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Hard, Itchy, Hive-Like Bumps All Over a Young Pit Bull

by A reader

Reader Question
My 1 year old male blue nose pitbull is covered in hard itchy bumps that vary in size. He has been licking, scratching, and biting all over. Bumps are located on his his entire body. He is mostly white so they are very noticeable. They look like lumps in the morning because he stays up scratching and biting all night. I tried changing his food to a different brand of dog food but there was no change in symptoms. I put a canine antibiotic ointment on him, used oatmeal shampoo, gave him an oatmeal bath, and gave him an antibiotic for dogs, but the bumps and itching won't go away. The bumps really look like hives. I can't afford to go to the vet due to a recent loss of employment. Please tell me anything I can do to help my poor pit.


Answer from Our Team

Itchy bumps all over that look like hives in a young short-coated dog are most often an allergy (environmental, flea or food) or a bacterial skin infection of the hair follicles, which often happens on top of allergies. Sarcoptic mange (scabies) also causes intense all-over itching and is worth ruling out, especially if he's been around other dogs.

Things to try that don't cost much: strict flea control on all pets in the home, a gentle oatmeal shampoo once or twice a week, and a cone or T-shirt to stop him damaging his skin at night. Please don't give leftover antibiotics, which can make later infections harder to treat. Ask a vet before giving an antihistamine, since some products contain ingredients unsafe for dogs.

A low-cost clinic visit for a skin scraping and quick skin test can find the cause, and if it's mange, treatment is inexpensive and works well. See a vet urgently if his face swells or he has trouble breathing. If cost is a worry, ask your vet about a payment plan, or look for a low-cost clinic, humane society clinic or veterinary school near you.

See itchy dog skin.

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

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