Why is my Westie still scabby with hair loss despite steroids?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to an underlying allergy predisposing him to fungal infections. 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!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Henry. This could be something such as superficial bacterial folliculitis, which causes scabs and bumps. This typically occurs due to underlying problems such as allergies, which he must have if he was on Apoquel. It seems like his allergies may not be controlled if he's getting this issue, so I would take him back into the vet. I'm not sure if Apoquel worked for him, but if it did, it might be advisable to put him back on it. Another drug option for allergies is Cytopoint, which you can ask your vet about. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Jake! Here are my recommendations: Jake should be on a good oral flea/tick medication year round in case flea allergic (Nexgard, Bravecto or Simparcia, I would have a skin scrape performed to rule out scabies, I would have him tested for ring worm, if he is older I would have full blood work done and consider having an area biopsied. If all that comes back negative then he likely has allergies. I would then put him on a prescription hydrolyzed diet (Royal canin HP or Purina HA or Hill's z.d). Consider having him allergy tested with a Veterinary dermatologist. If he is positive for environmental allergens then allergy serum can be started. Also I would get him off steroids and try apoquel or cytopoint. A lot of allergy dogs need multiple medications and a diet for life. I also like all my allergy patients on a good Omega 3 fish oil. I like http://vrshealth.com/canine-products/omegadog/. Your Vet also should be sure he is free of all bacterial and yeast infections. I hope this helps and I wish Jake the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this is associated with itchiness, this may be due to skin allergies. There are medications such as Apoquel and prednisone which may help to decrease the itch. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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!

Has your vet mentioned anything about environmental allergies? It may be that Rusty is allergic and this is leading to his current issues. While I understand he's 10 and this hasn't been an issue in the past it doesn't sound like, it is still possible that its contributing. If your vet thinks allergies may be playing a role, he or she may recommend trying some prednisone which is a steroid, or a medication called apoquel. You can try using a shampoo designed for itchy skin, that may help as well if you do it once a week or so. This is one of my favorite ones: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zymox-shampoo-with-vitamin-d3 I hope that is helpful to you, thank you for asking PetCoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think continuing the use of a medicated shampoo would be good as he likely has secondary infections. I think this could be due to allergies and it would be crucial to identify the allergic component to try to see if he can improve. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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!

Oh wow, poor Whisky Girl! It sounds like the steroids aren't working, and her skin is just terrible. I would take her into the vet for an exam. She may benefit from medication shampoos for her skin, and a different medication for her allergies, such as Apoquel. The vet can discuss if Apoquel is appropriate or not for her, and can discuss other treatments for her skin.