Skin Cond. in GSD big time itching and crusty skin?

I noticed my GSD scratching a little more then usual, I knew his Frontline was about due so I applied it figuring that would help him out.





Well, the other night I was petting him and came across an irritated patch of skin in his armpit area. I can't see it very well with all his fur, but it seems like some of the fur has come out (maybe from him itching) and there are a few crusty areas and also some red flecking of the skin.





The package insert of Frontline said it works on mild cases of mange, (tho I'm not sure thats what this is) .





I've been washing the area with soap and water today (I haven't put any antibacterial stuff on it as he likes to play in the pool constantly %26amp; would just wash it off) is there anything else I can do for him till I get him to the vet?

Skin Cond. in GSD big time itching and crusty skin?
There might be something that is causing an allergic reaction. Did you change the food recently, or has he gotten any fleas on him? Those tend to be the most common cause of allergies.





Do not use SOAP! It will further dry out the area, causing more irritation %26amp; dryness. You can purchase anti-itch spray at your local pet store that might help relieve irritation. Put something on the irritated area to help relieve irritation right before bedtime, that way you won't have to worry about the pool washin' it right back off.
Reply:You can give him Benadryl to relieve the itching. It's 1 mlg per lb, pills are 25 mlgs each. A little extra isn't going to hurt the dog, so if he's 60lbs 3 pills is fine.
Reply:Well first off it might be ringworm my cat recently got it from the going outside he has a bald spot and flaky dry skin we got a really bad smelling ointment soap from the vet i got for like 35 dollars you apply it asap and then a again in two weeks it is contagous and it can be spread to humans so don't touch contaminated area although i got it and it is just an ugly spot on your skin it dosn't itch ,i got this anti-fungal cream at the drug store and it is already helping.go t the vet avoid contact W/ area and you'll be fine
Reply:First, please stop with soap, that will just irritate the area. Until you can get him to the vet, which you should do, try vaseline on the crust part. it will soften it, after a couple of days, you may be able to lightly comb the crust off. This will also help with the itching once he crust softens. You must get him to a vet however, they will have a cream to put on it. Vaseline won't hurt him if he trys to lick it off, but is only a temporary fix. And a fyi, never use soap on dogs with fur....dries their skin out horribly, and try to keep him out of the water until you get him to the vet.
Reply:Is the dog in a kiddie pool filled w/water, or a larger pool requiring chlorine %26amp; other chemicals? If the later, perhaps that is your problem. Also, if the itching just occurred recently, he may have fleas or a flea allergy which can kick up with only one flea bite. An antihistimine like children's benedryl might help, but the vet really needs to prescribe the dosage but its probably only 1/2 tsp or something, but again the vet should know %26amp; you should be alert to any side effects. Also, prednisone is a steroid %26amp; can also be helpful in treating allergies. Also, I read about omega fatty acids %26amp; biotin for itchy skin - don't know dosages but you might check the info Drs. Foster %26amp; Smith online - they sell those products.
Reply:it might of become a hot spot. i think my dog has this too. it could have caused anything from a scratch, boredom (just started to itch itself for no reason), or allergies.


hot spots are SO annoying. i have to cut the fur off my dog and dry it to put the medication on. Oy.


how about changing the diet to raw meat? grains, which are the main ingredient in MOST dog foods are in fact, the most common allergy dogs have. I think my dog has allergies, but i'm not sure. plus, raw meat is much beneficial for dogs even though you might thing its "bad" for them. I feed it to my bichon and seems to take it well.


here's some websites about why you should switch and why you should start raw feeding. its very informational and true. aren't you scared what your dog is eating after all that pet food recalls??





http://www.iamskills.com


http://www.rawfed.com


http://www.rawfeddogs.net/


http://www.caberfeidh.com/Safe.htm


http://www.caberfeidh.com/Truth.htm


there is also a yahoo groups for raw feeding in which i am in. :)

orchid