Why is my Chihuahua itching, rashy, rubbing butt, and acting strange?

It sounds like there are few things that could be going on with Belle. She could be in pain with the yelping. The hair loss and chewing could be due to fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, I can give you one for her. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching (chewing is a sign of itchiness) is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I hope this helps!

You can apply a cold compress to the affected areas if she will let you. Hold it there for 5 minutes. You can do this 3-5 times per day. This will help alleviate some of the itch and discomfort. Unfortunately there are no over the counter medications we can recommend for a dog this small. Please try to get her to your vet tomorrow if at all possible.

There are several things that could cause the symptoms you are describing including parasites, skin infections or irritation, dry skin, allergies to food or environment, or even something that is causing pain if he growls or winces at being touched. I would recommend bringing Chico into your vet for an exam, especially if the problem persists, worsens, or you can't find an obvious cause for it. In the meantime, a soothing shampoo with aloe or oatmeal can help with dry skin and irritation, and placing a T-shirt or Elizabethan (cone) collar on Chico can prevent him from licking or scratching at it which may worsen irritation. If you see any visible wounds or discharge, keeping the area clean and dry until a vet can examine it may also help.

It is possible she has an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast or both on her skin. She may need special medicated shampoo such as Ketochlor or Malaseb or in some cases oral medication. I would bring her in to the vet to look at the area and they can test to see if bacteria or yeast or present and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Poor Cheepie does sound very uncomfortable! This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, he will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. Even if he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam tomorrow. He may have a skin infection from all the scratching, and he will need medications to treat that. If he is up to date on his flea treatments, the vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

This could be an infected or impacted anal sac. I suggest you take Chile to your veterinarian for an exam and evacuation of the anal sacs if indicated. Anal sac problems are very painful so please take Chile to your vet before the weekend.

I don't think that the wounds you are describing are caused by chiggers. Fleas are still a possibility, I have found that products containing Fipronil do not work very well for flea prevention. I would also be concerned about mites, bacterial or fungal skin infection, or even cancer. I think it is time for Icis to see a vet so that she can get a diagnosis and some comfort. Benadryl will only help with itching if it is caused by an allergic reaction from histamine release, which does not seem the case. Dish detergent baths can be very irritating and drying to the skin, I would recommend a hydrating dog shampoo instead. I rarely use epsom salt baths for skin problems in dogs for similar reasons, it is much better used when there is swelling in the paws.