figure which direction to proceed.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dogs are soon back in good shape. From Sandi

-- Contributed by: Sandi

Hi!

I have a black lab mix who is 6 years old. We noticed that over the last two months she has bad breath, oily coat and has dandruff so bad we almost need to bathe her every other day. We changed her food over 3 months ago so could that do it? There are no signs of ringworm or any type of insects bites. She is very itchy and bites at her spots but I do not see blood or anything open. What should I do?

  • Hi Jessica,

There are quite a few skin conditions that can cause the symptoms you're seeing in your dog. Among the most prevalent are yeast infections, staff infections and sebasceous adenitis. My best advice is to take your dog to your vet for an examination. The vet can take skin scrapings and punches to help form a diagnosis and course of treatment to allieviate or at least less the problem.

As for your dog's bad breath, it may be a separate issue. Take a look at your dog's gums. Do they seem a bit puffy? If so, your dog could have a gum infection. If the bad breath seems to be coming up from her stomach, it may be attributed to another health issue. Be sure to tell your vet when you noticed the onset of bad breath.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope your vet is able to get your dog back into tip-top shape soon.

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Recently my dog has acquired a large bump just underneath her skin on her belly. It feels bulbous and moves a little underneath her skin. It has grown to about the size of a penny and its rate of growth makes me nervous. She hasn't lost any fur and she acts normal. I just would like a little info before i walk her into the vets office. Does this sound familiar at all?

  • Hi Sue, I'm not a vet, but this sounds like it could either be a growth or perhaps some type of hernia, depending on the lump's location. It is a very good idea to let your vet have a look, so go ahead and make that appointment. Hopefully this is nothing that will be difficult to treat or repair.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Sue

we recently got a dog @ bout 9months old..has his shots.. he is loosing a lot of weight,hair falling off, and he as a bad smell...

  • Hi Vic,

I'm not a vet, and skin conditions can be a bit tricky to diagnose. It sounds as though your dog may have a staff infection, but in any case you should take him to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you can get your new companion healthy again very soon. He is a luck dog to have you. :)

-- Contributed by: vic

I have a 6wk old puppy, that has sores that keep appearing on her head. One has gone away, with application of Neosporine, but two more have appeared. They look kind of like a wound would if a person were to fall on asphalt or concrete. She is one out of a litter of 5, and the rest are ok. Is it the mother doing it, or an infection? Are the other pups going to be ok? Also, one of here eyes is blue, and they both look kind of buggy. Not sure if that has anything to do with it, or not.

  • Hi Harley,

I'm not a vet, but I tend to suspect that there is more going on with this puppy than meets the eye. The protruding eyes and possible head rubbing might mean there's something happening inside the skull to cause pressure and perhaps irritation. This could be a case of hydroencephaly. To get an accurate diagnosis, it would be best to ask your vet to examine this particular pup. I'm glad to hear that everyone else in the litter is doing well.

Best wishes that everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: harley

i have a 6 year old bulldog and he as started to lose his hair it is on his back and looks like a circle there are different sizes of hair lose

  • Hi Dave,

This sounds very much like a case of ringworm. It's contagious to humans, so you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: dave

My boxer is perfectly healthy but she has gone to the vet for allergies in the past. She licks her paws like crazy and they are almost always pretty red (the vet said it's from her saliva). Recently, I've noticed a pink/red patch on her belly, not a sore, but more of a patch of pink dry skin. What could this be? It's apparently pretty sensitive because when I rub her belly, she shakes her back leg like it tickles.

  • Hi Kathryn, yes the saliva will turn the paws red, but that doesn't explain why she's licking. Compulsive paw licking is often a sign of a yeast infection, so you should ask your vet to check your dog for this possibility. The itchy spot on your dog's tummy may be also related to yeast, but make sure to point it out to your vet when you take your dog in for her feet.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kathryn

My dog is 4 years old and has never have a problem with itching nor has he ever had fleas. Nor have I seen any fleas. Recently he has started to itch uncontrollability. I have noticed that he has like black dirt particles and little bumps around is neck. This is where he is mainly itching. I have a feeling that another dog that we have just taken in has given whatever this is to him so I will be treating both dogs once I find out what this is. Please help.

