My 6-year-old Labrador has a skin disease. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to know without knowing more about the case and examining him. However, if these infections are recurrent, I would have to assume that this could be due to allergies. An examination and gathering more information would help tremendously. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is difficult to say what this could be without pictures and knowing the location of this problem. From your description, I would guess that this is a skin infection or skin allergy. I would recommend starting the following: 1. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules 2. Duoxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 3. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to affected area twice daily until resolved. If there is no improvement, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Leila in order to figure out what exactly is going on. Leila may also need a course of an oral antibiotic as part of treatment as well. I hope this helps and the skin improves! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be happy to help you further.

Hi there! There are many different skin related diseases that can cause the signs that you describe. The most common diseases include infectious skin diseases (i.e. bacterial pyoderma, dermatophytosis), or ectoparasites (i.e. Demodex, fleas, lice). From the picture you provided Ecru looks as though he may be suffering from Demodex, more commonly known as mange. To be certain of what exactly is going on with Ecru I recommend that he be seen by a veterinarian to evaluate samples of the affected areas of Ecru's skin under a microscope and get him on the appropriate medications and/or shampoos. It depends on what exactly is going on to know how long treatment will be, but I would estimate anywhere between 1 - 3 weeks of treatment. I hope this was helpful and Ecru gets better soon.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the picture, I suspect this is a small wound from a bug bite or a skin infection. It looks as though there was a pustule there previously that potentially ruptured. I would monitor this for now and if it worsens or does not resolve, I would recommend having Cooper examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the pictures and your description, I would suspect that this could be due to a superficial bacterial skin infection. I would recommend using a shampoo such as Duoxo PS + chlorhexidine combination shampoo, fish oil such as Welactin and essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent. If there is no improvement with the skin / hair coat worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Ruby so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

This looks like a skin infection. It can either be bacterial or fungal. Your veterinarian can evaluate Max's skin and provide medication to properly treat him. This treatment may be oral medication but also topical shampoos. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tayson! There are many causes for hair loss. With out seeing a picture or examining Tayson I can't be sure of the cause specifically for him. Possible causes are: normal shedding (shouldn't have bare spots of skin), fleas, bacterial or yeast skin infection, demodex mites, scabies mites and ring worm. If Tayson has bare patches on his coat he should see a Vet for a diagnosis. I wish you both the best!