Why does my dog have a painful rash on his inner thigh?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect these sores are from the skin rubbing against abdominal wall when Tucker is walking. It does happen to some dogs, particularly during warm months. Please, get a baby diaper rash cream or ointment and use it twice a day for 6-7 days. Make sure that you get a fragrance free one without vitamins or supplements (most of baby rash products are like that). If that doesn't help you will have to take Tucker to your vet to get a cream with an anti-inflammatory agent.

Lesions like this are commonly bacterial and less commonly ringworm (which humans can get). Sometimes they are a problem by themselves but if they occur frequently or seem like they never go away fully, it can indicate and environmental or food allergy. Of the two allergies, environmental is the more common. You can wash those lesions every day. Once it is dry you can apply the salve as long as it is safe for pets, or coconut oil. Only a small amount is needed and you should rub it in well. Make sure Lambeau does not lick it as this could make it worse and ingesting those products may upset his stomach. If he doesn’t get better within a week, I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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!

I am sorry to hear about your dog. This medication appears to have hydrocorisone as an active ingredient. This will help decrease inflammation of the skin, but often in these cases if this is an ongoing rash there is a secondary bacterial or yeast infection in the area. You could try the dermaid but often with cremes a dog will lick it off and then it doesn't have enough contact time with the skin, so I would consider putting an e-collar on her if she is licking at the area. You could also try a medicated shampoo such as Duoxo chlorhexidine shampoo. If this isn't improving then a trip to the vet is recommended.

Most likely it is an allergy but it could also be a heat rash or a bacterial or fungal infection. I suggest you use this topical mousse on the affected areas to see if that helps. If not, she should be examined by your vet. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6679-douxo-calm-mousse-for-dogs-and-cats-68-oz.aspx )

Ouch, poor Ham! You are correct it could be a contact allergy, but he could also have a bacterial or yeast skin infection or this could be due to insects (fleas, mites). Without seeing him in person, I can't say if it's more than an allergic reaction, so I do recommend holding off on putting this cream and have him seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing this rash so that he can be treated. In the meantime, you can try giving him an Epsom salt or oatmeal bath which may temporarily help with his itchiness.

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.