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A Boxer Still Breaking Out After Weeks of Antifungal Shampoo

by A reader

Reader Question
My Boxer was diagnosed with a fungal infection and given a shampoo. After 4 weeks, his hair loss patches are regrowing, but he still breaks out on his body, legs and head and is very itchy. Is the shampoo bringing the fungus out? My vet wants to continue for 3 more weeks, then consider allergy tests. He's been broken out since spring and has been on antihistamines and steroid tablets. He's on a grain-free diet. I feel there's more I should be doing.


Answer from Our Team

Shampoos don't 'bring the fungus out'. New breakouts usually mean something else is still going on, most often an allergy, which is very common in Boxers, or a bacterial skin infection on top of the yeast. Yeast itself usually grows because of an allergy underneath.

It's reasonable to ask your vet for a quick tape or swab test of the new spots, to see whether bacteria or yeast are present. Treating any infection and controlling the itch with modern anti-itch medicines can make him much more comfortable now, while the allergy plan is worked out.

A proper food trial with a hydrolyzed or new-protein diet for at least 8 weeks, with nothing else by mouth, is the best way to rule out food allergy. Grain-free diets don't usually help, as grains are rarely the cause. A veterinary dermatologist can be a big help with long-standing cases.

See fungal skin infections in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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