My dog's rash is getting worse. What can I do before the vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 145 lbs
My dog has a rash, she has allergies to some foods but it’s been over a week with it progressively getting worse. I have an appointment set up to see the vet in a couple days but I want to know is there anything I should do for her in the mean time. If it looks like anything other than a allergic reaction
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 7th, 2018
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Bristol has some redness and crusting on her abdomen. While this can be caused by food allergy, the redness and crusting is an indication of a skin infection. You can bathe Bristol with an antibacterial shampoo formulated for dogs, which can be found in pet stores to begin getting the itching and infection under control. I also recommend getting her an E-collar or "cone" to prevent her from licking/chewing the area and making it worse. If you think that certain foods may cause the signs to get worse, I recommend feeding Bristol only her dog food, with no human food or treats for the next few days. I hope this helps and that all is well with Bristol!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a rash in his right armpit and elbow. We took him to the vet and they weren't sure what could be causing it. They prescribed him Betafuse vet gel and told us to use it twice a day for 2 weeks. It's been 2 weeks now and the rash has gotten
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. 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 rewardi
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My dog has had a rash on her belly for about a week. We’ve restricted diet, used oatmeal shampoo to bathe, and today it seems worse with some of the small red dots having white centers. Other than the rash she is doing well. Do I need to take her in?
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
Training & Behavior
My Labradoodle has a hysterectomy operation 1 month ago and she has had a bad rash on her belly ever since. She is in some distress and she keeps licking and stamping her leg. I have tried a anti-itch spray but this only gives her temporary relief. O
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. The most important part of treatment of a rash is to stop the self-trauma. I strongly recommend getting an E-collar for Bess. Once you have this on, I would clean the rash with warm water, and then dry it very well. If there is yellow/cream/green debris, or the pimples are very numerous, then antibiotics might be required. I would try the e-collar for a couple days, if it isn't looking better fairly quickly then I suggest going back to your vet to discuss if antiboitics are required. There isn't really anything that you can put on it in the mean-time to help with the itch, as steroid creams might make it worse if there is a bad infection. Once you stop the licking with the E-collar it should start to improve. Best of luck with Bess.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has this rash, it does not seem to bother him
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! I can see that Bauer has some red and raised areas in his underarm. This may be caused by a skin infection, exacerbated by allergies, which can be itchy. I recommend limiting Bauer's diet to only his regular dog food and using a gentle antibacterial dog shampoo on the area. If it does not improve over the next several days, Bauer may need to be seen by his vet for antibiotics. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Please help my Boston Terrier puppy’s itch. She started getting this rash after finishing her shots on 4/28, along with a small lump near her shoulder where they injected her. I bath her with very mild, natural shampoo. She’s on a combo of organic ra
Hello. I do not think the vaccinations caused any problems, it just looks like she has some allergy issues. Unfortunately, it looks like you have a bit of a staph infection on her abdomen & groin region, & just some sensitivities on her chest. Let's try treating her with a good antibacterial shampoo. I like KetoChlor shampoo that you can find on Amazon, Chewy & other sites. Keep the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing & bather her twice a week for the next 3-6 weeks. I would also start her on a good omega 3 fatty acid like Nordic Naturals for dogs. Give this a go for a few weeks & see how it helps her skin. Good luck & thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Has patches of red Rashes all over his body and face/Nose area also little bumps around his tummy and Lower area
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
Food & Nutrition
My dog seems to be having some sort of rash thing going on. She had it previously but it seemed like it was her food. as I changed her food and it went away. Now it has come back. And this is in a days worth. What should I do?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This skin irritation is severe and warrants therapy. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my 15 year old maltese has a rash on her abdomen and groin area. They are red patches and some have a crust on them. They are itchy
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
My labrador is having big white crusts on skin. It is also having red rashes and itching. What is the cause of this?
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
My dog has a reaction on his stomaches kind of looks like a bite but all over and just need to know what it is and what to do to treat it?
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 medications such as prednisone and Apoquel which may help reduce the itch. There are medications such as Apoquel or prednisone which may help with the itch. 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
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