Dog Skin Itch

Reader Question:Dog Skin Itch

My 2 dachshunds have developed areas where they are peeling like sunburn. Some areas have pimple like nodules that will peel off (then skin around it peels) while other areas on the lower stomach and inside thigh area just have skin that is peeling like sunburn in little sheets if skin.

Just wondering... Now that the 2nd dachshund has developed I just thought it was probably a contagious infection and will take to vet. Doesn't seem to bother them but they do scratch at it. I had been giving them fish oil everyday but have stopped thinking maybe they were allergic to it.

Thanks,

Vet Suggestion for Dog Skin Itch

Hello,

I doubt that the fish oil is to blame for your dogs’ skin problems, but it certainly won’t hurt to take them off of it while you figure out what is going on.

I too am concerned that they have something that has spread between the two dogs so I think you are doing the right thing by taking them to your veterinarian. He or she can run skin scrapings to look for mites, cytology to rule out infection, and a fungal culture for ringworm if necessary.

Another possibility is something in the environment that is irritating their skin. Have you started using any new cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, etc. that they could be in contact with?

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM