My dog has a skin reaction. What can I do to help her stop licking?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Rat Terrier | Female | spayed | 2 years old | 20 lbs
My dog has had a skin reaction to something. I would appreciate yr advice
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 20th, 2019
If she is licking or chewing, place an e-collar (cone) on her. An antihistamine may help, however ,legally, we are prohibited from telling you to go ahead and give it. You would need to contact your veterinarian for a dose. This may require an exam. Most minor reactions resolve on their own within 24 hours.. if it worsens, definitely see your veterinarian.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 26th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks very irritated. The first thing is to make sure he is not licking at it as that will make it worse. If he is, I would recommend that you use an e-collar to prevent further licking. You may use A + D ointment or Desitin to soothe the irritation until he sees his veterinarian tomorrow. Good luck and have a great day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been licking a certain pet of her leg (near radius and elbow) for a few days. I checked and on both legs, there is a rash that when I touch it, she feels discomfort. Our vet said it could be an allergic reaction to her environment. Is ther
Anything you apply will likely be licked off before it has a chance to help. Your best option is to place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking. Contact your veterinarian and ask about OTC or prescription antihistamines that may help if an allergic reaction is involved. A fish oil supplement may also help promote healthy skin. If symptoms persist, consider an exam to rule out infection or injury. You can also discuss allergy testing, food allergies and environmental allergies in depth with your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I gave peapumpkin her prednisone for her hot spot but sheds still chewing and biting . Can she take a 10 mg hydroxizine tablet that is hers on top of that to stop it ? They have the steroid and antibiotics this last time she had pneumonia again loud
Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking or chewing. This alone may allow time for healing. Continue to medicate her as directed by your veterinarian. Legally, we are prohibited from recommending medications or providing dosing information in the absence of a physical exam and a patient-veterinarian-client relationship. Discuss antihistamine use with your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is itching, licking and chewing herself frequently the past two days. I'm thinking she has allergies caused by her diet. Is there anything I can do to comfort her till I can get her in to see the vet?
I hate to hear Lucy is uncomfortable. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You can give an antihistamine though these tend to not be as effective for food allergies. You can wash any lesions once a day (not her whole body, just the lesions). Also protect the area from trauma by having your pup wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Have erm examined by the veterinarian when they can get her in for better treatment. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What’s going on with my dog and what can I give him at home until he’s able to go to his vet tomorrow
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This looks very irritated. The first thing is to make sure he is not licking at it as that will make it worse. If he is, I would recommend that you use an e-collar to prevent further licking. You may use A + D ointment or Desitin to soothe the irritation until he sees his veterinarian tomorrow. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Ruger has been extra itchy lately! He has had itchy/allergy related discomfort in the past and I have been told that it could just be seasonal allergies. Is there anything I can do to help relieve his itchy discomfort? Note: He is on flea medication
If he is chewing or licking excessively, an e-collar (cone) can be used to prevent injury. Antihistamines can be used, but you will need to discuss a safe dose for Ruger with your veterinarian. If the itching is severe, your vet may dispense or administer a short acting steroid for relief after which you can give the antihistamines. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials with your veterinarian. Allergies can be frustrating, but once you identify the allergen(s), management becomes easier.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Rash, 4 days old. Have applied antibacterial ointment 3 times a day for past two. She licks constantly. I try to prevent. Do I need to go in?
Poor Tardis! I would try to use a cortisone or Benadryl spray on the area and put an cone collar on her to prevent the licking. You can also give her oral Benadryl if needed for itching. See link below. If it persists despite trying this or if it worsens then yes, I would certainly take her in. Your vet will be able to give her stronger meds to help this heal faster. It will never heal if she doesn't stop licking it though so the cone collar is very important. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/#
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Dog got a cut on upper front leg, not sure if it's a bug bite or an actual cut. She licked that "cut" for a few days until that area was raw, so raw that the hair was gone and it was red and inflamed. We found her old ecoller from when she was spayed
Poor Keiko. It look Ike it is healing. You can try some Benadryl spray and 25mg Benadryl (1 adult tablet) twice a day to help with the itching. If she is still continuing to chew, she may need something strongly like steroids prescribed by your vet to help knock out the itch. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
What should I do to heal my dogs self inflicted scratch wounds on her face due to constant itching? I put wound and care spray on the open scratches and have been keeping a close eye on her and encouraging her to sleep so she can heal, but she keeps
First, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further scratching. Keep it on her 24/7. You can take it off when she eats or drinks, but monitor her closely so she doesn't start scratching again. Next, have her seen by your veterinarian. The licking, biting, scratching and hair loss may be due to allergies ( https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies ). These can be difficult to diagnose since there are many causes (inhaled, environmental, food, fleas). Discuss allergy testing, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with your veterinarian. The doctor may prescribe medications to treat the wounds and stop the scratching. https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/seasonal-allergies-in-dogs-what-you-need-to-know/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 9 year old Chihuahua with allergies that are really bad so she's in a cone most of the time. She's had this cone for a while now and is used to it. But lately, she's been rubbing her face on & licking the inside of the cone, she occasionally
It could be the allergies, or it could be something in her mouth, such as something stuck between her teeth, and infected tooth, or something else like that. I would recommend that you have your girl checked out by a vet for peace of mind. If her oral exam is normal, you may want to talk to your vet about other treatment options for allergies since wearing a cone only stops the damage they can cause to themselves, it won't take away the itching that causes them to lick or chew. Depending on her symptoms, she may benefit from allergy testing and drops or shots, a special diet, oral medications like Apoquel, or a monthly injection like Cytopoint to help manage her symptoms. Here are some links you may find helpful for allergies: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&sterm=allergies&species=All https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergies/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I thought it might be dermatitis but it was really thick and scabby tell he kept licking it. I clean it with a warm wash cloth and then dry it. and the put Vermonts original bag balm. I've been doing this for about a week. and I was wondering if I a
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. You can use an e-collar in the meantime to prevent further self trauma. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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