Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck

by Klaudia Edmondson
(Brisbane, Australia)

Rash on Neck with Pimples

Rash on Jaw with Pimples (hard to see)

I have a 12 month old female Boxer (Stella) and I have been trying to get on top of her skin rash for the past 6 months.

Currently she has a constant red rash on her neck and underside of her jaw (the tip). She scratches very hard on her jaw sometimes. Sometimes she will have a few small red bumps on her belly and she licks her genitals & tries to bite at the base of her tail. Occasionally she will also lick/chew on her paws. There are tiny little black spots in between her toes.

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I will give you a history run-down first:

1. At about 4-5 months Stella had an ear infection. I discovered it quite late and due to this she also had further infections on her skin (mostly under her armpits, they got swollen and red). Once this was treated, she seemed fine. The vet also recommended to bathe Stella regularly with Malaseb Medical Shampoo.
2. At 6 months of age Stella was spayed and a few days after she started licking her paws a lot to the point where they got really red and infected. She was on antibiotics to help heal her wound. I tried to keep the paw licking under control with wiping her down after every walk and it seemed to keep it in check, but she never fully recovered from it. I tried various things like Epsom salts, oatmeal rinse, raw apple cider vinegar....all of which reduced the symptoms slightly but never fully healed her.
3. I tried to change her food (I always fed raw but now tried different brands and go from different angles - I live in Australia and even tried kangaroo meat). I contacted a naturopath who assessed Stella through a hair sample (bio-compatibility test) but it was no real allergy test for pollens or environmental triggers. So really it didn't help much. Any supplements/homeopathic skin formulas didn't really work.
4. I visited the vet and he prescribed antibiotics and steroids to treat the symptoms but this failed. She responded only the first couple of days whilst the dose was high but as soon as the dose lowered the pimples came back on her neck.
5. She is an outside dog and sometimes digs in dry soil near the house where the grass doesn't grow. She also chews on the grass sometimes or the odd plant (I have already removed a few plants that she often chewed on).
6. I have changed her bedding to a flea resistant type.
7. She receives natural flea treatment and homeopathic tick prevention formula. I also give her the usual monthly all-rounder wormer chews. Previous to the natural flea/tick formula I gave her sentinel instead.
8. Since the 12th of June (about a month ago) I have fed Stella only raw chicken (minced chicken frames from the butcher), whole chicken frames, veggie pulp and a health booster supplement. I wanted to see if the food is the cause, but the rash is on & off (or less inflamed and more inflamed) from time to time. It has never completely gone away but she is about 70% better than she was 6 months ago.
9. When she developed her severe rash 6 months ago, it was high summer.
10. I haven't bathed her for at least 4 months, as I don't think it is necessary and she really doesn't seem to need it (her coat looks nice and doesn't smell).

My questions are:

1. What allergy do you think Stella suffers from (food, flea, bacterial, atopy, environmental)?
2. What treatment do you suggest?
3. Is it safe to keep feeding her just raw chicken and supplements for the time being?

Attached are some photos.
I look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Klaudia

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Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck

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My Online Vet Response for Dog Rash on Mouth and Neck
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Klaudia,
From the photos you sent and your description of the other locations where she chews, licks and itches, my first assumption was a flea bite dermatitis, with some Atopy (inhaled allergies). Since there was no (or minimal) response to the antibiotics and steroids, that leaves a dog food allergy as a cause. Although, it is not uncommon at all for food, flea and inhaled allergies to occur all in the same patient.
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For flea control, it is vitally important not only to work on the dog, but also on the environment to control the flea eggs and larvae. And even if you have removed all fleas from your dog, she will still scratch for 3-4 days from one flea bite if she has a flea bite allergy. Check out our Natural Flea Control for Pets page for more information.

For food allergy, you are on the right track with what you are feeding her now: "Since the 12th of June (about a month ago) I have fed Stella only raw chicken (minced chicken frames from the butcher), whole chicken frames, veggie pulp and a health booster supplement."

If a food allergy is her main problem, veterinary dermatologists advise continuing the 'restricted' or hypoallergenic diet for at least 3-6 weeks, to see if there is a response. Since you mentioned that she has partially improved, you must continue longer.

Dog Atopy, or inhaled allergies, are due to genetic predispositions, and certain breeds of dogs are affected worse than others. Boxers are known for their poor immune system and high susceptibility to dog cancer and tumors.

If she received numerous vaccinations at 3-4 months of age, and that is when the ear 'infection' appeared with inflammation under her armpits, I would suspect the vaccines triggered or stressed her immune system at that time. Then when she was spayed at 6 months (another big stress on the immune system, and surgery will also suppress the immune system), she started with licking her feet, a big symptom of atopy.

The redness, swelling and pimples are due to the secondary bacteria that are causing the problem to worsen. The bacteria did not start her skin problem, her susceptibility to allergies started and then the bacteria invaded later.

