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Recommend medicated shampoo for dog itchy skin, fungal & bacterial?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 6 years and 5 months old | 50 lbs

My bully mix has an itchy skin issue and I was hoping you could recommend a medicated shampoo. We have seen several vets and they have each recommended a different shampoo so I'm not sure what would be best. I would like something antifungal and antibacterial (Chlorhexidine?). I've been told Zymox, Duoxo, Henry Schein, and several others. What ingredients should I look for? I'm currently using Pharmaseb. Unfortunately I don't have any more money for vets now so this is my first line treatment.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 16th, 2017

All of the brands you listed are good shampoos. Duoxo is one of my go to shampoos but many are equivalent. A chlorhexadine/ketoconazole shampoo helps treat yeast and bacteria. The main thing is to lather Sibyl up and allow the lather to soak for 20 minutes or so before rinsing. If needed you can bathe every 2-3 days. I also recommend an oral omega 3 supplement such as Derm Caps. Remember if you use topical flea or heart worm prevention the medicated shampoos will strip it out. I recommend oral preventatives for dogs getting medicated baths. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-skin-and-dogs https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pruritus-itching-and-scratching-in-dogs I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    A combination product effective against yeast bacteria such as duoxo with chlorhexidine and miconazole may help but in the majority of dogs with recurrent skin issues the condition will not resolve unless underlying triggers such as allergy can be identified and managed

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