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Dog Biting And Scratching

Lydia asks:

MY PUPPY HAS SPOTS LIKE A RASH ALL OVER HIS COAT. HE HAS BEEN BITING AND SCRATCHING. I DO NOT HAVE EXTRA FUNDS SO I WAS TRYING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN GET OVER THE COUNTER OR DO AT HOME TO HELP?

Hello. I am sorry that your puppy is so itchy. Rashes in puppies are quite common. There are many possible causes including: mange (caused by demodex or sarcoptic mites), allergies, ectoparasites (fleas, ticks), ringworm, puppy pyoderma (similar to baby acne), bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections. Unfortunately, the treatment is going to depend on the cause of the rash. Without examining your poor pup, we cannot recommend medical treatment. For instance, if we recommend allergy treatment and your puppy has mites or an infection, he may get much worse. The best advice I can give is to have your puppy examined by a veterinarian to dictate the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, baths in cool water with a gentle soap such as an oatmeal based shampoo may help relieve some of the itchiness.

Dr. Kathleen Spencer

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