Why are my dog's armpits itchy, scaly, and sore from scratching?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on

  He could have a bacterial infection or a yeast infection, possibly caused by allergies. You can shampoo him with a medicated dog shampoo and see if that helps but he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and needed treatment. Once diagnosed, your vet can prescribe medications to help treat. He may need an antibiotic, corticosteroid, or an antifungal. You could also add Free Form Snip Tips to his diet to help keep his coat and skin healthy.

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on September 15th, 2017

  Ok. The first thing you need to do is stop him from licking!! You can go to any large pet store and purchase an Elizabethan collar (aka: E-collar, cone). Take him with you when you buy it as it needs to be properly fitted. The cone portion must be long enough to go past the end of his nose or he will still be able to lick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x64MQlDPeo It will never get better if he doesn't stop licking it. Second step is to use a topical medicated shampoo and spray like the ones I linked to below to see if you can get the rash to clear up. If the rash does not start to look better within 5-7 days then you will need to get him to your vet for an exam. First bathe with the shampoo. Follow the instructions to a "T" on the label. After he is dry you can use the spray as a leave-on treatment. Spray 2x a day. Bathe him every 3-4 days during the treatment period but use the spray every day. https://www.chewy.com/douxo-chlorhexidine-ps-shampoo-dogs/dp/110818 https://www.chewy.com/douxo-chlorhexidine-micro-emulsion/dp/111700 Hope this helps. Best wishes.

  

  4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 1st, 2018

  Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I would worry that he has an allergy to something, either in the environment, his food or via contact. You can try benadryl to see if it helps but if it doesn't I would have him seen by your Vet for an exam. There are lymph nodes in the arm pit area. Personally I don't like how swollen and circumscribed it is and would ideally want to feel the areas. https://www.petcoach.co/pet-medication/benadryl/ Good luck!

  

  6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

  Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

  Published on April 23rd, 2018

  Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. Another possibility is that he developed an allergic reaction to the shampoo product that was used. If that is the case, this should improve. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful