My dog's skin rash is getting worse after seeing the vet. What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 57.23 lbs
I’ve taken her to vets but it’s got a lot worse!
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 29th, 2019
Poor Sasha! If that lesion is getting worse, she needs to go back to the veterinarian for further diagnostics. The doctor may recommend a culture to check for unusual bacteria or a biopsy to check for autoimmune disease. Make sure to protect the area from scratching with an elizabethan collar. I hope she starts feeling better and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on November 15th, 2019
Hi, it really depends if it’ just a form of dermatitis or secondary to a systemic illness. If it’s just dermatitis a course of antibiotics should clear it. I would recommend that she is also treated for skin parasites. Hope this helps
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
do i need to see a Dr or is it just a rash?
That lesion may require a visit to the veterinarian. It does not look like a rash, it looks more like an infection. Make sure to protect the area from any licking or scratching with an Elizabethan collar. Keep it clean and dry. You can wash the area one time and rinse it well. If it does not start to improve within a few days, or if you want it taken care of quickly, have Junior examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I went to Jessie’s usual vet 2x already to show them his rash. They were not concerned and sent me home with Chlorhexadine Gluconate 3% just in case. I use it as prescribed and the rash almost looks worse. I am not sure if it more than just a rash an
It does look like a skin infection but the origin (bacterial, fungal, yeast) I don't know just by looking at it. If it is bacterial, sometimes oral antibiotics are needed if topical therapy is not working. I don't know what cream you are using as I am not aware of a chlorhexidine cream, or how long you have been using it, so it's hard for me to comment much more on what you are already doing. I personally like these chlorhexidine wipes because they also contain an anti-fungal/anti-yeast component (climabazole) and a component to help repair the skin (phytosphingosine) so it is gentle. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-5393-douxo-chlorhexidine-3-ps-pads-for-dogs-and-cats-30.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo+Auto ) If she is licking this area, it will never get better. So, if she is licking, you will need to get an E-collar (cone) for her to wear until this is healed. So, if you want to try the medicated pads, I would do that. If there is still not resolution after a few weeks then she should go bac
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
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.
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! My 2 year old black lab mix, Leo, developed this kind of skin rash/ burn looking thing on his right hind leg, It started yesterday night, not sure if it’s a bug bite (which doesn’t seem like) or maybe something fungal? We cleaned it and used an
Hello! My name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. Thank you for sending the photo. It is helpful. That skin lesion could have a few causes: The most common reasons are •Allergies (environmental or food) •Bacterial infection •Fungal infections There are a few questions to ask yourself: Has there been any new treats or food within the last 2 weeks? If so, stop giving the new item. It could be related to the itching. Does your pet have a history of itchy skin or ear infections? If so, it could indicate an underlying condition like allergies or thyroid disease. Are other pets in the household itching? If so, it could indicate a communal cause. Here are some things you can do at home with may help. 1. Stop any licking (since this can make it worse) - Leo should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. - Remember that the collar must come out past his nose in order to be effective. 2. Next, wash the area once a day with either plain hand soap (like Dial) or a medicated
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Please help we took arendog to vet he gave him a shot and a pill to take for two weeks ... he was all cleared up after the medication stopped the rash came back!!! It’s all over his belly and up his legs and some through his body
I would recommend taking Legend back to the vet for re-evaluation since their treatment did not resolve the issue. This could be an autoimmune disease, deep bacterial or fungal infection, mites, endocrine disease, etc. The vet may recommend a biopsy or other testing to diagnose the issue so they can start the best treatment possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 10 yr Belgium x has a 6" diameter rash w/ Brown scab like edges all around. It's very itchy for her. I'm 45 mins no. of Los Angeles in the mountains.
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I'm sorry to hear that Peyton has a large rash. This large of a lesion should be evaluated by a veterinarian, who can determine if there is evidence of infection and/or a possible cancerous process. If you cannot get her to a veterinarian soon, I recommend putting an Elizabethan collar (cone collar) on to prevent Peyton from being able to lick wherever the lesion is. I do not recommend putting any ointments or topical medications on, as this can keep the area moist and prevent healing. I hope this is helpful! Please consider having this lesion examined by a veterinarian, so specific recommendations and medications can be made!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! My dog has had this rash/lump thing for a few weeks now and at first it wasn't this bad so I didn't think anything of it, since Valentines day the rash/lump has grown and he growls at me or whines whenever I try to touch it. Shluld I make him
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). 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 used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My doxie has red blisters on hairless underside that start out dime size she lick them and they turn crusty then into Blake spots.Vet tech said to use neosporin.What would you recomend?her vets on vacation. Thank-you
I'm sorry to hear that Sasha has been licking and developing these skin lesions. Her lesions look most suspicious for a bacterial skin infection, but could also be a result of ringworm or mange. Personally, I never find Neosporin to be overly effective in managing skin infections. Instead, I prefer using medicated antimicrobial shampoos, particularly those that are chlorhexidine-based (here is one example: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27982). Since Sasha is licking herself, consider also keeping an e-collar (cone) on her when she is not supervised (i.e. overnight or when you are out of the house) to prevent further irritation/damage to the skin. Be sure to take Sasha to her vet when they are back from vacation for further evaluation because many skin infections require oral antibiotics for resolution. I hope this helps and that all goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 10 month old boxer has a rash on her head. It has spread over the last few weeks. It doesn’t seem to be improving. I haven’t tried to treat it with anything.
Those spots on Luna could be several things including allergies, skin mites, flea bites, ringworm (which humans can get) or a bacterial infection. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can cleanse the lesions with a hypoallergenic baby wipe once a day. Protect the areas from scratching and she may need to wear an Elizabethan collar at all times. If the lesions don't start looking better within about a week or if they get worse, have her examined by the veterinarian who may prescribe medications. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've gotten my dogs rash to go away but it ends up coming right back. I've cut out all the things she is allergic to and nothing is working and I'm worried and I dont know what to do can you help??
If the rash keeps coming back, it likely indicates she is allergic to something you are not aware of or something about her confirmation/skin is causing the lesion. Those spots on Chloe could be several things including allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Simparica. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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