I have two pit bull mix females, mother and daughter. The mother is about 8, daughter is about 6 1/2. Both of them were born in South Florida, and then I moved to East Tennessee about 4 1/2 years ago. About a year after moving here, I noticed that the daughter started developing a red inflamed skin condition on her stomach and thigh pit areas. The mother did not seem to develop the same symptoms until 6 months to a year later, as she is the stronger of the two, health wise. The problem seems to come and go throughout the last 2-3 years, and seems to be mostly in the summertime, but is starting to happen more often this winter. They are mostly indoor dogs, but do spend some time outdoors, especially in the summer. I have brought them to the vet for the problem at least 10-15 times, have spent a fortune trying to get an answer to the problem, but the vet does not have a clue what is causing the problem. Now, after several years, and lots of money spent, the vet finally has suggested doing a allergy test on them. I have changed their food several times, with what appeared to be a temporary fix, then it starting all over again. Again, some days no problem, then others, major red inflamed skin appears on both of them, in the same places. After a week
or so of the problem, the skin turns a blackish blue color, and then the skin starts to peel in the affected area, and then the skin starts to crack and split, with a slight sheen to the area. Then it will go away for a week or so, then returns. When it subsides, the affected area turns into a very wrinkled appearance, as the skin has been subjected to the inflamed condition for several years now. Please take a look at the pictures, and let me know if you have any ideas. I have been referred to a dog skin vet that is very well known in the industry, but I am facing a large fee to have them tested for allergies. Please let me know your thoughts, thank you for your time!
