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Dog's strange rash won't go away. Could it be fungal or petechiae?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 2 years and 4 months old | 75 lbs

Hi, My dog has been struggling with this strange rash for months. My vet doesn't know its cause, and hasn't offered much advice on how to treat besides changing her food (didn't work). I've tried different antibiotic creams, and allergy meds, but nothing seems to work. I'm wondering if it made be a fungal infection? After googling to find similar rashes I've scared myself silly thinking it might also be petechiae. Please let me know your thoughts

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on February 23rd, 2020

Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics).
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 24th, 2018

    You can try giving Poncho an oatmeal bath or an Epsom salt bath to see if that helps soothe his skin, but the best thing to do is take him into the vet in the morning. Typically rashes require medication to treat, and the vet can prescribe the correct medication to treat his rash. Best of luck.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 16th, 2017

    I can't diagnose the exact cause of this rash but a bacterial infection, fungal disease, severe contact allergy and even cancer is possible. Turbo needs to get evaluated by his veterinarian as this could become much worse, especially if it is infected, and most over the counter products are ineffective once a rash becomes this large.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on July 19th, 2019

    I would recommend taking Legend back to the vet for re-evaluation since their treatment did not resolve the issue. This could be an autoimmune disease, deep bacterial or fungal infection, mites, endocrine disease, etc. The vet may recommend a biopsy or other testing to diagnose the issue so they can start the best treatment possible.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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