(Continued below...)

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Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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Comment
 <span style="clear:both;"> <div class="AdSenseBoxMid" id="mid_add">  <script type='text/javascript'> GA_googleFillSlot("OPD-sbi-c2-template-CONTENT-midleft-300x250-wrap"); </script> </div> </span> Hi Klaudia, From the photos you sent and your description of the other locations where she chews, licks and itches, my first assumption was a flea bite dermatitis, with some Atopy (inhaled allergies). Since there was no (or minimal) response to the antibiotics and steroids, that leaves a <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-with-dog-food-allergy.html">dog food allergy</a> as a cause. Although, it is not uncommon at all for food, flea and inhaled allergies to occur all in the same patient.  </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </span> --> For flea control, it is vitally important not only to work on the dog, but also on the environment to control the flea eggs and larvae. And even if you have removed all fleas from your dog, she will still scratch for 3-4 days from one flea bite if she has a flea bite allergy. Check out our <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/natural-flea-control-for-pets.html">Natural Flea Control for Pets</a> page for more information. For food allergy, you are on the right track with what you are feeding her now: "<i>Since the 12th of June (about a month ago) I have fed Stella only raw chicken (minced chicken frames from the butcher), whole chicken frames, veggie pulp and a health booster supplement.</i>" If a food allergy is her main problem, veterinary dermatologists advise continuing the 'restricted' or hypoallergenic diet for at least 3-6 weeks, to see if there is a response. Since you mentioned that she has partially improved, you must continue longer. <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-skin-allergies.html#atopy">Dog Atopy, or inhaled allergies</a>, are due to genetic predispositions, and certain breeds of dogs are affected worse than others. Boxers are known for their poor immune system and high susceptibility to <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/canine-tumors.html">dog cancer and tumors</a>. If she received numerous vaccinations at 3-4 months of age, and that is when the ear 'infection' appeared with inflammation under her armpits, I would suspect the vaccines triggered or stressed her immune system at that time. Then when she was spayed at 6 months (another big stress on the immune system, and surgery will also suppress the immune system), she started with licking her feet, a big symptom of atopy. The redness, swelling and pimples are due to the secondary bacteria that are causing the problem to worsen. The bacteria did not start her skin problem, her susceptibility to allergies started and then the bacteria invaded later. (Continued below...)

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My Online Vet Response Continued for Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

(Continued from above: Part 2 of Question Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck)

Even though her skin does not smell and looks OK, she needs to be bathed to remove this secondary bacteria. A once a week shampoo using an oatmeal/aloe dog shampoo would be fine. And in between, shampoo under her neck every 2-3 days since the bacteria in her toenails will transmit to the skin under her neck as she traumatizes her skin by scratching.

I would also suggest taking a fecal exam every 3 to 6 months to see if she even needs to be dewormed. Do not automatically deworm her monthly.

For heartworm prevention, I suggest giving it every 45 days, not every 30 days. She will still receive the protection. Also, if the heartworm prevention is of the chewable nature, be very cautious of the 'food' additive added to it. Dogs have been known to be allergic to the food additive.

Finally, make sure that your veterinarian does a skin scraping to rule out mites (dog mange).

Finding a holistic veterinarian is of paramount importance to address the vaccinosis issue in your pup. This way you are going for the 'root' of the problem to correct the imbalance in her 'vital force'. Classical dog homeopathy would be the best treatment plan (that page will also show you how to find a homeopathic veterinarian in your area).

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

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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(Continued from above: Part 2 of Question Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck) Even though her skin does not smell and looks OK, she needs to be bathed to remove this secondary bacteria. A once a week shampoo using an <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-skin-conditions.html#properskincare">oatmeal/aloe dog shampoo</a> would be fine. And in between, shampoo under her neck every 2-3 days since the bacteria in her toenails will transmit to the skin under her neck as she traumatizes her skin by scratching. I would also suggest taking a fecal exam every 3 to 6 months to see if she even needs to be dewormed. Do not automatically deworm her monthly. For heartworm prevention, I suggest giving it every 45 days, not every 30 days. She will still receive the protection. Also, if the heartworm prevention is of the chewable nature, be very cautious of the 'food' additive added to it. Dogs have been known to be allergic to the food additive. Finally, make sure that your veterinarian does a skin scraping to rule out mites (<a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/how-to-treat-dog-mange.html">dog mange</a>). Finding a holistic veterinarian is of paramount importance to address the vaccinosis issue in your pup. This way you are going for the 'root' of the problem to correct the imbalance in her 'vital force'. <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/homeopathy-for-dog.html">Classical dog homeopathy</a> would be the best treatment plan (that page will also show you how to find a homeopathic veterinarian in your area). 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 DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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dog skin rash improved
by: Klaudia

Hi Dr. Tillman,

Thank you for the quick response. I have been busy and struggled to find time to reply to your message.

