Crusty Sores All Over Dog's Body & Red Spots on Belly

by Trish H.

Crusty Sores

My dog started getting crusty sores all over her body and also red spots on her belly. She is 7 years old and has always been very healthy with no skin conditions or other health problems. The only issue she has from time to time is ear infections.

She has been on raw food all of her life up until recently when I switched her food to another healthy food that I prepare with all fresh food with an added dog nutrient packet for each fresh recipe called Just food for Dogs. They provide the recipe of all fresh ingredients and then I mix in the vitamin nutrients. The ingredients were all very similar to the raw food ingredients except for one recipe that I started feeding her more of which included wheat macaroni.

She had never had wheat or grain except for an occasional treat but most of her treats are also grain free. I am wondering if she has an allergy to grain? Seems to make sense but I am not sure because it is taking a while for the scabs and sores to clear up.

I took her off the turkey and macaroni recipe and started feeding her grain free food, Merrick buffalo and sweet potato grain free recipe. I also started adding a tsp of Apple cider vinegar and some plain Greek yogurt with her morning meal.

The sores are still there after about a month. I gave her a dose of Benadryl today but just wondering if she might need an antibiotic or something else to help flush her system out and get her back to normal.

She is itchy and scratchy but seems to be itching less after I gave her the first dose.

Also, I am wondering if she should go back on the raw food? The brand I fed her was Primal, beef or lamb patties. The reason I switched was she seemed tired of the food and didn't want to eat it.

But if it means she will have healthy skin again then I will definitely try to get her to eat it again.

Comments for Crusty Sores All Over Dog's Body & Red Spots on Belly

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 29, 2015

My Online Vet Response for: Crusty Sores All Over Dog's Body & Red Spots on Belly
by: Dr Carol Jean Tillman

January 29, 2015

Hi Trish,
From the photos of your dog's skin, and describing the itching and scratching, especially belly and the rest of her body, I suspect she has an allergy and her scratching has caused some secondary infection in her skin.

She may be allergic to wheat/grain, but I would also worry about inhaled allergies to grasses, pollens, or even flea allergy.

Returning to the raw Primal diet would be a good idea. Although if she was tired of the lamb or beef, she might prefer chicken or turkey. At 7 years of age, she is sort of 'middle' aged, and a blood panel to rule out an underlying pancreas, liver, or kidney problem, would be a good idea. The lamb or beef may be too 'rich' for her to digest now. If she has an allergic condition, this might also show up in the blood panel.

In the meantime, here are some suggestions:

1. Bathe her once a week with a baby shampoo. Use 'cool' water, which will help to cool off her red, inflamed, itchy skin. A bath will also remove surface bacteria caused by scratching herself.

2. Make her wear a cotton T-shirt. This will protect her skin from her scratching.

3. Flea Prevention-See our page on Natural Flea Prevention, http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-flea-medicine.html. And check out EVOLV, from www.wondercide.com, made of cedar oil.

4. Diet--return to the Primal diet, and consider chicken or turkey.

5. Blood Panel

6. NO more vaccinations. At seven years old, and she is now suddenly developing an allergic dermatitis problem, I am concerned she may have some underlying problem. Continuing to vaccinate her will further compromise her immune system. Seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to write an exemption.

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

7. If the above suggestions do not restore her to full health, she may need some immune support and homeopathic remedies.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Jan 29, 2015

Vaccinations
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for your advice Dr. Carol! I will take her to her vet to get a blood panel done. I hope there is not underlying condition! I really do think it was the food because the sores have never been there until I switched the food but I'm sure it will be a good idea just to be sure. As for stopping the vaccinations, I don't think I can stop them because we love in Hawaii and she travels with me (she is my service dog) and the Dept of agriculture requires the vaccinations to be current when and we have to go through them every time we return back to the islands. I believe it is only the rabies that she needs to keep current. Also, you mentioned it may be a flea allergy but ahe has always been on flea medication from the beginning. Revolution for the first few years and Trifexis for the past two years and I habe never seen a flea on her, although she is a labradoodle and she is quite furry. But she is with me 24/7 and I am very aware when she is acting different or has any sort of issue. I think the baths will help and I just got an oatmeal and tea tree shampoo that my groomer recommended for me to use. Thanks so much again for your help and advise!

Feb 01, 2015

My Online Vet Response for: Crusty Sores All Over Dog's Body & Red Spots on Belly
by: Dr Carol Jean Tillman

January 31, 2015

Hi Trish,
Regarding the Rabies vaccination:
Would it be possible to find out if they would accept only the Antibody titer without a Rabies vaccination? Especially if she has been vaccinated the year before?

The veterinarian filling in the Health Certificate could also write a note that she has no infectious or contagious disease but that she is not healthy enough at this time for a vaccination due to allergic dermatitis.

Also, FYI, In every box of vaccine comes an insert that says, 'to be administered to HEALTHY dogs and cats only.'

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask a Vet Online via My Online Vet (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED FOR NEW QUESTIONS).

Want to ask our veterinarians a question but haven't subscribed to My Online Vet? Click here to learn how or click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

Want monthly "News You Can Use" and important Organic Pet Digest new content updates? Click here to sign up for our FREE Dog Care Monthly newsletter.

Do you believe in holistic pet care? If so, please tell your friends about us with a Facebook like, Google +1 or via Twitter, Pinterest, email or good old fashioned word of mouth. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

For additional research, search for your topic...

Also see...

OPD's Site Map of Dog Care Topics

Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words, when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or affiliate relationship. Click here for more info.