My Poodle has scabs and is itchy. Can a vet pathologist help?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Poodle | Male | neutered | 70 lbs
standard poodle-he has some scabs and is itchy. Our vets don't know what it is, so he has him on some kind of expertental drug. My question is- are there vet patholigests and could I send them samples ?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 13th, 2017
Food and environmental allergies are common causes of this. They do have veterinarians that specialize in pathology. There are 2 types of samples you can get your vet to submit. One is a cytology impression smear which is non invasive and easy to perform. The other is a biopsy which will require anesthesia by yourbvet to keep full depth skin samples for submission. Your best answer will come from a biopsy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on March 8th, 2020
The best treatment will be aimed at the cause of the scabs. I would take Holly to the vet for evaluation. Depending on the locations of the lesions, her medical history, and remaining physical exam, the vet may recommend collecting a sample for examination under the microscope or a treatment based on what could be the cause, such as allergies, external parasites, fungal infection, bacterial infection, autoimmune disease, etc.
5Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my toy poodle has some scabs on him please can you help
Although a picture would help to determine the underlying cause, this may be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 6 month toy poodle has dry skin and some scabs like coffee grounds ? What can I do
Skin problems can have a variety of causes, sometimes more than one. Allergies, parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, even contact with some surfaces or substances will cause itching, rash and/or hair loss. It is important to have the problem checked by your vet to determine if there is a medical cause for your pet’s skin issues and treat accordingly. In pets of all ages, fleas, food allergies and exposure to chemical irritants such as cleaners and soaps can be a cause. Any one of these may not be enough to trigger the breakouts, depending on how sensitive your pet is, but a combination can be enough to start the itch-scratch cycle. Finding out the cause and eliminating it is the best course of action. With flea allergies, if your pet is sensitive enough, a single bite can cause them to break out scratch enough to tear their skin. Check for fleas with a flea comb. Look for fleas and/or tiny black granules, like coarse black pepper. This is flea feces, consisting of digested, drie
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She is getting kinda skinny and itches her eye 24/7 and has scabs in her ears bites her paws and shedding alot the side of her bald eye her leg also went bald ? Could this be mange ? Or a food allergy ? Or an eye infection ? Heat rash ? Im just so sa
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her 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 envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I have a 12 year old mini Boston who recently had bald, scabby spots appear on his back. We took him to the vet immediately and they put him on 2 weeks of antibiotics with no improvement. It is actually getting worse, almost like a connecting lin
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. 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 envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has several scabs on her body in different areas but several on her back. They’re itchy and they scab over but they don’t go away and this has been going on for months. What can I put on it to make them go away
The best treatment will be aimed at the cause of the scabs. I would take Holly to the vet for evaluation. Depending on the locations of the lesions, her medical history, and remaining physical exam, the vet may recommend collecting a sample for examination under the microscope or a treatment based on what could be the cause, such as allergies, external parasites, fungal infection, bacterial infection, autoimmune disease, etc.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my German wire haired pointer mix keep getting scabby sores? He’s 4 and recently started getting them about 3 months ago. He was seen for just having one about a year ago and I was told it was not cancer. No change in diet for the past 2 yea
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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. Aller
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How to treat round scabs with hair loss but no itching or scratching on a 13 y.o. golden retriever with no history of skin allergies spending summer on lake
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Even if he does not have any history of previous skin allergies, this is possibly due to allergies especially since it appears to be seasonal. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog shake his head scratch his ear and then lick his paw Second problem is red patches on coat And third is baldness jn some area small spots of skin is visible
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). The following products can be found online and can be tried as a first line approach: Douxo PS Calm shampoo, Essential 6 spot on by dermoscent, Krillex Krill oil chews. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us aga
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has non painful sores on her belly and legs that don’t seem to bother her and scab over then reappear in other spots. She developed these with no recent change in diet, bedding, shampoo, etc.
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has many small pustules and inflammation on edges of outer lips. She also has a scabbed area on her face with induration. What could it be?
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
