One of my dogs has been suffering from some itchy rash for over a year. We've taken her to the vet many times, and each time he tries something different. Right now she's just taking steroids for the itching. I'm going to try a new vet soon. It's costing a fortune, and she's not getting any better. For those of you who work with dogs, any ideas???
Thanks!

By Yjja123 on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 10:18 am:

Oh--Poor Baby! He looks so sad.
In an area that is not raw try Avon skin so soft. This worked on my parents dog that had an itch and vet couldn't determine why. It sooths the skin and tastes bad so they do not lick it off.

By Texannie on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 10:27 am:

WOW..that looks like what is going on with my dog too! He's tried the steriod route also, no luck. I am thinking about doing Benadryl. My dog even has a runny nose..never seen that with a dog!

By Vicki on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 10:33 am:

Is it only on his tummy area? Have you been using any carpet cleaner/powder or anything? What about anything like fabreeze in his bed or anything? With his tummy looking so red, it makes me thing right away of something he is laying on! One time dd got a rash on her back and it took me a couple of weeks to figure out that I had been using some of that shake on carpet freshener that you vaccum up and she was laying on it during diaper changes. I ran the vaccum over and over and started laying her on a blanket and it cleared right up! What ever it is, I hope you figure it out. Poor thing looks miserable!!

By Mara on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 10:56 am:

I had a dog growing up that had a rash just like this except it was on his back. We tried different meds from the vet. The vet told us that he was allergic to grass! He only got this way in the summer.
Hope you find out the problem!

By Emily7 on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 12:07 pm:

What a cute puppy! Have you tried diaper rash medicine or changing his food?

By Boxzgrl on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 12:49 pm:

Has the vet ever done allergy tests to rule out food allergies or outdoor/indoor allergies?

Skin problems are one of the most common the vets saw when I was working. Some were flea allergies, some were food, heck, even one was allergic to human dander!!! It is very hard to diagnose an allergy this severe (from what your explaining) without blood tests, allergy tests and constant visits to the vet. It IS very expensive but its even more worse sitting at home watching you dog itch and scratch all day.

I would look for a vet who specializes in dermatology. It may cost more up front but its better to pay more to someone who has a higher chance of finding the problem instead of paying a fortune in the long run to a vet who can only hypothesize and guess what may be wrong.

Good Luck and let us know how hes doing!

By Marcia on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 02:17 pm:

It's also in her ears, on her paws, her jaw, etc. I'm sure it's all over, but we can just see it where she's scratched the fur off.
We don't have carpet, so no cleaners on there. Nothing new on the floor, either. She sleeps on our bed, and I don't think anything's changed there, either. We did try a hypoallergenic food for a few months, and it didn't help. She's always eaten lamb and rice. It happened all winter, so grass is out. It's an absolute mystery!!!
I think I have some SSS, so I might try that.
I also have something called Calmoseptine, which is like a paste for human skin irritations. It might help. I gave her benadryl when it first started, but I can't remember it working well.
This is so frustrating!! The poor thing is raw. The pics don't show how red she is, and sometimes she bleeds from chewing.
Thanks for all of the ideas.

By Sue3 on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 02:20 pm:

My friends dog had a rash just like that.It drove my friend and the dog nuts !
The vet did not know,he finally took the dog to the University of Michigan Veterinary school and found out that his dog was allergic to some thing in his food.
He fed him Lamb and rice , and all was well.
Real lamb and rice.
He had to cook it up in large batches then freeze!
YIKES!

By Peggy13 on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 02:37 pm:

Our puppy has been itching practically since we got him (now 5 months old). We don't know what it is either - the vet thinks it might be psychosomatic - luckily, he hasn't itched himself raw yet - plus he is so hairy (Shih Tzu) - we can hardly see his skin. We just hope he outgrows it. Vet & breeder also agree -too young to be allergies. Breeder told us to try flaxseed oil as a diet supplement - have been using for about a week, with no change yet. Good luck with your dog.

By Echo on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 05:09 pm:

I have gone to a different vet on several occassions when one didn't have an answer. It usually ended up helping. Another vet may have more insight into that specific problem. May have dealt with it before.

By Amecmom on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 08:26 pm:

I was looking up diaper rash to find some help for a very bad rash my son had and one of the moms suggested a lanolin based antiseptic called corona. She said you can get it at Petsmart. I ended up using something else on my son, but the corona sounded good. Have you tried that on your dog? Hope you and the vet get this figured out, poor baby.
Ame

By Marcia on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 10:03 pm:

Thanks Ame. I haven't tried it, but will call to see if they carry it here. I'll try anything!

By Emily7 on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 11:39 pm:

They actually use corona on horses. It does wonders for diaper rash!

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 10:29 am:

Has your vet considered mange? There is more than one type of mange.

Also, some dogs have allergies to grass and weeds that naturally grow in the grass.

Poor pup! I hope you find something that works successfully soon!

By Marcia on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 02:11 pm:

He diagnosed mange first. He gave her antiobiotics and steroids. She cleared up a bit, but as soon as the meds stopped, the rash came back. Next he changed her food. Then he said it was hormonal. The only time she's any better is when she's on a high dose of steroids.
It can't be the grass and weeds for this mutt, because most of the year she was walking on snow. LOL
Back to mange - I read that it's highly contagious, but my other dog's been fine. They both sleep in our bed, so I would think it would have passed on to the other one.
I'm LOST!!!

By Amecmom on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:53 pm:

Any luck on finding the Corona? You can find it online if you type in corona +rash If you type in just corona, you'll get way too many other things.
Ame

By Amecmom on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

Have you found the Corona? You can get it online. Just type corona +Rash and it should come up. If you just put in corona, you'll have too much to search through.
Ame