My dog has an itchy rash and bald spots from licking. What's wrong?

Those spots on Riley could be several things including allergies, skin mites, flea bites, ringworm (which humans can get) or a bacterial infection. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can wash the lesions with soap once a day and rinse well (don't wash his whole body, just those spots). Protect the areas from licking or scratching and he may need to wear and Elizabethan collar at all times. Since he is still licking the lesions, it's hard to know if the changes to the lesions are a sign of recovery or a worsening. You MUST stop the licking. If the lesions don't start looking better within about a week or if they get worse, have him examined again by the veterinarian who may prescribe additional medications. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

This could be from an insect bite or injury that he’s licked excessively. I would place him in a cone and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it daily. If it doesn’t improve in about ten days then you can take him in for a skin scraping to check for mange. I don’t often see localized demodex in a dog this age. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ralph.

This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Wist with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. advocate or advantage), then get him to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveale an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy. Some medications can be given by the vet in order to stop the chewing and repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start him on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months. There is also a nice topical spray available if the problem remains on the paws only, it's called Cortavance and you can get it at the vets. Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting him on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).

This may be due to parasites (fleas, mites), infection (bacterial or fungal) or allergies. Lucero would need to be physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. This may take diagnostics such as skin scrapes, cultures, allergy testing or food elimination trials. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking or chewing. Treat him for fleas, even if you don't see any, using a topical or oral preventative. Treat monthly for 3 consecutive months, preferably year round. Treat the environment as well by vacuuming everywhere and washing all bedding. An area treatment, such as Knockout ES or Indorex, should also be used. If Lucero has allergies, they can be frustrating to diagnose. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with your veterinarian.

The dog who is licking that spot is probably doing so because the skin there had a very small lump that smelled different or the skin itself had an infection. Take the dog with the affected spot to your vet to have this area examined. You can also put an E-collar (cone) on the dog who is licking it, to prevent him from being able to do so. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Anything you apply will likely be licked off before it has a chance to help. Your best option is to place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking. Contact your veterinarian and ask about OTC or prescription antihistamines that may help if an allergic reaction is involved. A fish oil supplement may also help promote healthy skin. If symptoms persist, consider an exam to rule out infection or injury. You can also discuss allergy testing, food allergies and environmental allergies in depth with your veterinarian.

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question about Romeo. Poor boy. This rash could be caused by fleas, mites, or allergies. The cause of the rash needs to be diagnosed so he can be treated correctly. I do not recommend using a rash cream or anti-itch cream. Not only may it be the wrong treatment for the rash, but he will just lick it off and these creams contain ingredients not safe for a dog to ingest. I'd have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Tonight, put an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking. You can buy one at a pet store or make one at home. I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html