My dog is itching, chewing legs, red bumps. What can I do for relief?

Hello, and thank you for your question. The photos look like raised bumps, making me think about insect bites. Other possibilities include bacterial infection or fungal infection. I would try gently bathing the area with a gentle aloe and oatmeal based shampoo. Alternatively you could try applying a bit of pure aloe vera gel to the spots to help relieve discomfort. If they are insect bites, they may improve with time. If the skin does not improve within the next 24 hours, I would suggest taking Simba to the vet. They can perform tests such as a skin scraping, skin cytology or fungal culture to help determine the cause of the lesions. At minimum, they can provide medications to reduce itching, and antibiotics if an infection is suspected. If Simba is licking or scratching the area, I would also put an e-collar (cone) on his head, and a t-shirt in his body, to prevent him from licking and scratching and causing further trauma to his skin. I hope this helps, and that Simba feels better soon!

I'm sorry to hear that Tigre has been so itchy! The bumps and scabs that you describe sound most suspicious for a skin infection. These skin issues typically occur as a result of underlying allergies (to fleas, food or the environment), ringworm, or mange. When dogs itch as a result of these changes, they can cause a bacterial skin infection by damaging their own skin, which is also itchy, and only makes matters worse. Make sure that Tigre is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II. You can also try bathing him with an antimicrobial/anti-itch shampoo (here is one example: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27981 ). When you are not directly watching him, it may be worth using an e-collar (cone) for the next week or so to prevent further skin damage. However, if the skin lesions persist or worsen, Tigre will need to go to his vet for further evaluation. He may need oral antibiotics or anti-itch medication. I hope this helps and that he's feeling better soon!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Melon. Her skin looks very irritated. Based on your description, she could be experiencing environmental allergies. They are very common this time of year and tend to show up on the paws and underside of the dog. As humans, we inhale most allergens, but dogs are out walking through the grass. So they have signs related to their skin. Make sure you are using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner such as an oatmeal or fatty acid based formula. This will soothe the skin. Then she will need to see a veterinarian. You want to ensure that she does not have a different condition such as mites or ringworm as the treatment is different. However, these conditions do not tend to itch as much. As far as treatment, she will likely need an antibiotic to heal the skin and a medication to control the itching. Steroids work great, but have a lot of side effects. There are two newer allergy medications. Apoquel is a tablet given daily and Cytopoint is an injection that can control itching for 4-8 weeks. So these are some options to discuss with the veterinarian if it is determined Melon has allergies. I hope this information helps!

This redness indicates inflammation and is usually itchy. This is often due to one of two conditions. 1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/ 2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's good to check her for fleas and get treatment if needed. This pattern is more suspicious of mange, which is a mite infestation. A veterinarian can check for these mites and prescribe treatment. One thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. Below is a link with more helpful advice for relieving the itch. https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ I hope this helps you to identify the problem. If not, then it would be worth taking her to the vet. We can usually discover the cause quickly and provide the best treatment.

Poor girl. This looks like classic allergic dermatitis which is likely due to an adverse reaction to something in her environment. She now has an odor due to a secondary bacterial or yeast infection. She will need to see your vet to have the skin tested to determine the kind of infection, then started on medication to clear this up. She will also need allergy medication to help calm down the itchiness and redness. Two viable options for most dogs with skin allergies are either oral Apoqeul or injectable Cytopoint. There is also allergy testing available through your vet, if you are interested in getting allergy shots formulated for Maggie. Here is more information on skin allergies in pets--> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951973 Until you can get Maggie in to be seen by your vet, you can try an over the counter pet formulated spray to help alleviate the itching. A "hot spot" spray or one that contains hydrocortisone would be most suitable for this. I hope that Maggie's skin improves soon! Best of luck and take care. : )

Typically, itchy red skin with hair loss is caused by either fleas, mites (mange), ringworm ( actually a fungus) or allergies. For me, the most common one of these is allergies. Dogs can have allergies to ingredients in their food or to things in the environment. They need to be seen by a vet who can rule out the other causes I mentioned, and then take the appropriate course of treatment. Some dogs will improve greatly on a hypoallergenic diet, others need immunosuppressive drugs. Often these guys have secondary bacterial infections that require antibiotics. I'd recommend an appointment With Lylas vet ASAP to get this sorted out, and get her some medications to help her feel better.

Chronic skin problems could be several things including allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Simparica. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having Simba wear an elizabethan collar at all times to prevent licking if needed. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.