Red dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair

by Wei Ling
(Singapore)

Red dots with hair loss area

My dog has a skin problem including red dots, a black scaly-like bald patch under her armpit and an oily sweat-like feel on her skin.

She is a 4-year-old Shih Tzu is allergic to dustmite and pollen and is currently under immunotherapy. My vet put her a low dosage of Prenisolone (quarter tablet every alternate day) which I try not to give to her.

RED DOTS

Once every half an year or so, she has an outbreak of such red small pimple like growth usually on her armpit or bottom. I took her to the vet one month ago as I was unable to control the spread and she was scratching quite badly. However, this round, even after a round of antibotics, the red dots did not clear.

These red dots are not apparent all the time. After an oatmeal bath or a wipe with baking soda solution, the red dots are less obvious and she is more relax and comfortable. But once she start scratching, they swell and spread. She has been scratching, resulting in hair loss on her side.

I tried to change her diet two weeks ago to eliminate the possibility of food allergy, from homecooked chicken, oat, brown rice, egg, carrot and celery which she has been taking for the last half a year or so, to homecooked fish and potato. But the red dots doesnt seem to clear.

BLACK SCALY LIKE AREA UNDER HER ARMPIT

Due to her excessive scratching, her hair around the armpit area, on her feet and her underside has been relatively thin. The hair on her feet, side and even around her eyes do grow back (still thin though) but there is this area under her armpit that has black pigmentation forming cell like shape that doesnt grow much hair. I do not know whether it is because she still does scratch the area or are the skin permanently damaged. How can I speed up the growth of her hair after her outbreak is solved?

OILY (SWEAT-LIKE) FEEL ON SKIN

In addition to the above, the area under the armpit also produce excessive oil. I live in Singapore where is is relatively humid and hot whole year round. It feels like she sweat a lot under her armpit and this made her smell. She smells one day after bathing her. I occasionally bathe her with vet recommended shampoo with Chlorhexidine gluconate and Miconazole nitrate. Is her skin considered oily or dry? Should I bathe her with Oatmeal Shampoo for dry skin? Would Neem shampoo for pets work?

Why is she producing excessive oil and how can I resolve this?

Please do help as there is no holistic vet in Singapore and I really do not want to put my Shih Tzu on lots of medication.

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Feb 21, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
You have posted quite the challenge! Since you live in an area where there are NO holistic veterinarians, I will have to advise you from what you can tell me and the photos that you send!

From these present photos that you have sent of your dog's skin, she does not look like she has pimples. It looks like she has an increase in black pigment that is slowly covering the normal pinkness of her skin. And there is little to no hair in these areas.

The increase in black pigment occurs due to the chronic inflammation, and itching. This is reversible.

Her loss of hair is also due to chronic inflammation, and this is also reversible.

Dogs do not have sweat glands, but due to the chronic inflammation, loss of normal skin function and the location in the skin fold of her armpit, she has discharge from the skin. In the skin fold area, it traps bacteria and yeast and creates a foul odor.

The inflammation (her allergy to dust mites and pollen) is only one symptom of the imbalance in her health. In some cases the initial cause to 'disrupt' her vital force may have been due to vaccinations, or may be due to heredity, or may be due to exposure to toxins such as flea or tick products or drugs such as prednisone (steroids) which have suppressed her symptoms and her immune system.

In order to treat her holistically, I would like to learn more about her. Her personality, her likes and dislikes, any other health issues, especially when she was a puppy and her vaccination history.

Did the skin itching start after a vaccination? Did she have some other problem after a vaccination, then the problem was 'suppressed' with conventional drugs, and after this happened she started to itch?

It would be important to also know if she tends to be chilly, or hot. Any temperature preference?

Is she friendly, outgoing and eager to meet people and other dogs? Or, is she suspicious, shy, fearful of strangers or new places?

Is she thirsty? Does she drink little sips of water frequently or stand at the water bowl and drink for 5 minutes? Does she prefer cold foods or liquids, or like to have her food warmed?

In the meantime, I would use the oatmeal shampoo for dogs to treat her itchy skin. Bathe her 2 times per week. Avoid shampoos that dry her skin (like the Miconazole nitrate, and chlorhexidine gluconate). These will cause her to be more itchy.

Use aloe vera juice (the kind that you can drink) in her armpit area. You can apply it with a damp cloth or put some into a spray pump bottle and spray it onto her skin. Neem shampoo for dogs is usually for infected skin, not allergic skin.

