Recurring red itchy rash all over my puppy!!
 

I have a 5 month old yorkie I got through a breeder. From day one she has had health issues from cough that lasted a month in which she was under antibiotics. Then soon after that she started having a rash that hasn't completely disappeared and she's had 2 other antibiotics prescribed to her. Her recent episode is still the ongoing red and itchy rash now all over her body.

Doctor had suggested giving her more antibiotics, but I decided against it as I felt there was something really unhealthy w/ keeping her medicated this way for nearly 3 months. Her rash started behind her hind legs and stomach area which had minized and disppeared. But rash had also spread around her armpit and neck and even cheek area after her stomach rash disappeared. And today I notice that the rash returned on her stomach area. And appears to now also get them around her chest area leading up to her neck. She doesn't itch continually like crazy like I've read in some posts, but she does itch occassionally on those rash areas.

She has been tested for mites (twice), mange and ringworm and came out negative. I really don't know what else to do as I feel like the vet isn't really helping, just taking a stab at more antibiotics. As far as her disposition, she is consistently hyper and energetic and playful and eats fine. The only thing giving me any comfort these days. I'm painfully concerned about her and feel helpless in the matter. I would like to know if anyone has heard of this or can shed me some light.

Thanks

rash
 

Does she scratch? How do her ears look inside..are they red also? Does she go in the grass?

Has the vet perscribed prednisone for the rash. It definitely sounds like an alergic reaction to something. You could try putting hydrocortisone on it to see if it helps.

She does scratch, from her hind legs, to her belly, to her from legs, then neck. Pretty much where she has the rash. Her ears inside are fine. She did have some ear infection that cleared up in a week about 1 1/2 months ago. Vet checked her ear 2 weeks ago and said they looked fine. She does go in the grass, but doesn't roll around. She doesn't care too much for grass, really.

JeaniK, no the vet hasn't prescribed those. In fact he said if Belle doesn't get cleared up after a week that he'll suggest going to specialist. I'm currently using Gentocin antibiotic spray and Glenhaven y/s medicated shampoo. I'll try hydrocortisone.

I'm sorry about the problems you're having with your little one.

By any chance do you use fabric softener sheets or liquid fabric softener in your laundry? If you are, try not using it for a while to see if it makes a difference.
I had a dog that was very sensitive to fabric softeners of any kind, so I had to not use them on my bedding and places where she slept as she would get itchy.

I do hope you find the answer to the rash soon as it must be itchy for her....and frustrating for you!

She can be allergic to something. Maybe you should get a second opinion. I hope you find out what is causing the itchy rash soon and she start feeling better soon. Please keep us posted.

I do use fabric softener. I'll stop using it for a while and see if that helps out. Thanks

I've also heard of alergies to carpet freshners. Have you used any of those. Like Febreez?

I have used some carpet cleaning powder with baking soda when i vacuum.

I have seen lots of puppies with itchy rash that looks like pimples and it turned out to be puppy staph. But I am sure your vet has ruled that out. My Chihuahua used to get rashes and had to be on a twice a year allergy shot. Her rash looked like she had gotten in a bed of fire ants or something...it was so bad!

Stewie had this. Get her scratch tested for mange. I know you said she got tested, but I am speaking from experience - Stewie had sarcoptic mange and it didn't come up in the first two tests. I would get her back on antibiotics. You don't want her to get infected. Make sure you finish every last drop (or pill) of antibiotic that was prescribed even if she clears up. If you don't finish the antibiotics, it could flare up again even worse. (again speaking from experience). Also, I would check out a new vet if your vet isn't really helpful

That darn puppy rash
 

Both my pups had a similar rash until they were about 6 months old.
Used gentamycin eye drops and hydrocortisone spray. Both got a small amount of fleas. I used frontline spray, which is safer in a multi-pet household. The spray kills and repels fleas, but also aids in the itchy "flea dermatitis".

Carefully check your pup. The areas you mentioned are notorius for flea bites.
Check bedding, blankets, etc. Check between hairs with a flea comb. You may have to use a flashlite or magnifying glass.

Good luck to you and your pup.

Benadryl will help if it is an allergic reaction to something.

