Help! My dogs skin is red raw from scratching constantly!

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

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Hi guys, as some of you know Roxy has allergies. Now a few months ago I was managing it and she wasn't causing damage to her skin.
However, after having her heart scanned around 7 weeks ago she's still got bald patches where they had to shave hair off.
These patches are just below her ribs on her abdomen which isn't irritated, just still pretty much hairless, and the other two are on each armpit. These two are the problem! She's just been scratching them raw lately, the skin is very red, crusty and looks a bit thickened/inflammed. I've tried applying aloe Vera with no luck, I have yet to try a few recommendations from another thread I posted about helping the hair grow.
I was just wondering if there were any more suggestions for any creams, gels, shampoos, homemade soaks, anything to reduce the irritation and give the hair a chance to grow back! The only problem with applying things is she just licks it off (she's greedy and eats anything!)
Here's a picture I took this morning of the worst looking pit.

 

[Caro Perry]

Oh that looks sore. Would she put up with being put in a doggy onesie to give the skin a chance to start to heal?

 

[Kara 1]

I would take her to the vets ...

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Oh I like that idea @Caro Perry! As long as she can't wriggle out of it she should be fine.
I asked my vet nurse friend and since I had some Fucidin cream left from a previous vet visit she said to apply it twice a day for a week and put her buster collar on so that she can't lick at it.
I think I will try that and if it hasn't improved take her to the vets.

 

[excuseme]

It looks as if the rash is spreading further up the inside of her leg.

Just out of interest, what brand of food are you using?

 

[Rhythmpig]

I wish you luck and hope you get to the bottom of it because that looks really sore

 

[Kara 1]

I bought a suitical a dog all in one vest type thing when i took on an elderly terrier to stop her taking her diper off at night they are very good

 

[Kara 1]

Sudocreme is brilliant too ...

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Thank you guys, I'm hoping this works and I won't have to take a trip to the vets, I have been about her skin multiple times and they're never keen to give me anything for her, not even shampoo!
She's on Harringtons hypoallergenic and has been for a while now, her skin has improved believe it or not since she's been on it, maybe it's the protein source that isn't agreeing with her skin, although it's salmon which she has in treats and stuff so who knows! She's nearly finished the salmon flavour now and I've just got a turkey and rice one for after.
Thanks @Kara 1 I will look at the vest thingy and maybe try sudocream after the fucidin is used up!

 

[Shalista]

yeah id try to prevent her from getting to it. when bax had a beginning hot spot they gave him an antibiotic cream with something in it to soothe to just to stop the itching

 

[excuseme]

harringtons hypoallergenic salmon ingredients harringtons hypoallergenic salmon ingredients harringtons hypoallergenic salmon ingredients harringtons hypoallergenic salmon ingredients - Google Search

Harringtons Hypoallergenic diet contains a lot of rice and other grains for fillers too. Rice is a grain too, it may well be worth changing your food to a totally grain free recipe.
Millies Wolfheart seems to get good results. The good quality grain free kibbles can cause tummy upsets, simply because it is so rich in nutrients. So much less is required for feeding. The Millies Wolfheart range, have a good selection of choices and proteins. I would suggest starting with their cheaper choice with a low protein, and graduate up from that slowly if you require a higher protein.

 

[excuseme]

Blast; The link has not worked!
The ingredients start with Rice (which is not good) and follows with 20% salmon meat, then more grains and fillers. Were just going out with the dogs. I will look again for the ingredients when we get back.

 

[Shalista]

not a HUGE sample size on this study but just be thoughtful about the choice to go grain free FDA In Brief: FDA investigates cases of canine heart disease potentially linked to diet

 

[JudyN]

not a HUGE sample size on this study but just be thoughtful about the choice to go grain free FDA In Brief: FDA investigates cases of canine heart disease potentially linked to diet

That's interesting. But note: 'the potential association between reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and certain pet foods the animals consumed, containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds or potatoes as main ingredients'.

I would guess that any problem is caused by manufacturers jumping on the grain-free wagon but replacing the grain with other plant matter instead of meat. Personally I think meat should always be the main ingredient.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Thank you all, I will consider grain free!

 

[Janer]

Hi, just joined so maybe a bit late with this but it may help.... my 10 year old JR had terrible skin that would get red raw from scratching, took him to the vet and they said to give him a pirition tablet a day 2 if he was really bad, till the rash calmed down then try cutting it down to see how he goes, his skin completely cleared up and it was really bad. I also changed to wainwrights grain free food which has really helped as he would also have quite a sore mouth, so now if I see him get a bit pink on his muzzle I give him half a piriton(vet recommended) X

 

[millymojo1]

Thank you all, I will consider grain free!

Have you considered feeding raw? As you’ve probably seen on lots of previous posts for various problems, a balanced,raw diet seems to be the food to solve so many things.
My dog has allergies and my skin vet has given me steroid spray for her toes in the past. It was just one spray a day and within a couple of days the sores were cleared up.
I know I’m a little late replying, so hope your fur baby is on the mend.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Thanks @Janer, I have heard piriton is good. It's clearing up now with applying the cream twice a day and leaving the cone on apart from when she's eating and out walking. But I'm nervous about taking taking the cone off in a few days time because I feel like it's just going to get worse again. So I may need to consider piriton, thank you for the suggestion.
@millymojo1 I don't want to consider raw feeding, because we only have a small freezer/fridge and no room for another to store the food. Plus we have young kids in the house so I'm concerned about the salmonella, e.coli etc. that is a risk with raw meat.

 

[excuseme]

I have fed raw for 35 to 40 years ish.
Raw feeding is an excellent suggestion. The hygiene would be the same as preparing raw meat for yourselves. Your pet will not be covered with disease because you feed it raw meat
"Natures Menu" is produced from human grade products, it is blood and mess free, just as convenient as feeding a kibble, just thaw and feed. There are other producers of raw foods but Natures Menu is a good convenient starting place. It can be purchased from most good pet stores with a freezer. Salmonella will not be a problem if you take normal cleanliness precautions.

There are a lot of itchy dogs who are relieved of constant itching by changing to this method. A great saving with vet bills too!

May I suggest that you do some research into raw feeding our canine friends, and why they should eat this product.
There is a super little book that I find is easy to read and understand, that I always recommend. "Honeys Natural Feeding Handbook for dogs", this can be obtained from the "Honeys website" for FREE, or as little as 1p on Amazon (used but as new).
It helps explain all about our dogs digestive system, why they have teeth for eating meat and not for grinding grain, and why we should avoid our convenient modern day kibbles.

Our pets should not have to take medication or be constantly shampoo'd with various products, when there is quiet likely a simple underlying problem and an easy natural remedy.
Raw may not solve your problem, you must give it time though, it will do no harm to try, and it may solve your dogs itchy problem.

I hope you solve the problem somehow.

 

[Shalista]

Thanks @Janer, I have heard piriton is good. It's clearing up now with applying the cream twice a day and leaving the cone on apart from when she's eating and out walking. But I'm nervous about taking taking the cone off in a few days time because I feel like it's just going to get worse again. So I may need to consider piriton, thank you for the suggestion.
@millymojo1 I don't want to consider raw feeding, because we only have a small freezer/fridge and no room for another to store the food. Plus we have young kids in the house so I'm concerned about the salmonella, e.coli etc. that is a risk with raw meat.

yeah when i fed bax raw he was 13lbs (so prolly similar size) id prep for about 2weeks-1months worth of meals and it took up half the freezer for standard fridge/freezer combo. that space is no joke......