(Continued below in Part 2 - Red Dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair.)

Feb 21, 2011

PART 2 My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

(continued from above)

For her diet, see if you can access Dr. Pitcairn's book, Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. He has several recipes for dogs with allergies. The recipes are balanced to include the proper ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous.

He recommends raw meat (no raw pork or raw fish), in the diet. The raw meat contains Vitamin C. Since she has had her immune system suppressed, she is not producing enough of her own Vitamin C. (Only humans, monkeys, guinea pigs and the fruit bat do not produce Vitamin C. We need to have it in our diet every day)

If you were to add Vitamin C to her diet, it will need to be buffered Vitamin C, NOT ascorbic acid. If she gets it in her raw meat, it will be absorbed naturally.

Also, she should have some Omega 3 fish oils added to her diet. Approximately 250 mg per day to begin, and then 250 mg two times daily. Omega 3 fish oils can act as a natural anti-inflammatory.

To adjust the diet she was on for 6 months, you could feed the chicken raw, eliminate the grains in her diet, continue the cooked carrots and add cooked green beans. Then find a source of Calcium such as Standard Process Calcium Lactate powder to add to her food. Dr. Pitcairn's book contains the recipes with how much to add and mix together.

There are several homeopathic remedies that are good for itchy skin. But I would not be able to prescribe one since I need to have more information about her.
1. Lachesis is for black pigmented skin, and suspicious personality, quick to bite or scratch if they feel threatened.
2. Sulphur is for itchy, red skin, very hot, and likes to be in a cool place but does not like to be bathed. And is a very picky eater.
3. Graphites is for thickened skin folds, very itchy, but feels sluggish and has no energy. And good appetite.
4. Arsenicum is for very red, hot, burning skin, but they are very chilly and want to be covered up all the time. Also, they are thirsty and want to drink frequently small sips of water.

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.

Feb 22, 2011

More about my Shih Tzu
by: Anonymous

Dear Vet,

I cannot thank you enough for spending time to analyse and reply to my questions.

Health history...
My dog didn't have major health issues til about 1 year plus when she start to have hot spots and outbreaks of red dots all over her body that makes her itch quite badly. This kept coming back every few months. Every time we go to the vet, she will take one round of antibiotics together with antihistamine. She was then referred for a allercept and blood test when she was about 2 years old. The result is that she is allergic to pollen and dust mites.

She was supposed to start her immunotherapy. But due to my mistake, I injected 0.1 ml every 3 weeks instead of 1 ml. I only realised that last July and started injecting the right amount. She was placed on Prenisolence since she was suppose to start immunotherapy which was 2 years ago. I try not to give it to her unless she is itchy. Til tody, she took a total of about 40 tablets.

Her vaccination history..
Previously when I injected only 0.1ml, I didn't see a difference in her behaviour. For the past few months, the next day after I gave her the vaccination, she would feel uncomfortable and lethargic. She would behave as if her body is very stiff and she is not very comfortable and would lie down a lot.

After about one day, she would scratch all over her body instead of on a specific spot. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say she is 6 for itchiness. On a normal day, her itchiness if 4. However, I do observe that this half a year, she scratches less. But couldn't pinpoint that to the immunotherapy as I did quite a few other stuff such as changing her diet and sunning her bed more often.

Feb 22, 2011

more about my shih tzu part 2
by: Wei Ling

Her personality...
She is super friendly towards all people. Everyone that she sees, she'll run over, flip over to ask for a tummy rub. She?ll bring her toy to any stranger asking him or her to play with her.

She doesn't bark much, only when she hears weird noises. In fact, she forgets about her itch when she starts playing. She is not an active dog though. Most of the time, she will be lying around sleeping. But she is always alert and react immediately to any actions of mine.

She doesn't like other dogs though due to an incident when she was about two when a dog barked and pounced on her. When I bring her to dog parks, she is very tense and timid and drolls non-stop.

Temperature preference...
She loves air-conditioning. She scratches less when we have the air-con on. She loves to sleep in front of the fan or at the window where the wind blows directly on her. At such times, she doesn't smell. Her skin is always feels warm to touch.

Food...
After I switched to a home-cooked diet, she hardly drinks any water during the day. She has her meals once a day and a little dog milk in the morning. I started giving her some milk a year ago to make her gain some weight. She is not underweight but towards the thin side. Should I continue with that?

