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Recommend medicated shampoo for dog itchy skin, fungal & bacterial?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 6 years and 5 months old | 50 lbs

My bully mix has an itchy skin issue and I was hoping you could recommend a medicated shampoo. We have seen several vets and they have each recommended a different shampoo so I'm not sure what would be best. I would like something antifungal and antibacterial (Chlorhexidine?). I've been told Zymox, Duoxo, Henry Schein, and several others. What ingredients should I look for? I'm currently using Pharmaseb. Unfortunately I don't have any more money for vets now so this is my first line treatment.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 16th, 2017

All of the brands you listed are good shampoos. Duoxo is one of my go to shampoos but many are equivalent. A chlorhexadine/ketoconazole shampoo helps treat yeast and bacteria. The main thing is to lather Sibyl up and allow the lather to soak for 20 minutes or so before rinsing. If needed you can bathe every 2-3 days.

I also recommend an oral omega 3 supplement such as Derm Caps.

Remember if you use topical flea or heart worm prevention the medicated shampoos will strip it out. I recommend oral preventatives for dogs getting medicated baths.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-skin-and-dogs

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pruritus-itching-and-scratching-in-dogs

I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
A combination product effective against yeast bacteria such as duoxo with chlorhexidine and miconazole may help but in the majority of dogs with recurrent skin issues the condition will not resolve unless underlying triggers such as allergy can be identified and managed
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 16th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would recommend using the below products as I have found they work the best with these cases. If after using these there is no improvement, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her in case oral antibiotics / antifungals are needed. I hope these help! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!

1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved

2. Douxo PS mousse and apply once daily until resolved

3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules for dogs

4. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My favorite brand is Duoxo. It comes in a shampoo that has chlorhexidine and climbazole that treats bacterial and fungal problems. However, if you are unable to find this or something similar at a pet store then any drug store is likely to have a chlorhexidine OR salicylic acid shampoo in their human shampoo section. I hope this helps! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

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What shampoos & topical treatments help dog severe itching & hot spots?

Hello. If his skin is damaged, then you want to use an antibacterial shampoo until the lesions heal. Anything with Benzoyl Peroxide or Chlorhexidine will work well. You will need to probably bathe him every few days, so alternate with a shampoo that has anti-itch properties such as Pramoxine or 1% hydrocortisone. The key to using any medicated shampoo is to make sure you leave the lather on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Finally, you should use a skin barrier preparation that contains ceramides. Allerderm Spot-on by Virbac & Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot-on are 2 highly rated products. Ueing these products along with diet & appropriate medications should make Mumble much more comfortable. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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My 3-month-old puppy has itchy skin. Why isn't medicated shampoo working?

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