My German Shepherd has a groin rash. Benadryl didn't work. What now?

Benedryl should work within 24 hours but remember that every pet is different and while some may do really well on benedryl, some will not. Give it a few days and if it doesn't seem to be helping, call the vet and ask about the next medication to try. GSD are pretty sensitive as a breed. I'm not sure what Crow is currently eating but I feed most of my GSD Royal Canin German Shepherd and most of them do very well on this diet. I hope this helps.

Minor rashes like this on Chloe are often due to allergies, which is why it responds to benedryl. You can continue to give the antihistamine which will help. Wiping her down with a wet wash cloth when she comes in from the outside will also help to remove allergens from the outside. Giving her a fatty acid supplement can also help to keep Chloe's skin healthier. Please post again if you have any further questions!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use chlorhexidine containing shampoo to bathe her twice weekly for 2 weeks. You may find these online or at your local pet store. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

The spots where the rashes are definitely fit with seasonal environmental allergies. They may not have been there before, but would not be due to the Benadryl. It's more likely that it's a progression of the allergies and a sign that the Benadryl is not working well. Dogs tend to not be helped by certain antihistamines, but may be helped better by others. Luckily there are a few alternatives that can be bought over the counter. I recommend calling you veterinarian and asking if they could suggest another antihistamine. As long as they have no other concerns with Riley, they should be happy to give you an alternative. If the second antihistamine doesn't work and you still notice the rash/itching, then he will likely need a recheck exam and stronger medication. One thing you can do for the rash and itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. I hope that helps and Riley gets better soon.

Hi and thanks for your post! It is hard to say exactly what the cause of Ben's skin lesions may be due to without examining Ben first, but some possibilities may include a fungal infection, bacterial infection, mites, a food or environmental allergy, or evidence of an underlying endocrine disorder such as Cushing's disease or a thyroid problem. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with a fungal culture, skin scraping, and some blood work. I would recommend Ben visit another veterinarian or perhaps a board certified veterinary dermatologist soon to have the possibilities above ruled out and a definitive diagnosis made so he can get the most appropriate treatment. Best to you and Ben and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

These symptoms do sound likely that Nino has allergies. If it has been going on for weeks and is getting worse, he likely has seasonal/environmental allergies. Unfortunately over the counter allergy meds such as Benadryl don't work all that well, and he really needs something more effective to control his symptoms, which would need to come from a vet. The pimples you are seeing probably indicate a secondary skin infection which will need antibiotics to clear up. So, he will need a vet visit to improve. In the meantime you can keep those areas clean and dry; I recommend bathing him with a mild oatmeal based shampoo and drying him thoroughly. You can also wipe down his feet and muzzle with a damp cloth when he comes in for the night to get as much pollen, grass, and other allergens off him before he goes to bed. Hope this helps.

The next thing to do is go to the veterinarian. If the antihistamines are not working, he may need something stronger. These lesions could also now be infected. Make sure to protect the area from rubbing or scratching and he should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Have him examined soon.