She refuses to eat commercially prepared dog food or tidbits. Other than that, she gobbles down everything and anything from cold yoghurt, ice cold banana to warm food. I bake oat-peanut butter cookies for her for snacks (if no grain, this have to stop too).

I'm currently adding Calcium and Collagen powder into her food. I'll also continue with Epi-Soothe Oatmeal shampoo then. I'll try to get hold of the book online and start her on Vitamin C and Fish Oil. I can easily buy or pluck Aloe Vera leaves in the Singapore. So will start applying that on her.

Really, thank you for your time.

Feb 22, 2011

More about my Shih Tzu part 3
by: Wei Ling

One more thing might be useful. Every time I take her in for grooming, I have to watch her for the next two days to prevent her from scratching with her freshly cut nails, otherwise she would scratch until her bottom bled or got inflamed. One time I had to rush her to ER the midnight after her grooming because her bottom swelled to about one cm thick.

She has super sensitive skin. The current groomer knows her condition and is very careful. But her skin is very very sensitive.

Feb 23, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
Thank you for all of the information! By the way, what is your dog's name? Is she spayed?

Let me see if I have all of this right: I will attempt to condense all of her medical history, please correct me if I am not accurate.

2008 - at one year of age, or slightly older, AFTER her puppy vaccinations, she started itching and scratching and developed hot spots. She needed treatment to suppress the symptoms.

2009 - At 2 years old, she had the allergy test done and discovered she had allergies to dustmites and pollen. More suppression of symptoms, with the injections of antigens and starting with low doses of Prednisolone. (5 mg every other day)

Also, in 2009, she was attacked by another dog, and she has never been the same since. Every time she goes to a dog park She is tense, timid and drools all of the time. Otherwise she is friendly and affectionate toward people.

With each vaccination she now gets, she is stiff and uncomfortable and wants to lie down the first day afterwards, and the second day she will scratch all over her body.

Temperature: she is HOT, loves to be cool and she is better when she is cool.

Food: Home prepared diet that includes dog milk, and yogurt, plus baked ?dog cookies? with grains.

Also, her skin is very sensitive, or perhaps too thin (?) and will bleed after she scratches it, especially worse after a bath.

Continued in Part 2.

Feb 23, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Part 2 answers to additional questions for Red dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

(continued from above)

My suggestions:

1. NO MORE Dog Vaccinations. Space out the Rabies vaccination for 3 years, and do not give her any vaccination while she is under homeopathic care for at least one year.

2. Give one dose of Thuya 30c. This is a homeopathic remedy that can be ordered from homeopathic pharmacies, on-line, or is available at Health food stores (if you have those in Singapore).

3. Start her on Antronex from Standard Process. (can be ordered on line). This is a liver supplement, and also acts like an anti-histamine. She will need one tablet two times daily, in her food.

4. Start her on milk thistle, 8 mg per lb, two times daily. (If you are not sure how to calculate this, let me know how much she weighs.) This is another liver supplement to repair liver tissue from the prednisolone. (If you get the capsule form, you can open the capsule and sprinkle it into her food.)

5. NO more dairy products and eliminate the grains in her diet.

6. For treats, she can have fruits or vegetables, apples, bananas, cantaloupes, carrots (cooked or raw). In her meals, include, steamed or cooked peas, zucchini, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, yams or sweet potatoes. NO tomatoes, No onions, NO citrus fruits, no berries.

7. She can have raw chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb. NO RAW pork or fish.

8. Fish oils, peanut butter or almond butter is ok.

9. Continue the calcium and collagen supplements.
I would also recommend a blood panel to check her liver enzymes, and also include kidney enzymes, blood glucose, calcium and phosphorus levels, CBC and thyroid.

Notify me the date she takes the one dose of Thuya 30c.

Once she has been on her supplements and has had the dose of Thuya 30c, we will discuss decreasing the dose of prednisolone.

Use RESCUE REMEDY, diluted 10 drops in 2 oz of Spring Water, to give her when she goes to the dog park. She can have several drops in her mouth as needed every 15 minutes to calm her. (Give some before you leave for the park, once at the partk and as needed.) Rescue Remedy can also be applied to those areas of her skin that are red and itchy to help calm the skin down.

Rescue Remedy is a Bach Flower essence. It is available at Health food stores, or on-line.

ALSO, how does the rest of her body look? Her teeth? Her eyes (any drainage?), her ears, (any ear wax)? Her toenails? Is her heart ok? Any dog coughing, reverse sneezing, hiccups, dog flatulence?

