My moms dog has a rash, need a lil help?

She has 2 mixed breed small dogs, one is pretty old and the other is about 2. This rash started on the older one. It's mostly on her back, while the other one has it more on her chest but also her back. The rash looks kinda like rust, it makes them look really dirty but they're not. They scratch at these places alot, sometimes till they bleed. They have even began to lose hair in spots, it doesn't look like mange, I've seen that on dogs before. What could this be, I've looked at so much stuff online and can't find anything that seems to be whats going on with them. I know some people are gonna say VET, but thats a problem, my dad has been laid off and she can't afford to do that, they are also moving so I have her dogs for a few days. I'm worried my dogs may catch what they have. Does anybody know of a site that has pictures of skin disease on dogs? That might help us figure out whats going on.

My moms dog has a rash, need a lil help?
okay with out seeing this this is going to be hard to do, it is possible that they have a mild staff infection or allergy to fleas, check them thouroughly all over to eliminate fleas also keep them away from your dogs so if it is contagious they wont get it, bath them in a good oatmeal shampoo(for dogs) and let it soak for 20 min it will help with itching
Reply:It sounds like flea dermatitis, but it's impossible to be sure without looking at the dogs.





They are obviously uncomfortable - tell your mom I said to take both dogs to the vets.
Reply:my dog developed a horrible rash and began chewing on her tail... turns out she was allergic to fleas.... she is an inside dog, but had spent the night @ a family farm. I had to give her frontline to prevent fleas and a cortisone shot,, which causes increased thirst and urination. Later i had to put her on antibiotics to heal the sore spots. She had several bald spots on her body from chewing. It cost me $300 but was worth it to heal her. Look around for a low cost spay-neuter clinic, call them and ask them if they know any low cost veterinarians who can help you. I tried the no itch sprays from petsmart b4 the vet visit, but it was a waste of money. My dogs just ran from me and chewed their tails anyway. Good luck. Maybe you can find a vet who would do a payment plan. Fleas are going out of season if that is the problem.
Reply:Still might be mange, demodectic or puppy or "red" mange presents as small spots. Usually found on pups but any dog with a compromised immune system can get it as the mange mites are always present on the animals' skin. Stress can also bring on an outbreak.


http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_dem...


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...


Demodectic mange is not usually considered contagious. It does require vet treatment, usually a series of dips or baths, to cure it.


Another possibility would be flea allergy dermatitis.


Do a Google Images search for both...
Reply:They may have hot spots which are what happens when dogs have fleas, then the dog scratches and bites the area which keeps it raw, swollen some and they also loose hair in the area. Definitely check for fleas, if they have them and you can't afford Advantage or Frontline from a vet (some vets will sell just one tube instead of making you buy a whole pack), then buy a dog flea shampoo to kill the fleas. After that the oatmeal bath would be good for the itching. Also, their is a website at www.herbnet.com that has a pet section and gives natural remedies you can use at home to control fleas. If it isn't fleas, I would keep them away from your dogs till you find out what it is just to be safe.
Reply:Sounds like a condition called yeast, that causes the discoloration you describe. How often do these dogs get a really good bath and dried good?? Yes, it itches worse than poison ivy on a person. Very similar to yeast infection that ladies get! It does spread. The main risk is secondary infection from scratching till they bleed. Those spots must be cleaned with mild soap/water, dry and neosporin. There are special shampoos and treatment. I understand the financial problems. I will refer your post to the rescue for input.
Reply:Ok if its on both dogs now, its CONTAGIOUS. You can't diagnose a rash on the internet any better than you could provide a prescription to cure it. Meanwhile your dogs are being exposed to it, racking up a bigger bill in the long run. The dogs need to go to a vet. The dogs are obviously suffering if they are scratching until they bleed! I know what a vet charges and how costly it can be, but quite simply, letting it go is irresponsible. It doesn't sound life threatening, but if because of their age, they die from this your parents could be held criminally negligent. When your dogs catch this now YOU will be taking your dog to the vet and what, your mom and dad still won't take them? I'm really not trying to be rude so I apologize if I sound harsh. You can't see the tone of voice or body language in a typed letter. Taking the dogs to the vet is necessary.
Reply:Okay, "pets4life" referred your question to me, so here's my response.


It can't be demodectic mange, for it's not contagious, and the chances of two dogs not related to one another, coming down with it at the same time, are just about unheard of.


Whatever it is, it's contagious. No one can make a diagnose without seeing the dogs first.


You said your parents have financial problems at the time, what about you?


It could be a fungus, spring and fall are known for having different kind of funguses going around.


For the time being, go to any drug store, and buy a bottle of Betadine, and scrub the dogs really good with it, especially in the areas where they itch the most, but also all over. Rinse them well, and then, apply a fungus cream, over-the-counter, like for Athletes foot, three times a day on the worst spots. If it is a fungus, it'll kill it for sure. If it is not, it'll at least give them some relief, meantime, figure out a way to get them some professional help, as your dog may end up needing it also.