My 5-year-old Shar-Pei's back leg keeps itching. What can I do?

Hello! A picture of the lesion would help us give more helpful input. However, if Shiloh's skin is flaky and itchy, it could be a number of things, including superficial pyoderma, demodicosis, sarcoptes, yeast dermatitis, and ringworm. It is difficult to narrow down the causes without doing an exam on her or at least seeing the lesions, but it is very likely some sort of infection (whether bacterial, yeast, or parasitic) so I do recommend bringing Shiloh to the vet. Your vet will be able to determine the cause, and Shiloh will likely need prescription medication (antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-parasite, along with possible medicated shampoo) to clear the issue. Depending on the severity of the issue on her skin, it very likely might not improve without prescription meds, so it is worth having her seen as soon as possible. Additionally, depending on her age, she may have some underlying condition that might be making her skin susceptible to infection, such as allergies or hypothyroidism. I hope this helps.

It looks like she could have a skin infection and/or an allergic dermatitis. You could clean the area with a wound wash and see if it continues to improve. Otherwise, she should be examined by a vet for treatment. She may need an antibiotic, antihistamine, or a corticosteroid to help treat.

KEO certainly sounds uncomfortable! Skin issues can be difficult to manage and can take a very long time to improve. Since KEO's skin issues have occurred since he was a puppy, I am curious if he has ever had a skin scraping for Demodex mites. This mite can be transmitted to puppies from their mother. Other causes of chronic itchiness include allergies to food, environmental changes, fleas, or other insects. KEO's head shaking could indicate ear mites, but dogs more commonly develop bacterial and/or fungal (yeast) ear infections. Make sure that KEO is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative (such as Nexgard, Bravecto or Advantix) regularly and bathe him every 1-2 weeks in a gentle oatmeal shampoo. Otherwise, there are no effective at home remedies for this situation. I understand your concerns for KEO's comfort, but at this point, it sounds as though your best bet is to take him back to the vet for a recheck exam. Excessive itching can cause a skin infection, which requires prescription antibiotics and anti-itch medications. Ear infections require prescription ear medications based upon the type of infection present. If he is diagnosed with Demodex mites, he would need prescription medications to treat these. I hope that all goes well!

You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for a skin exam. Your dog could be suffering from an allergy, mites, fleas, a bacterial or fungal infection. each of these requires a different treatment, so it is important to find out what is causing the itch. Your vet will do a thorough exam and maybe a a skin scrape. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications, possibly give an injection to stop the itching.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Paris! Medicated shampoos may work for a skin infection but rarely fix the problem by themselves. If she doesn't have an infection a medicated shampoo will likely not help at all. I would be sure Paris is on a good flea medication (the back is a common location for fleas). I like the oral formulations like Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica or the Seresto collar. Otherwise Paris may have allergies and need to have her diet changed (chicken is the biggest allergen in dogs with food allergies), something to control the scratching (apoquel, antihistamines) and medications to get rid of an infection if present. Since the shampoos has failed, I would have Paris seen by your Vet for an exam, if she is constantly scratching and biting she is uncomfortable! I hope this helps and I wish Paris the very best!

This could be an abscess or a cyst that has grown and then ruptured. Shar peis also tend to have a skin condition known as mucinosis where thick fluid called mucin accumulates under the skin - it is possible that your dog is suffering from this condition as well. I'd recommend having a vet examine in person since antibiotics or other medications might be necessary.

Hello. Poor Chiquis has allergies, probably an inhalant one to pollen, grasses or dust mites. If you can get her to your veterinarian, she will have very good medications to control the symptoms. These include Apoquel & Cytopoint . You can try a hypoallergenic shampoo to help quiet her symptoms, but this will be temporary, lasting a day or so. But you can bathe her 2-3 times a week to minimize the symptoms. I would try Douxo Calm, or Hylyt antiitch shampoos, both available on Chewy.com. Also, start her on a fish oil supplement. I really recommend Nordic Naturals, also available on chewy.com, to help with the itching. Her symptoms can be controlled, but not cured unless you invest in allergy testing & a desensitization protocol, so check in with your veterinarian at your earliest convenience. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.