Firstly, I can already say my dog has improved - yay!

Upon reading your message, I made sure to rid my house and yard of fleas and also treated my dog in other ways using sprays and natural deterrents (found eucalyptus oil to be a good deterrent). I always thought my dog wouldn't have fleas but the more I thought about it and read I figured that I actually haven't considered all the areas where fleas could be present.

As soon as I started on the flea treatment, I saw improvements in my dog. The pimples have gone away and the hairs are finally growing back - this is so good to see after 6 months of constant redness on her neck.

My yard has a few dirty/sandy spots which I've also sprayed with flea deterrent (+ IGR), as she digs in those and I have a feeling she gets flea bites or other issues from that (including her licking on toes).

Since it is winter now (in Australia), I'm cautious as to whether her sudden improvement could be incidental with low flea presence in the environment. I will need to monitor this and keep up the flea control to see if there are any changes again.

Regarding the diet, I have followed your suggestion to keep going for now. I have kept feeding the human-grade chicken and found it to be no issue. As soon as her neck is fully back to normal I'm planning to introduce some beef and see her reaction to this. I have a feeling the beef is not good for her but I will find out.

In terms of worming protection, I've contacted the manufacturer of the product and found out the tasty chews are flavoured with dried beef and bacon. Fortunately, the manufacturer offered some alternative products which do not contain any flavours.

I often check my dog's poo as I pick it up in the yard or on walks, and haven't seen any worms.
I will follow your advice and give the worming treatment every 45 days instead.

Now I have one new question for you:

1. My pup weighs 23kg and being a Boxer she's quite active. How much food would you say she needs? I feed her roughly 0.5kg - 0.8kg per day (raw chicken frames minced up, human grade).

Regards,
Klaudia

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Submitted by: Klaudia

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Hi Dr. Tillman, Thank you for the quick response. I have been busy and struggled to find time to reply to your message. Firstly, I can already say my dog has improved - yay! Upon reading your message, I made sure to rid my house and yard of fleas and also treated my dog in other ways using sprays and natural deterrents (found eucalyptus oil to be a good deterrent). I always thought my dog wouldn't have fleas but the more I thought about it and read I figured that I actually haven't considered all the areas where fleas could be present. As soon as I started on the flea treatment, I saw improvements in my dog. The pimples have gone away and the hairs are finally growing back - this is so good to see after 6 months of constant redness on her neck. My yard has a few dirty/sandy spots which I've also sprayed with flea deterrent (+ IGR), as she digs in those and I have a feeling she gets flea bites or other issues from that (including her licking on toes). Since it is winter now (in Australia), I'm cautious as to whether her sudden improvement could be incidental with low flea presence in the environment. I will need to monitor this and keep up the flea control to see if there are any changes again. Regarding the diet, I have followed your suggestion to keep going for now. I have kept feeding the human-grade chicken and found it to be no issue. As soon as her neck is fully back to normal I'm planning to introduce some beef and see her reaction to this. I have a feeling the beef is not good for her but I will find out. In terms of worming protection, I've contacted the manufacturer of the product and found out the tasty chews are flavoured with dried beef and bacon. Fortunately, the manufacturer offered some alternative products which do not contain any flavours. I often check my dog's poo as I pick it up in the yard or on walks, and haven't seen any worms. I will follow your advice and give the worming treatment every 45 days instead. Now I have one new question for you: 1. My pup weighs 23kg and being a Boxer she's quite active. How much food would you say she needs? I feed her roughly 0.5kg - 0.8kg per day (raw chicken frames minced up, human grade). Regards, Klaudia

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My Online Vet Response for Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck
by: Carol Jean Tillman DVM

Hi Klaudia,

Great question, and thank you for taking the time to fill in all of her long background history. It is not uncommon in this day and age, from too many vaccinations, our polluted environment, contamination in crops, poor genetics from over-breeding, etc. that veterinarians are seeing 'chronic' illness in younger and younger patients.In homeopathic terminology, your pup has what Dr. Hahnemann, (the founder of Homeopathic Medicine), would call, Psora. It is one of the three Miasms, characterized by itching, eruptions on the skin, ear inflammation, and scratching of the extremities.

From the photos you submitted, she has secondary bacterial infection, (that is what is causing the pimples to appear), the ventral distribution of all of her lesions, (under chin, neck, chest/armpits, abdomen, feet), mean she has a contact allergy. She is allergic to something she is laying on either in the house or the yard or in the car.