  • Hi Nicole, the bumps sound like Flea Bites and the black specks sound like flea dirt. Most dogs pick up fleas at some point in their life, no matter how careful we are. Check out our article on Flea Control for more advice. :)
-- Contributed by: Nicole

Our Newfoundland has had skin problems for sometime. Blood tests confirmed that he had a thyroid condition. However, he has since had two yeast infections which were treated and cleared up. Now, even with him in a dry cool place, it looks like he is sweating under his chin. there is little odour but sticky to the touch. Any ideas what it might be or the cause?

  • Hi Jack, skin problems are notoriously difficult to diagnose. This could be a case of moist dermatitis, but you need to let your vet examine your dog to know for sure.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Jack

My mom and dad's 8 year old Blue Healer just started losing her fur, she has bumps all over the top of her head. Her fur is thinning from her head back. It just started after her litter of puppies were gone, she has had several litters, and this has never happened. Any ideas?? Thank You

  • Hi Quay,

I'm not a vet, but it sounds like your parent's dog may have a bacterial skin infection. These infections are difficult to diagnose and required a veterinarain's expert eye to sort out the right diagnosis. I am providing you with a link to a table at PetEducation.com that will help you get some idea of what is going on with the dog, but she'll still require veterinary care to correct the situation and regrow her fur.

Thanks for your question!

-- Contributed by: Quay

On New Year's Eve, my dog developed what looks like red welts all over her body and by the time we really saw it the next morning, her one eye was nearing swollen shut and the welts were just everywhere. We tried to give her benedryl and it seemed to work about halfway, but the welts are still from her mid section back mildly and now she's vomitting. Can someone help me? The vet is just so expensive. Thanks for your help in advance.

  • Hi Alicia,

I'm not a vet, but this really sounds like a severe case of hives to me. It was probably brought on by an allergic reaction to something. I realize the vet trip won't be cheap, but you owe it to your dog to find out what is going on.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Alicia

Hi~ My 15 month old soft coated wheaton terrier dog has scabs all over her head, chin, and snout. She has had them for months now and we have been to the vet many times (and 3 different vets) to have it looked at. She has had antibiotics, special food and a steroid shot that has not helped. The vet recommended new specail food and fish oil and we will re check her after two months. But the scabs bleed when she stratches them and she is constantly scratching and is irritated when we touch them. I feel like the vets are not looking close enough to see that she has SO MANY scabs all over her face and I am afraid they may become infected, and dont know what to look for if they do. Is this a sign of a more serious problem. Any advice would help...please!

  • Hi Melissa,

I'm not a vet, but it does sound as if your vet has pursued a food allergy diagnosis. Sometimes vets take the quick route and simply switch a dog to a Hypoallergenic Dog Food without testing to find out exactly which food(s) cause the reaction. You might ask your vet to carry out such a test to see if a food allergy is truly the cause of your dog's scabbing.

Barring that, if a parasitic infestation can be ruled out, your vet should probably look into whether this could be an autoimmune disorder. This diagnosis would require a blood analysis to search for antibodies.

I hope these suggestions give you some new direction in the search for what is causing the scabbing. In the meantime, you'll be able to tell if the scabs become infected if they begin to ooze pus. If this happens, let your vet know right away.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope your dog is feeling better soon.

-- Contributed by: Melissa

Hi, we have a wheaton terrior puppy that is recently chewing at her paws. After losing our first wheaton to the dog food scare last year we only prepare her food now...We are wondering if Madison is sensative to something that is in her food or if she is just doing this because she wants more? It seems to get worse when we are not home. Please advise...Thank You!

  • Hi Cheryl,

It would be a good idea to have your vet examine your dog's paws. A yeast infection can cause itchy paws. The chewing could also be related to a food allergy, and your vet should be able to examine your dog's diet and test for allergens.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Cheryl

Hi My name is amber I have a 4 month old male pitbull. When i got him he was covered with fleas, we gave him a bath and put flea medicine on him and i haven't seen any fleas but He has the bumps that look like pimples on humans and the have puss that comes out of them when they are popped and he has spots where he's lost hair it looks like it's growing back in a little bit. His face looks terrible cause he's scratching all the time. I don't know what to do and I feel bad for him please help me. Thank you, Amber

  • Hi Amber,

This sounds like a case of puppy pyoderma. This is a skin infection that causes the kind of small pustules you're describing. Your vet can clear this up for you fairly easily with some medication.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog is back to normal soon :)

-- Contributed by: Amber

my 9 month old dog has a bacterial infection on the inside of his leg. im treating it with antibiotics perscribed by the vet but i need to know if theres anything i can do in the mean-time while the antibiotics work to make him more comfortable. i tried shampooing the area thoroughly with a ichty skin shampoo with tea tree oil but i dont think its helped at all. any ideas? please!

thanks, lauren

Expert Reply

Hi Lauren,

There's an over the counter treatment called Sulfodene that is used to treat hot spots. If your dog has an open sore on his leg, this might help heal it a little faster. Feel free to check with your vet before using it. You can find Sulfodene at most pet supply stores.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog heals quickly.

