My senior dog has a sore back scab, flaky skin, and weak legs. Why?

While it's possible for food sensitivities to change over time and cause skin issues, since Mariner is a senior pup it may be time for a senior wellness exam. Scabbing on the skin could be due to a number of things including the aforementioned food allergies, environmental allergens, skin infections, parasites and even metabolic changes. A complete examination of his coat plus some general bloodwork may alert you to the cause of his scabbing. In the meantime, an Elizabethan (cone) collar, if it doesn't interfere with his service work, or a T-shirt to protect the affected area, may help prevent him from scratching or chewing and give the area some time to heal. It will also keep Mariner from introducing more bacteria into the site which can lead to an infection.

Poor Poppy! Dogs can develop skin conditions at any age. In older dogs things such as endocrine diseases and food allergies are more common. If you notice the lesions are getting worse, then I would recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian. The doctor will take a look at him and get a thorough history and may recommend some blood tests if an underlying cause is suspected. The doctor will also recommend treatment for the lesions. At home, washing the lesions in an antibacterial hand soap and rinsing them well once a day can help to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. You can apply a dab of coconut oil and rub it in well once the skin is dry. You need to make sure however that he does not lick the coconut oil. This may help but if there is an underlying cause, the lesions will simply come back. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From the pictures that you provided my primary suspicions would be a skin infection. There are some things that you can do at home if you are unable to get to a vet right away. I would suggest starting with a shampoo that is medicated such as Duoxo chlorhexidine PS combination and bathe him twice weekly until the infection is resolved. I would also suggest starting welactin omega-3 fish oil and essential 6 Spot On by dermoscent. If there is no improvement then I would see your vet for further testing and treatments. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am also available via phone or text base consultation if needed

Although a picture of the lesions would help to determine the underlying cause, this is probably due to an allergy, but it could also be due to an infection or mites. Old age itself is unlikely to cause anything like you described. 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.

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Without seeing Lucy it is hard to say for sure. Gnawing at one area could be a sign of an allergy, like a flea allergy or pain. Even if you aren't seeing live fleas it doesn't mean they aren't there. And for dogs that are allergic, they tend to lick and scratch over the tail base. If there is a painful joint or area, dogs will lick a lot. At 13 it is very likely to have arthritis pain, this would also explain the buckling in her back. I recommend taking Lucy to the vet for a thorough physical exam and blood work to start anti-inflammatories. Please do not give any medications over the counter until you talk to your vet. In the meantime, you can wash the area with a mild soap (like Dial) and water to relieve some of the inflammation. Good luck and kisses to Lucy!

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! Without pictures it is difficult to say what the scabs are. I would suspect either trauma, insect bites or sores from a skin reaction. I would monitor these for now, especially if they do not seem to be bothering Zuni. Monitor for changes in size, appearance and how many there are. If you notice they are not resolving or are worsening I would have Zuni examined by a veterinarian so that further diagnostics and treatment can be performed. I would recommend a wound cream such as Zymox topical ointment (can be found online) and apply as directed on the tube of ointment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions. I am also available via consultation if needed.

This presentation is probably 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.