Puppy Rash with Small Round Red Lumps

by Rachel
(Sydney Australia)

this is after we put some of the oatmeal shampoo on, it was alot redder before this

Soon after we got our puppy we noticed that he had a small rash on his stomach, small round red raised lumps approx 2mm in diameter and some had yellow pus type heads on them and were spaced about 10cm apart,but it didn't seem to bother him too much.

He is a 13 week old entire male Australian Bulldog puppy who we have had since he was 8 weeks old.

We went to the pet store and bought an oatmeal shampoo to try to get the inflammation down and it seemed to work, the pus went away and the rash was less red.

We took him to the vet at 12 weeks for his vaccinations and the vet said that the rash wasn't too bad and to wash him with a medicated shampoo called Malaseb (active ingredients 20g/L chlorhexidine gluconate and 20g/L miconazole nitrate)and to also apply the oatmeal shampoo afterwards to help stop the skin from dying out, but didn't give any conclusions as to what the rash was caused by.

We took him to the beach on Friday and he swam in the ocean and when we left he had to walk through some long grass and when we got home we noticed that the rash had spread and gotten 10 times worse than before, making us think that perhaps he had an allergy to grass.

Now the raised welts are really close together and very hot to the touch and are spread all over his chest, belly, and is creeping up his sides and he is also red on the muzzle. He is very lethargic and is constantly scratching and causing more inflammation. The pus type heads have not returned and there is not any hair loss and his ears and eyes don't seem affected, nor does he have any of the rash between his toes. His skin hasn't changed texture either.

His diet is the same as the breeder was feeding him, which is a mixture of cooked beef mince, oats, rice, honey, olive oil and Supercoat Puppy Dry food.

If he hasn't improved by tomorrow afternoon we will probably take him to the vet anyway but I'd appreciate another opinion.
Thanks

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Puppy Rash with Small Round Red Lumps

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My Online Vet Response for: Puppy Rash with Small Round Red Lumps
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Rachel,
Your new puppy has 'Superficial Puppy Pyoderma' caused by a bacterial infection in the hair follicles (Usually on the underside of the belly, because the skin has less hair and is less protected). Since there is normally bacteria found on the skin, this condition will be seen when a puppy is stressed and the immune system is weakened.

ADOPTION into a new home - which entails a change of environment, being taken away from his mother and litter mates

and

VACCINATIONS - which directly affect the immune system. These are the BIG emotional and physical stress factors at this time.

Also, at this age, between 8-14 weeks, brain development in a puppy is at a critical stage. This is a VERY important time for social and behavioral learning to occur, and will affect how he will relate to other people and dogs as an adult.

So, we must improve/boost his immune system, decrease anxiety, allow proper socialization and training to take place AND make sure his skin heals!

I suggest this plan:

1. NO MORE VACCINATIONS until his skin is completely healed. You did not mention if he was vaccinated by the breeder, or if he was vaccinated at 12 weeks (Just that he went in at 12 weeks WITH the skin problem, and was prescribed the medicated shampoo).

2. SHAMPOO with the oatmeal shampoo, EVERY day for the next 5 days, and use cool water. Rinse and dry well. Then 2 times per week for 2 weeks, then weekly for 2 weeks, or as needed to maintain a clean skin/hair coat.

3. Use the Malaseb shampoo ONE time per week, for the next 3-4 weeks.

4. NO SWIMMING in the ocean or walking in dog parks or tall grass until he has had a vaccination AFTER 16 weeks of age (AND ONLY if his skin is normal). You CAN take him to friends' houses with their healthy dogs, to training classes with healthy dogs, and friends can come to your house so he can continue with his socialization.

5. NO DRY DOG FOOD for 7-10 days. He needs LOTS of moisture in his diet to help his skin heal. Continue the cooked beef, and/or cooked turkey, and add in some steamed green beans and carrots. (50% meat and 50% vegetables) NO GRAIN, NO HONEY. Substitute Omega 3 fish oils (about 250-500 mg two times daily) for the olive oil.

After the 7-10 days, you can add in some canned puppy food that has similar ingredients to the DRY puppy food you were feeding. You might wish to check our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options, with information on RAW diets.

6. Rescue Remedy (a Bach flower essence) and Honeysuckle, 2-3 drops each, added to his drinking water two times daily for the next 3 weeks. Rescue Remedy is for anxiety and honeysuckle is for homesickness.

TO BE CONTINUED PART TWO

My Online Vet Response for: Puppy Rash with Small Round Red Lumps PART TWO
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Rachel,
Here is the rest of my response.

If he is still depressed and lethargic tomorrow, and if the skin is continuing to worsen, he may be running a fever. Your veterinarian may need to prescribe antibiotics.

If so, then your puppy will need to ALSO take some acidophilus
which can be added to his food (Since the antibiotics will kill ALL the bacteria, both on his skin and in his GI tract. You will need to replenish the beneficial bacteria during this time, and for 1-2 weeks after).

If you wish to monitor his temperature, be aware that the NORMAL DOG temperature is 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit. If his temp is OVER 103-104 degrees, then he will definitely need to go in for antibiotics.

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

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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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.

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

Puppy Rash
by: Rachel

Edgar's rash is alot less red today, he is brighter and much more responsive.

He hadn't gone off his food at all, and when we were feeding the dry food we were actually soaking it in warm water first so that it was moist, not feeding it to him dry.

The breeder had taken him for a vaccination at 8 weeks, which was approx 6 days before he came to us, and when he arrived he did not have any rash.
We will be keeping up with your suggestions for the washing regime, and if things get worse again we will be heading to the vet.

Thank you so much for your time.
xxx

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