Also, with the ear, feet and genital inflammation and itching, she probably has a food allergy, too. Dogs with contact and food allergy, often will be susceptible to inhalation allergy, (atopy) and flea allergy. For the food allergy, you are on the right track with the 'elimination' diet of only raw chicken and bone. It will take a minimum of 3-6 weeks to see obvious improvement, usually about 2 months. Once she is not itching as much, you can start to introduce some other foods into her diet, to make it a little more balanced. Dr. Richard Pitcairn has an excellent book, Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, with recipes, (including hypo-allergenic recipes).

To give her some relief in the meantime, and to reduce the bacteria on her skin,(every time she scratches herself, she is introducing more bacteria from her toenails into her skin), you should bathe her 1-2 times per week, with a mild oatmeal shampoo, like Epi-Soothe.

You can also use Rescue Remedy, diluted 10-20 drops to 4 oz of Spring water,(in a pump spray bottle), to spray onto her chin/neck area to calm down her skin. (It can also be given orally to calm her down if she is itching and frantically scratching through the night.) Make sure you give it to her diluted into her mouth, not straight from the bottle.

DO NOT give her any more vaccinations for the next 3 years if possible, or until she is back to normal.

Continue the natural flea and tick preventive, and consider covering her bed with a plain cotton sheet that is washed with a hypo-allergenic laundry detergent. (Provide the same thing for the car also.)

You did not mention if she had any skin scrapings done to rule out Demodectic Mange. You can also check out our page on dog skin conditions.

A holistic veterinarian would want to do a skin scraping, also.

To be continued in part 2.

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Submitted by: Carol Jean Tillman DVM

Title

Comment
Hi Klaudia, Great question, and thank you for taking the time to fill in all of her long background history. It is not uncommon in this day and age, from too many vaccinations, our polluted environment, contamination in crops, poor genetics from over-breeding, etc. that veterinarians are seeing 'chronic' illness in younger and younger patients.In homeopathic terminology, your pup has what Dr. Hahnemann, (the founder of Homeopathic Medicine), would call, Psora. It is one of the three Miasms, characterized by itching, eruptions on the skin, ear inflammation, and scratching of the extremities. From the photos you submitted, she has secondary bacterial infection, (that is what is causing the pimples to appear), the ventral distribution of all of her lesions, (under chin, neck, chest/armpits, abdomen, feet), mean she has a contact allergy. She is allergic to something she is laying on either in the house or the yard or in the car. Also, with the ear, feet and genital inflammation and itching, she probably has a food allergy, too. Dogs with contact and food allergy, often will be susceptible to inhalation allergy, (atopy) and flea allergy. For the food allergy, you are on the right track with the 'elimination' diet of only raw chicken and bone. It will take a minimum of 3-6 weeks to see obvious improvement, usually about 2 months. Once she is not itching as much, you can start to introduce some other foods into her diet, to make it a little more balanced. Dr. Richard Pitcairn has an excellent book, Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, with recipes, (including hypo-allergenic recipes). To give her some relief in the meantime, and to reduce the bacteria on her skin,(every time she scratches herself, she is introducing more bacteria from her toenails into her skin), you should bathe her 1-2 times per week, with a mild oatmeal shampoo, like Epi-Soothe. You can also use Rescue Remedy, diluted 10-20 drops to 4 oz of Spring water,(in a pump spray bottle), to spray onto her chin/neck area to calm down her skin. (It can also be given orally to calm her down if she is itching and frantically scratching through the night.) Make sure you give it to her diluted into her mouth, not straight from the bottle. DO NOT give her any more vaccinations for the next 3 years if possible, or until she is back to normal. Continue the natural flea and tick preventive, and consider covering her bed with a plain cotton sheet that is washed with a hypo-allergenic laundry detergent. (Provide the same thing for the car also.) You did not mention if she had any skin scrapings done to rule out <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/how-to-treat-dog-mange.html">Demodectic Mange</a>. You can also check out our page on <a href="http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-skin-conditions.html">dog skin conditions</a>. A holistic veterinarian would want to do a skin scraping, also. To be continued in part 2.

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Part 2 My Online Vet Response to Dog Skin Rash on mouth and neck
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

(continued from above)

Find a homeopathic veterinarian to start her on either Sulphur 12c or Thuya 12c. These are homeopathic remedies for Psora and Vaccinosis, respectively. To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

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

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

My Online Vet Response for Dog Skin Rash on Mouth and Neck
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Klaudia,

For an active athletic breed, such as a 50 lb Boxer dog, (23 Kg), you should feed her about 850 calories per day. It is best to divide it into two feedings of 425 calories twice a day. Now you need to figure out how many calories per chicken frame, and proceed from there.

As for examining her stool, and looking for worms, you will not find any worms in the stool. Worms live in the intestine, colon or cecum. If they are dead, they will be digested. Although, in some instances of acute severe vomiting, you may find round worms which may be vomited up. It is the microscopic eggs which are passed in the stool, and the only way to detect them is with a microscope. Take a stool sample in to the veterinarian to get her checked.

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

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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