My dog has oily skin and cysts on her back. What should I do?

A few things to consider. She should be tested for hypothyroidism to make sure she doesn't have a thyroid condition. She probably needs to be on some type of allergy medication long term to control any allergies that are contributing to her skin condition. Your vet could try an antihistamine, like hydroxyzine, and see if that helps. There is also a new medication called Apoquel which seems to work very well. She should also stay on the antibiotics for at least 3-4 weeks before stopping. Adding Free Form Snip Tips may also help keep her skin healthy. You could also try a hypoallergenic diet like z/d for 8 weeks and see if that helps. Lastly, you could take her to a veterinary dermatologist if your vet can't get her condition under control.

It sounds like she has a lot of seborrhea which is oil. This could be due to an infection like yeast or bacteria on her skin but it could also be due to allergies. I like dechra's dermabenss shampoo. It really cuts the oil and has a pleasant smell. Be sure to leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing. I would bathe her at least twice a week. If there are any crusts, ulcerations, black "elephant" skin then she will likely need to see your vet in order to be completely resolved as there is likely an infection involved as well. I would also start her a Benadryl regimen twice a day. See link below. I hope this helps. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/cat/benadryl/#!

Unfortunately some of these cysts and adenomas do tend to rupture and become infected repeatedly. If that is the case we often do recommend removal to avoid this continuous cycle. It may also be advised to remove it to ensure that it is a benign adenoma and not something more concerning or aggressive.

Oily hair often indicates that there is an underlying problem that is not allowing the skin to maintain a healthy environment. This could be caused by a metabolic condition like hypothyroidism, or a nutritional deficiency. In order to narrow-down the cause of this, you will need to take her to a vet. A vet can help narrow-down the underlying problem with a standard examination and advise you on the necessary diagnostics and/or treatment. For now, you can help to keep the coat free from oil and infection (they often have secondary infections with this disorder) by giving a bath once every three days with a medicated shampoo (can get this at the pet store). It's best to ensure the shampoo is worked well into her coat and is allowed to have at-least 15 minutes of contact time on the skin. Make sure to rinse and dry her well. I hope that helps and your dog gets better soon.

It could be a pyoderma (skin infection). See your veterinarian for an exam. He or she may diagnose bacterial or fungal skin infection and can prescribe the appropriate medication afterwards. Treatment may be topical, systemic or a combination. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement, such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps, to her diet to promote healthy skin and coat. Place an e-collar (cone) on your dog if she is licking or chewing excessively.

Sweetie Pie looks like a happy girl! You might ask your veterinarian about a steroid cream to decrease inflammation. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You can wash the lesion once a day (not her whole body, just the lesion). Once it is dried, you can apply a dab of organic coconut oil and rub it in well. Make sure she does not lick this as it can cause GI upset. You can also ask your vet if removal is the best option. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

These look like they are probably blackheads/comedones. https://www.petinsuranceu.com/comedone-syndrome-in-dogs/ Most of the time this can be treated at home with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo designed for dogs. Here's a great one: https://www.amazon.com/DermaPet-Benzoyl-Peroxide-Shampoo-DermaBenSS/dp/B00JBCGQNS/ref=sm_n_ma_dka_US_pr_ran_0_0?adId=B00JBCGQNS&creativeASIN=B00JBCGQNS&linkId=e62eca48c814102998ed6a0ec5b5b13f&tag=consumadvoca-20&linkCode=w43&ref-refURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petinsuranceu.com%2Fcomedone-syndrome-in-dogs%2F&slotNum=0&imprToken=786O2r4KrtUEdPZP8q0xkQ&adType=smart&adMode=manual&adFormat=grid&impressionTimestamp=1555519537984 If she is licking at them a lot, or seems bothered in these areas, have her examined by your vet, as sometimes secondary bacterial infections can develop. Thanks for asking PetCoach!