My German Shepherd has a bad rash. Does he need an urgent vet visit?

Poor Jupiter! This rash could be caused by a contact allergy or a skin infection. She should see a vet for it, as the cause of it needs to be diagnosed in order for it to be treated properly. The vet can prescribe medication for it as well. I can give you a link to website that will help you find low cost clinics in your area if money is a concern. The cost of an office visit will vary by location and clinics within a specific location, so you can call vet clinics to inquire about their prices. I would have Jupiter seen by a vet tomorrow for this rash. Tonight, you can try giving her an Epsom salt bath as that may give her some temporary relief. to keep her from licking at it, I would put an Ecollar on her as well. I can give you a link to a website detailing how to make one at home. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Poor Teddy! It sounds like he is suffering from some severe allergies that is causing this persisting rash. I would take him into the vet for an exam. It sounds like he could use a strong medication to stop the rash, such as a steroid. I would take Teddy into the vet today or tomorrow during normal business hours.

You can monitor the area and see if there is any improvement. These spots look more like a bacterial skin infection than a pure allergic reaction so it wouldn't be surprising if there is no improvement. If this is an infection it could stay the same or get worse. If by tomorrow there is no response it is unlikely to be an allergy and Chevy needs to be seen by his veterinarian for treatment.

I am very sorry to hear about your pup's chronic issues. I think the major question we need to ask ourself is, "Why is this happening?" The main reasons for rashes and itching in dogs are flea allergies, food allergies, and atopic dermatitis. We always want to rule out the first two before considering the third, as it is much more difficult to deal with and assess. With that said, you should first make sure that you are using a good flea / tick preventative medication. Given the current skin issues, I would go with something oral or a collar in terms of formulation. If this helps clear things up, great new! In terms of food allergies, this requires a systematic and methodical approach in order to rule out one food type at a time. You will have to pick one protein to feed over the course of 6-8 week periods, and feed ONLY that protein. Any addition of anything else will throw off the food trial and would require it to start all over again. There are many different food out there to try, so food trials can often take a long time before ruling this out as the cause of discomfort. If we are convinced food isn't the cause, significant diagnostics and medical therapies will be required to address atopic dermatitis. Typically, itchy disease processes such as these are better dealt with when in conjunction with an anti itching medication. This can include something like a steroid, antihistamine, or preferably a drug called Apoquel. I understand you can not afford regular vet visits for constant dermatologic work-ups. However, it might really beneficial if you can get her in there just once to have a professional get a look at what is happening. They might be able to guide you in the right direction relatively inexpensively. You can also consider reposting on her with some photos of the lesions to better allow us to help you and your dog. Hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Loki. I am glad that he is seeing his veterinarian. He may have a bacterial skin infection. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but allergies are a common cause. Has he been licking the area? This can make it worse. I recommend bathing him with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner such as an oatmeal or fatty acid based formula to help soothe his skin. Place an E-collar on him if he is licking. I hope this information helps!

Hi and thanks for your post. It is hard to say exactly what the cause of Blitz's rash may be due to without examining Buster first, but I can offer some possibilities and next steps. Some possibilities may include a fungal infection, bacterial infection, mites, a food or environmental allergy. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with a fungal culture, skin scraping, and/or an allergy screening. I would recommend Blitz visit his vet soon to get a definitive diagnosis so the most appropriate treatment can be prescribed. Best to you and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Poor Hank! I'm sorry to hear that he's having this problem. It sounds like you have tried some good options so far - but since oatmeal baths, topical sprays, and changing foods have not helped, it's definitely time to see a vet. There are quite a few skin problems that can cause a rash with excessive itching like this, including allergies, a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites (mange). Prescription medication such as a steroid and/or antibiotic is generally needed to treat these problems, which is why a vet visit is essential. Your vet can do some simple skin tests to help diagnose the problem and get Hank started on appropriate medication to treat it.