Dog Skin Rash Treatment

by Dorian
(NJ USA)

Reader Question:

The skin rash problem started on small area on the leg and then appeared on the top left part of the chest. Now it is a half dollar size rash.

She is 3 ponds 11 ounces. I have her on children's dye free Benadryl and topical hydrocortisone 1% cream...

For a diet she has been on raw diet/cooked three times a day of organic chicken, salmon ,tilapia, baby carrot string beans, probiotic yogurt ,organic brown rice and I supplement with omega 3,6,9.

Four different vets now all say to use Animex but its not helping. I do apply a very small amount on the scabs that have formed... I have Clobetasol propionate cream o.05% that I have NOT used. I was told provide Amoxicillin at 5mg per pound so she has been on 25 mg 3x day every 8 hours..

The smaller rash on her lower tummy and inside back legs has improved and her ears were completely bright red with a few raised pimples have improved since on amoxicillin.. The rash on the left side of the chest and left inside has had a few pus like raised lesions that have now gone away but the rash is raised and dry now and is bright red. I did apply topical cream Hydrocortisone but little to no help 3 times a day.

The rash has slowly progressed and Ivan was just panic stricken. She is my therapy dog for my mental health and I am worried sick this could get even worse. I am just dumb founded at the lack of knowledge of four vets at same animal hospital . They have dismissed this in its very early stages as I was so adamant given the horrible conditions I saved her from. I am concerned that this is the beginning of a serious issue and not a rash that can be addressed with an oatmeal bath and Animex...please if u can find it in your heart I need help.


Thank you
Dorian


Veterinarian Suggestion for Treating A Dog Skin Rash


Hi Dorian,

I’m sorry to hear that your dog’s skin condition has not improved despite all your efforts. Based on your description, I can’t determine exactly what type of diagnostic work up your dog has had, just that none of the recommended treatments have done much to help. Let me tell you how I handle cases like these.

My first step is to run a few simple diagnostic tests, usually a skin scraping to look for mange mites, skin cytology to diagnose any yeast or bacterial skin infections, and a fungal culture for ringworm. The ringworm test can take a few weeks to complete, so while we’re waiting for those results, I’ll treat for anything that I’ve found and often put the patient on a broad spectrum parasiticide like Revolution to kill some of the parasites that can be hard to find on diagnostic tests.

If these initial tests all come back negative and the dog isn’t doing significantly better on whatever treatment I’ve prescribed, the next step is usually to investigate the possibility of allergies. Dogs can be allergic to environmental triggers (pollen, mold, etc.) or to ingredients in their food. Diagnosing a food allergy requires a strict food trial lasting at least 6-8 weeks during which the dog eats nothing but a diet that contains only novel protein and carbohydrate sources or proteins that have been hydrolyzed. Intradermal skin testing is the best way to diagnose environmental allergies, although blood testing can be considered for some individuals.

If allergies seem unlikely or test results are all normal, I may then recommend skin biopsies.

As you can see, getting to the bottom of some types of skin problems in dogs is not a simple endeavor. Making an appointment with a veterinary dermatologist is a good option if you aren’t getting the answers you need from your primary care veterinarian.


Best of luck,
Jennifer Coates, DVM