Dog Belly and Leg Fold Rash

by Jim & Deb
(Grand Rapids, MI, USA)

Our dog has developed a rash on his belly. It started about 8 weeks ago, and we gave him prednisone which seemed to clear it up in a few days. But this time it seems worse than last time… it is covering his entire belly and his leg fold areas. He doesn’t seem bothered by these rashes… he doesn’t scratch at them or lick them.

Our four year old male American bulldog has had all of his vaccinations, is not on any meds, is in good health and is active. His diet has not changed, he gets Nutro Max dry food and Pedigree wet food (mixed together in the morning) and he hydrates well.

He sometimes lays outside in the red cedar wood chips in our back yard, and he and our other dog (a 7 yr old female American bulldog (she’s 7yrs) with no rashes) go in the creek (there are ducks in the creek area, for what it’s worth) and on their walk together.

We have had both dogs since they were pups. They are not "outside" dogs, and they are inside more than out. They will, on occasion, get a table scrap, but not very often. They also get their afternoon "snack" which is one cup of the dry food and half of a cup of Moist and Meaty.

We have read some of the advice in your website but would like your opinion and any advice you could give us.

Thank you,

Jim & Deb

Comments for
Dog Belly and Leg Fold Rash

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(From a fellow subscriber, NOT a veterinarian from Organic Pet Digest's My Online Vet)
by: Jeri

I would ditch the Moist and Meaty, the Nutro Max, and the Pedigree. This food will keep a dog alive, but not healthy.

They are convenience foods for people. Dogs are carnivores and need to be fed a species appropriate diet. Their teeth are meant to rip and tear meat and eat bones. Diet is the foundation of health, we must begin there.

Second, no more vaccines, ever. Your dogs have had had more than enough vaccines. Much chronic disease has it's roots in vaccines. You can try putting some aloe vera gel right from the plant on the red spots, some Rescue Remedy cream, or Calendula cream.

Your vet will most likely prescribe some sort of suppressive drug which will drive these symptoms, that want to come out, further into the body affecting another body system(s) sooner or later.

Please get your guys on a raw diet!

My Online Vet Response for Dog Belly and Leg Fold Rash
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Jim & Deb,
Your dog's rash appears to be superficial pyoderma. This is usually caused by a Staph infection. Bacterial infections are not itchy like allergies, but the prednisone would have 'temporarily' reduced some of the surrounding inflammation and redness and made it appear to help, but the bacteria still remain.

As one of our subscribers, Jeri, has jumped in and pointed out, giving conventional drugs are not the long term solution to this problem. Check out this page on dog skin conditions which will go into more details regarding over-vaccination, dry food hazards, etc.

A holistic approach to treatment would be to treat the whole patient. That is why diet, non-toxic flea control, environmental factors, mental and emotional stability are so important. In the meantime, while you are searching for a holistic veterinarian, you can use Baby Shampoo to bathe his underside 1-2 times per week.

Keeping this area clean and dry is very important towards reducing the bacterial load in the skin (bacteria are normally found on the skin, but in his case his vital force has been weakened and that is why he is expressing his 'disease' in this manner). Since he is not scratching or itching, I would not apply anything topical to the area, just keep him clean.

Feeding 2 times daily is better. And a raw diet is very nutritional and will really help boost his immune system. You can start by adding 1-2 TBSP of raw chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb to his meals two times daily. NO RAW PORK OR RAW FISH.

A holistic vet will help you determine a balanced raw diet for him, and the appropriate supplements to use in conjunction with homeopathic remedies to get him on the road to a healthy skin, and overall good health.

Exercise him (both of them!) two times daily by taking them out for walks. Fresh air and sunlight are also good for mental and emotional health for humans and dogs!

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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

Related Pages:
- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Dog Skin Rash,
- Dog Skin Allergies,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section

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