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My dog scratches, ripping skin. Why isn't vet cream working?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | unneutered | 9 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

For a while now my dog has been constantly itchy and scratching herself to the point of ripping her skin off and i’m worried because i do not know what it is, the vet said it might be an infection and gave us medical cream. but it only has gotten worse and it gets me worried.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 25th, 2020

This does look pretty serious. I'm sorry that Candy is having this issue. My guess based on the way this looks is that she may cuteaneouspythiosis which is a fungal disease. If it is this disease, it is VERY difficult to treat. I know this is frustrating for everyone but in order to find out what is going on and to properly treat her with the correct medications, you need to do some more testing. She needs bloodwork for sure and a skin biopsy of one of those lesions. Without the biopsy we aren't going to know what it is and how to treat it. So, please talk to your vet about doing more testing.

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    Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It could be an allergy that is causing the itch at the first place, and the skin inflammation and infection is secondary to excessive scratching and biting. Allergies like this are very common nowadays. Dogs can be allergic to several allergens they are in frequent contact with, like pollen, plants, chemicals used at home and outside, floors, carpets, food, flea allergy and more. You need to take Candy back to your vet to get treatment in form of tablets or injections as creams and ointments are often ineffective in treating allergies.

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