Reader Question
after the hot spell we had at the begining of summer my dog became itchy. Scratching dragging bottom and going in circles. Biting himself. I noticed a red sore on chest first that looked bloody. also hair is thining bald spots loss of hair on legs and almost bald tail. took him too vet and he said may be allergy to grass. gave him a shot for itching that would only last for a couple of weeks and a cream to put on sore. didnt work. again to vet and gave me antbiotic and oil to put in food. seemed to help but now he has started back the same as befor. Ive given him medicated baths and also sulfadene in red spots and hair loss spots. His skin is dry and flakey too and still itching. Im at my wits end. so i will be going back to vet for 3rd time. could he have mange or mites. I am also itching all over and my hubby broke out with red rash with lil bumps that r very small. I have scrubbed doen everything, vacumed pulled bedding apart and washed everything in hot water with arm and hammer drmatologist with no perfumes. hubby got a cream for his problem but doing welo now. used cream too but im still itchy. had blood work done on me for allergies pending. Doc said i dont or hubby have scabies. am going crazy with this. my other dog is now itchy and seen 3 red spots. He has a sore red ear
and shaking heas but i have drops for that from vet. He is prone to ear infedctions but i am wondering if he has mites. Our one dog sleeps at the foot of our bed. DOC DOESNT THINK WE CAUGHT ANYTHING FROM HIM BUT NOT SURE. wOULD U HAVE ANY ADVISE TO HELP OUR ITCHY FAMILY. iTCHING GETS WORSE AT NIGHT FOR ME. hELP THE ITCH FAMILY
Answer from Our Team
We're sorry your whole household is going through this. When several dogs and the people they sleep with are all itchy, sarcoptic mange (canine scabies) is worth raising with your vet, even though it wasn't found before. Scabies mites are missed on skin scrapings in about half of cases, and many dogs with scabies are first thought to have allergies. Fleas are another common cause of itchy pets and itchy bites on people.
Ask your vet whether a treatment trial for scabies makes sense for both dogs at the same time, using a prescription product such as Revolution or Advantage Multi, which are FDA-approved for sarcoptic mange. A good response helps confirm the diagnosis. Your dog's sore, red ear may simply be his usual ear trouble, but mention it too.
If it is scabies, the dog mites can't survive or reproduce on people, so your rash should fade within a couple of weeks once the dogs are treated. Keep working with your own doctor, and let them know your vet is considering mange. Read more about sarcoptic mange and how it affects people.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
