A Rash That Hasn't Improved After Two Months of Medicines

When a rash hasn't improved after two months of an antibiotic, a steroid and now an antifungal, the next step is usually to find out exactly what's going on rather than trying more medicines. Common reasons are an underlying allergy that keeps driving the itch, an infection caused by bacteria that aren't killed by the antibiotic used, mites, or an unusual skin disease.

Tests that often help: skin cytology (looking at tape or swab samples under the microscope), skin scrapings for mites, a bacterial culture to choose the right antibiotic, and a skin biopsy if a growth or unusual sores are developing. Ask your vet which of these have been done, or ask for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.

Please don't change or stop the prescribed medicines on your own; check with your vet first. Stopping steroids suddenly can be risky. Meanwhile, a cone or T-shirt can help stop the licking that keeps the skin inflamed. See skin infections in dogs and itchy skin in dogs.

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