My dog has scabs on his chest and legs. What could be the cause?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 24th, 2017

  This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites.
  
  First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Dagwood with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. bravecto or advantage), then get him to 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 discovering the cause of the allergy.
  
  Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start him on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months.
  Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting him on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).
  

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 12th, 2018

  This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites.
  
  First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Milk with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. advocate or advantage), then get her to 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 discovering the cause of the allergy.
  
  Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start her on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months.
  Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting her on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).

  

  2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 7th, 2019

  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!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful