Why is my dog itching, with inflamed skin, chewed fur, and pimples?

Question

My dog constantly itches now on his back leg the hair has been chewed off and the skin is inflamed with what looks like white head pimples. Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd - miniature | Male | neutered | 4 years and 2 months old | 26 lbs

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

What you are describing appears to be a skin infection (the whitehead pimples) that was caused by a primary problem leading Yazzie to itch. Itchy skin is often due to the following things: 1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause. 2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's good to check him for fleas and get treatment if needed. 3) Over-bathing, or using the wrong product for bathing - Bathing too often can cause the skin to get dry and irritated. Dogs should normally be bathed no more than once a month with a shampoo that is labeled for dogs. If you bathe more than that, or use a shampoo or soap that is meant for people, then you could be damaging the normal protective barrier of the skin. One thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. In Yazzie's case it's best to use a medicated dog shampoo and bathe him once every two days. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. I hope this helps you to identify the problem. If not, then it would be worth taking him to the vet. We can usually discover the cause quickly and provide the most effective treatment. Below are a few links to some information that should be helpful. https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/skin-allergies-vs-food-allergies/

Why is my dog itching, with inflamed skin, chewed fur, and pimples?

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