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My dog has dry, flaky, raised red skin patches with no itching.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 80 lbs

My long-haired german shepherd dog recently developed dry, flaky patches of skin on his chest and under his belly. It doesn't seem to bother him (no itching). Hair is growing through the scabs. The area where the scabs/ flaky skin are are slightly raised red patches. At first I thought it was a food allergy because he developed them after switching foods. However, he is back on his old food and this issue isn't resolving itself. Please help!

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 4th, 2017

Thank you for your post! Leo looks like he has a bacterial skin infection. His long hair may make him prone to these as moisture gets trapped easily under his hair during warm times of the year. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with your vet to treat this appropriately. Leo may need a course of oral antibiotics along with topical therapy to treat this effectively. If you are unable to get to your vet soon, then I would at least recommend starting him on a shampoo and begin several supplements. The shampoo I find works effectively is Duoxo Chlorhexidine PS shampoo and bathing twice weekly lathering a minimum of 8 minutes at wash bath. I would start Leo on Welactin fish oil and essential 6 spot on by dermoscent. Hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns you may have

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 18th, 2019

    Hello. You can definitely start Leo on some fish oil, perhaps around 500 mg fish oil capsule twice a day. If his skin is very dry, you can also start a topical called Dermascennt Essential 6 Spot-on which is available at Chewy & on Amazon. This should help. But if he ontinues to be uncomfortable, you may need additional help & medications from your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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