Thanks you guys for all the responses. I felt quite in the dark dealing with this issue by myself, other than with my vet. She's do for a follow up in about a week so I'll get her checked again for mange. She's also thinning out pretty noticeably from her mid back to her rear. But her upper side to her head looks normal. Not sure what this means as well and vet hasn't been able to tell me anything helpful. She's also curently on advantix. Can anyone suggest a good product for yorkie dry skin?

Chachi had red bumps that expanded all over his body like you describe. First the vet thought it was an allergic reaction to fleas. He found one dying flea on him when he examined him. When we treated him and it was getting worse not better they did a skin test and found he had mites which is mange. He had to be dipped 6 times every ten days but it has cleared up. He had it all over his back and on his neck and lost all his hair in that area. I think it is mange and like Stewiesmom said it just not showing up. What you described is exactly what Chachi went through. Good luck I hope you get some answers

Poor Baby............
 

Good advice! Just might be the meds she is on??? Please keep in touch and let us know how she is doing. I sure hope she's better soon. Good Luck.....

Poor baby. I hope you can find out whats causing the rash.

Sabrina had itchy rash at that age. I did the elimination diet - rice for a couple of days, then rice and hamburger, then rice and chicken and it was the CHICKEN. My vet says he's amazed at how may Yorkies are allergic to chicken.

Weird, but she can eat turkey. Oh, well. I can sure tell when someone slips her a chicken snack though - she's breaking out again. And of course she loves, craves, begs for it. But, she doesn't get it except by accident.

I was just wondering how your little one was doing? Any changes in her itching?

I hope she's doing better!

Groomer's forum may help
 

Hi!

How is your furbaby doing?

I go on a site called "Groomer to Groomer".

They use human antibacterial liquid soap for these rashes, and it works!

One groomer likes Dial with a scent. The rash was gone when the dog came out of the bath.

I did not mark the thread, but it all makes for some interesting reading.

Check it out. . .

www.groomertogroomer.com

Hi guys. I just wanted to post up a quick note on Belle's progress. I just got home from the breeder's vet. I called my breeder last night as a last resort because Belle was getting worse. Her bumps were reappearing on her belly and the bumps (pastules) were still persistent on her neck, paws, back area, legs...pretty much all over her poor little body. They quickly suggested going to their vet at their expense to get her checked out. They claimed he's the best they've ever had and he was also a skin specialist. He explained that sometimes testing for mange doesn't always have a positive reading so the symptoms will have to be treated. So he gave her a shot to kill the mites and breeder gave me the lyme-sulfur concentrate for her dip. I will be giving her a bath later today. I will be returning next Sat for another shot. He said I should see some improvements w/in this week. Her condition is apparently a mild case of sarcoptic mange. He took a couple of scrapings for culture so by my next visit I will see what he finds or doesn't find.

I will let you guys know results of the next visit. Thanks for checking. Needless to say, I feel pretty grateful for my breeder's response. They were glad to accompany me on such an early outing at 9:30 on a Sunday no less.

It sounds like this vet knows his stuff! Wow, I hope you've finally found the solution to your poor baby's itching! I think it was stewiesmom who mentioned mange earlier? I've never heard of it, myself...guess I should do some reading up on it..it certainly sounds terrible. :(

I hope Belle starts to feel better real soon!!
hugs

I hope that Belle starts feeling better soon with this treatment. I will keep her in my prayers for a fast recovery. Im glad that the breeder help you out. Please keep us posted.

Thank You so much for all these postings!! My poor puppy Tribbles (He will be 1 year old on Valentine's Day!!) Has had this on again off again rash. Looks like pimples under his arms and on his belly that and he never seemed to bother with it. When I got him to the Vet it would be gone, so he said must not be anything but an allergic reaction. But now tonight I was laying here rubbing his belly and I noticed that it is back with avangence!! After reading all that mange stuff I am so scared!! I will be on the phone with the Vet in the morning. Is any part of the mange stuff infectious? I have a 9 year old, and both my husband and I are always petting or rubbing him! He sleeps in our bed! What is scrapes?? Does it hurt him when they do it??

Thank You
And I hope your little one is feeling better!
Tribbles Mom

Chester has very sensitive skin I use all soap which has no dyes or perfumes and the bounce fabric softner with no dyes or perfumes. I use salmon oil on his wet food good for allergies and sometimes I just put him in the tub and rinse him off.