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What's causing my dog's skin rash, itching, sores, and fur loss?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 15 years old | 80 lbs

14 yr old shep pit female . she developed a skin rash itching scratching. sores loss of fur and yellowish crust that turns brown . it`s moving from one area to another. appears to be chiggers. she has no fleas is treated every month with a frontline type medication from neck to tail. she`s scratching and opening sores. using generic ben. to ease itching Palmolive dish detergent water and Epsom baths 2 x`s a week. it`s just not working is there a medication she can have to kill what`s eating her.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 28th, 2017

I don't think that the wounds you are describing are caused by chiggers. Fleas are still a possibility, I have found that products containing Fipronil do not work very well for flea prevention. I would also be concerned about mites, bacterial or fungal skin infection, or even cancer. I think it is time for Icis to see a vet so that she can get a diagnosis and some comfort.

Benadryl will only help with itching if it is caused by an allergic reaction from histamine release, which does not seem the case. Dish detergent baths can be very irritating and drying to the skin, I would recommend a hydrating dog shampoo instead. I rarely use epsom salt baths for skin problems in dogs for similar reasons, it is much better used when there is swelling in the paws.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 8th, 2017
The pictures you provided appear to be signs of chronic inflammation. Some flea preventatives are more effective than others. Flea baths or shampoos are only good to get off the fleas that are on the pet at the time of the bath. They may repel fleas for a couple days, but not very long. Flea medications like Frontline and Advantage, or products containing the active ingredient Fipronil do not seem to work well as controlling fleas.

I recommend Seresto collar or an oral flea preventative prescribed by your vet. I recommend that you take your pups to the vet to evaluate their skin. Often they need antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories while we work to control the fleas.

It can take several months to kill all of the fleas in the environment. Treating all pets (including cats) in the house is only the first step. You often need to treat the house and yard to gain control over a flea infestation.

Here is some more information:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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