Dog rash, fur loss, itching: What to do when antibiotics fail?

Betty looks generally red, so my biggest suspicion is that she has environmental allergies. However, mange should be ruled-out as a cause as well. The antibiotics are great for treating secondary bacterial infections of the skin, but will do nothing for the primary cause of the itching. She needs to go back to the vet and get the primary cause of the itching diagnosed and treated in order to keep this from getting worse. With appropriate treatment, we can often get this problem under control. For now, it's good to give a bath with just cool water once to twice a day. This will help to relieve the skin and possibly flush away any environmental alergins. I hope that helps and Betty gets better soon.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Favio! I think Favio needs a recheck. Ring worm and mites are possible. Your Vet would have to do a skin scrape to look for mites under the microscope. There are 2 types of mites in dogs 1) demodex (non-contagious mite that normally lives on the skin but can over grow in a puppy with an immature immune system) 2) scabies (contagious mite from other dogs or foxes). Ring worm is diagnoses by using a Wood's lamp and then by doing a fungal culture. At a minimum he may need a longer course of antibiotics and something to relieve the scratching (prednisone with or with out an antihistamine). I hope this helps and I wish Favio a speedy recovery!

This could be due to a fungal infection, resistant bacterial infection, zinc responsive dermatitis, an autoimmune disease, seborrhetic dermatitis or even allergies. Sometimes a shampoo that is meant for doggy dandruff (seborrhea) is helpful as well as omega 3 fatty acids. Depending on the cause an antifungal may be needed as well as sometimes steroids. Some of these possible causes require a biopsy to diagnose, others a fungal culture and others are based on eliminating every other cause. I recommend discussing these potential causes with your veterinarian in order to get Ari's skin better managed.

I'm sorry to hear Abe is having skin issues. I would be concerned by the progression of his skin that he may have something more going on in addition to the bacterial infection, such as allergies, a skin parasites (mites or fleas) or a fungal infection. I would recommend he be re-evaluated to determine if something more is going on and additional treatment is needed. Good luck!

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.

Hello. Antibiotics may help, but probably will not cure Snow. I would recommend weekly medicated baths using a product with benzoyl peroxide &/or weekly dipping with a product containing lime sulfur. This is antibacterial & antifungal & will also kill some parasitic mites. Weekly treatments for a month is often very helpful & may be curative. If you think she needs antibiotics, it is best to see a veterinarian as to what is best & how much to give. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.