My dog's leg rash isn't improving with meds. What else can I do?

Hello! My name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. Thank you for sending the photo. It is helpful. That skin lesion could have a few causes: The most common reasons are •Allergies (environmental or food) •Bacterial infection •Fungal infections There are a few questions to ask yourself: Has there been any new treats or food within the last 2 weeks? If so, stop giving the new item. It could be related to the itching. Does your pet have a history of itchy skin or ear infections? If so, it could indicate an underlying condition like allergies or thyroid disease. Are other pets in the household itching? If so, it could indicate a communal cause. Here are some things you can do at home with may help. 1. Stop any licking (since this can make it worse) - Leo should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. - Remember that the collar must come out past his nose in order to be effective. 2. Next, wash the area once a day with either plain hand soap (like Dial) or a medicated pet shampoo. Rinse the area well and gently towel dry. -This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. 3. Lastly, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day to the red areas. Make sure the skin is dry before application. -Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Neosporin is fine to use. Here are some tips that can improve over-all skin health and decrease itchiness: 1) Add in an omega fatty acid supplement. - Your veterinarian will carry some nice products - You can also find a good product called Welactin online. 2) Change his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. *It will take 4-6 weeks for any diet or supplements to take full effect 3) Wash your pup in a pet oatmeal shampoo and conditioner once a week for general health. 4) If environmental allergies are suspected, a daily antihistamine can also help. Have your pup examined if- •Leo is severely itching/licking •If any itching/licking gets worse •If in 2 weeks the lesion is not completely healed Sometimes no over the counter options will work and they need a stronger medication from the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to check in any time!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

It does look like a skin infection but the origin (bacterial, fungal, yeast) I don't know just by looking at it. If it is bacterial, sometimes oral antibiotics are needed if topical therapy is not working. I don't know what cream you are using as I am not aware of a chlorhexidine cream, or how long you have been using it, so it's hard for me to comment much more on what you are already doing. I personally like these chlorhexidine wipes because they also contain an anti-fungal/anti-yeast component (climabazole) and a component to help repair the skin (phytosphingosine) so it is gentle. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-5393-douxo-chlorhexidine-3-ps-pads-for-dogs-and-cats-30.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo+Auto ) If she is licking this area, it will never get better. So, if she is licking, you will need to get an E-collar (cone) for her to wear until this is healed. So, if you want to try the medicated pads, I would do that. If there is still not resolution after a few weeks then she should go back to the vet. Skin maladies typically take quite a long time to respond completely to treatment so as long as it's not bothering her too much just continue on for a few more weeks. Treat the affected areas for at least a few days past all resolution of the lesions. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Judging from the pictures you have provided I suspect what you are seeing is due to a skin infection, either bacterial or fungal. I would recommend that a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you are unable to get to your vet right away I would recommend starting the below products which can be found online quite easily or at your local pet store. I hope this helps and that Ed's skin improves. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Douxo PS chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until the infection is resolved. 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area until resolved 3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules 4. Essential 6 spot on by dermoscent

Unfortunately, we are legally prohibited from recommending such a medication in the absence of a physical exam and a VPCR (Veterinarian-Patient-Client relationship). If current therapy has not helped, consider a recheck with your veterinarian. A biopsy of the area or consult with a veterinary dermatologist may be recommended.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! The black hairless area is a normal elbow callus. The pink area could be a growth or irritation or a skin infection. I would prevent the licking by using an E-collar. Then I would apply a triple antibiotic cream. Force him to lay on soft bedding to prevent further trauma and you can try an antihistamine. If there is no improvement the area should be looked at by a Vet as he may need oral antibiotics and a steroid or apoquel. Those are prescription drugs that can only be prescribed by a Vet that exams your dog. Good luck! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/zyrtec/

If those things have not worked to ease the rash then Krunk may need stronger medications (i.e. steroids or immunomodulator drugs like Apoquel- highly recommended) from your vet. Food allergies typically develop over time and occur with pets that have been fed the same food for their entire life. Here is a website article that discusses food allergies and also canine allergic dermatitis in general and what is typically needed to work-up and treat pets with this condition. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1535 Also Benadryl is only effective if the pets allergies are mild and only helps reduce itching in less than 50% of pets.