Numb, Non-Healing Neck Lesions With Black Scabs on an Old Westie
by A reader
Reader Question
My dog is a 12 year old Westie and has been fighting a skin disorder that no one seems to be able to help. He has had skin scrapings taken and sent to two university labs. One said it resembled a fugus infection but not quite and the other said it possible be a reaction from Rabies vacinations, however, no kind of treatment has worked. (he was treated in each case) This all started with he was 6. He acts normal in every way, does not scatch these liasions or scabs. He has now lost all hair around the left side of his neck. First the hair falls out then a lesion appears, it will scab over but the scab that forms is not normal. It grows on it's own to a dept of about 1/8 of an inch and is very black then will fall off leaving the open wound once again. This scab is smelling ie like dead or rotting skin. No one has suggested changing his diet and I'm wanting to to anything to spare this wonderful little pet. Currently I'm on my own with cleaning it daily and keeping it covered with a scarf or small shirt. He never seems to mind at all with the cleaning process - it is almost as if this raw area is numb. Once a lesion has healed
the hair does not grow back. He now has one that has open on his right side. Up until this point in time it has confined itselt to the neck area. It first started with little scabs on the tip of both ears. I though orignally he was knick be the groomer. The scabs on his inside ear tips are still there and have not gone away or opened up. ANY SUGGESTIONS would be so appreciated.
Answer from Our Team
Lesions that lose hair first, then open, form thick black scabs that smell, and don't regrow hair afterward, are typical of damaged skin with a poor blood supply. One known cause is a reaction to the rabies vaccine (ischemic dermatopathy or vasculitis), which often appears near the vaccine site and can spread. Some immune and fungal skin diseases can look similar.
Ask your vet or a veterinary dermatologist about a biopsy of the edge of a new lesion, if possible. Treatments for vaccine-related vasculitis exist and can help, including medicines that improve blood flow to the skin and anti-inflammatory treatment. Ask about avoiding rabies vaccine at that site in future, as legally allowed.
Keep doing what you're doing with gentle cleaning and covering. Diet changes alone are unlikely to fix it, but a good-quality diet with omega-3s supports skin healing.
See dog skin conditions.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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