-- Contributed by: lauren

My 4 month old pitbull has dry bald spots all along his body. It started with one and has now become a lot more. It isn't red, and he never scratches at them or pays any attention to them, its just bald spots and his skin is very dry. I started using oatmeal shampoo and got medicated conditioner but is there any thing else i should do?

Expert Reply

Hi Jenny,

There could be a number of things causing your dog's bald spots. Extremely dry skin can cause a certain amount of balding, but a fungal infection called ringworm could also be the cause of your dog's patchy hair loss.

I think you should really make an appointment with your vet. It may require a skin punch to uncover what is causing your dog's hair to fall out.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your vet can get to the bottom of this issue.

-- Contributed by: jenny

Dear , i am a vet i will tell you , there is so many cause of skin itch. In market there are so many vaccine of pet are available , first visit your dog to any nearest vet hospital , clinic. there is 7 days course of dog skin treatment , and ur pet will get well soon.

Dr. Thapliyal - a indian doctore

-- Contributed by: subhash chander

I've got a dog no one can identify...he's white, mid sized, with huge ears that stand straight up on his head, and absolutely the most intelligent dog I've ever known. Some say he's a purebred, but can't nail it down... Anyway, he's got a skin condition with lots of pink rash and has lost much of his hair, exposing his skin which is pink with lots of grey polka dots...the rash is the worst on his underbelly just in front of his hind legs...his head and face are normal, no hair loss or rash, and when hair does grow on the rest of his body it's fairly long, but he just cant hang on to it...any ideas?

Expert Reply

Hi Eric,

Skin rashes can be quite tricky to diagnose, so it would be a good idea to let your vet have a first hand look. Your vet should be able to tell if this is a fungal condition or perhaps a skin allergy. Once the cause is pinpointed your vet will be able to prescribe a treatment.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to get the rash cleared up soon.

-- Contributed by: eric

Hello I have a beautiful Irish Setter 7 years old. He has developed dime size bumps around his neck, on his side and lacking hair along the top ridge line of his back. His thyroid blood work appears only slightly low. I am not pleased with his doctor and I want to find out what is wrong. His food is Imams and has been since birth. Can you help guide me what to do. PS. We also tried antibiotics too.

Expert Reply

Hi Sherry,

I'm not a vet, and I don't want to scare you unecessarily, but did your vet try to determine if these lumps are tumors? Tumors can be begnin growths or cancerous, so their presence doesn't automatically mean your dog is sick. Some pets tend to develop these growths as they age.

The hair loss along the spine is likely due to your dog's thyroid condition. All in all, if you don't believe your vet is aggressively pursuing a diagnosis, by all means get a second opinion.

Some vets shine as diagnosticians while others are better at determining treatment once the cause of a problem has been identified.

I'm a big fan of second opinions, so you do whatever you feel you need to do to get your dog the treatment he needs.

Best wishes, and I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with you pet.

-- Contributed by: Sherry

Hi Adessa,

Have you checked the new pup thoroughly for fleas? Their bites look like tiny red bumps. If a dog is allergic to flea saliva, she can quickly chew and scratch her way into a skin rash.

Whatever caused her rash, the fact that your other two dogs have developed similar skin problems makes me suspect that she brought something in with her. I'd take the new pup to the vet first to have her diagnosed and treated. Then you can ask your vet about the other two dogs and see if he/she wants to see them, or if medication can be prescribed based on similar symptoms. It will help if you know their weights ahead of time.

Best wishes for everyone's recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a question. We just recieved a new puppy she is a toy australian shepard and when we got her she had some sort of skin rash. Before we got her we also had a toy rat terrior and a regular rat terrior. When the new puppy arrived the toy begain itching as the puppy would and the regular started gettiong random bumps usually two or three at a time looking almost like a pimple and going away after a few weeks. Is this something to be worried about?

-- Contributed by: Adessa

Hello! Good Site! Thank you!

-- Contributed by: otbnmfnpla
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