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My dog's skin rash and hair loss keeps returning. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | neutered | 1 year and 8 months old | 20 lbs

My dog Jax has bad an ongoing skin problem for three months maybe longer. I have taken him to the vet and and they gave me Kim wipes, Phytovet shampoo, Chlorpheniramine, Oephalexin, Pretezone (don't know if I spelled that one right), and they have given him shots of steroids. As soon as he is done with his pills, the rash comes right back. His tail has been completely hairless, he had a big patch missing on his left leg twice. What should I do now? He can't wear a cone forever.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Summer Walker, DVM, MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 8th, 2017

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Jax, it is likely that Jax has an underlying allergy (environmental, food, parasitic) that is causing the rash to return once the treatments are stopped. Allergy patients generally require lifelong treatment to manage the clinical signs associated with a flare (itching, redness, bumps, odor, recurring ear infections). To start, always make sure Jax is on an appropriate flea preventative to rule-out a possible flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend a food trial with a novel protein diet to see if there is improvement noted in the severity of the itching. Environmental allergens can be treated with oral medications (Atopica, Apoquel), injectables (Cytopoint, corticosteroids), or with allergen-specific immunotherapy (to desensitize a patient to the allergen). I would recommend scheduling a recheck with Jax's veterinarian to discuss these possible concerns and see what the next course of action should be for Jax.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 23rd, 2017

    Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry for your concerns with Bruno. You are most likely describing allergies, either from environmental causes, such as fleas, pollens or molds, or his food. You can try switching his food, but unless you use a specific limited ingredient one, just using a grain free does not usually cut it. Your veterinarian can make several recommendations. If he is not on an allergy medication, it is very important to consider one. Apoquel is an excellent choice for an oral anti allergy medication, & now there is an injection that can keep your pet itch free for 4-8 weeks called Cytopoint. Please talk to your vet about what is recommended to keep Bruno itch & rash free. Take care.

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