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.

Feb 25, 2011

Further Information
by: Wei Ling

Hi Dr Tillman,

My dog is called Xuan Xuan (graceful in Chinese). She was spayed when she was 8 months old.

You've outlined her background and history quite accurately. Just to further clarify:
She doesn't like bathing but she feels better after a bath. I think she is sensitive to shaving rather than bathing. She usually doesn't scratch until it bleeds (other than that one time with the groomer).

Her hair around her tail area and on her tail is quite dense. She has very little hair around her eyes because she rubs them. Not much discharge from her eyes. She has some sticky mucus once in a while usually after she has slept for a long time. The front of her neck and chest area has thin hair due to excess scratching.

Her ears don't produce much ear wax. She had a dog ear infection only once when she was about 4 months old. Other than that no problem at all. I washed her ears every other week.

I trim my dog's nails every month. I don't know whether the growth rate is normal. If it is not trimmed for two months, her baby toe will curl and may cut her paw pad.

Her heart is ok I assume. No coughing, reverse sneezing, hiccups or flatulence.

Just some clarification:

It is difficult to get organic meat in Singapore. Is it safe to give her non-organic meat raw? So I'll go on a 70% meat and 30% veggie diet?

In additon to 1-9, must I still give her fish oil supplement? She is not on her prednisolone now.

I've ordered "Boiron - Thuja Occidentalis 30c, 80 pellets" but how much is one dosage? 3-6 pallet? Its a one off a dosage? Will keep you inform once I'll administer the first dosage after the goods are shipped to me.

Thanks for all your advise.

Feb 25, 2011

My Online Vet Response fo Red Dots under Dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
You continue to provide me with good information!

Homeopathic treatment for Xuan Xuan, is ONE dose of Thuya occidentalis 30c which is considered one pellet.

You are not supposed to touch the pellets with your fingers. The way the Boiron container is made, you remove the cap, tip the container upside down, and turn the cylinder so that one pellet drops out into the cap. Then, 'pour' the pellet into her mouth. If she spits it out, you can dissolve one pellet in 1/2 oz of Spring Water or filtered water, then with an eye dropper give her some of the water. You do not have to give her all of it.

Non-organic raw meat would be fine. Make sure it is not raw pork or raw fish. The ratio should be about 50% meat to 50% vegetable. And include the calcium and collagen supplements.

Also, it would be good to add in Omega 3 fish oils, about 250-500 mg daily to her food.

Just curious regarding the ear infection she had at 4 months of age, did it occur after a vaccination was given?

Ok, notify me of the date you give the dose of Thuya occidentalis 30c. Then, we monitor her over the next 3 weeks to see how she is doing. If possible, only give her a dose of the prednisolone for an 'emergency' if she has severe itching. Conventional drugs will interfere with the action of the homeopathic remedy. But in some cases, there may be an 'aggravation' where she may get WORSE before she gets better, and I do not want her to suffer!

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.

Feb 26, 2011

Ear Infection
by: Wei Ling

Hi Dr Carol,

The vet says she had an ear infection when we brought her for her 3rd vaccination. In Singapore, they usually have 3 vaccinations in the first few months of life. She probably had ear infection when I got her.

Pardon me for the long clarification and thank your for your patience. I'm transiting her to a raw food diet now while waiting for my online orders to come. Will keep you updated.

Feb 27, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's Armpit area with black scaly skin/Ear Infection
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
Thank you for the information about Xuan Xuan's ear infection.

I am very suspicious that vaccinations may have also been a contributing factor.

Keep us updated as you go.

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.

Mar 09, 2011

Blood Test Results and Updates
by: Wei Ling

Dear Dr. Tillman,

I'll be receiving my Thuja tomorrow and administering the dosage to my dog tomorrow. But I have some worries.

Two weeks ago, I fasted my dog for 3 days on a vegetable juice diet before I started on a raw food diet (chicken w/ veggies). During the 3 days of fasting, she was extremely itchy and had lots of dandruff in all parts of her body.

Even after being placed on raw natural dog food diet for slightly more than a week, she seems to shed more hair and scratch more, though no more dandruff. Her side is almost hairless now.

These two weeks, her skin has been very red and she is very tired. She doesn't even really enjoy her walk.

Her blood test results:
ALB = 3.3g/dL
ALKP= 43 U/L
ALT = 10 U/L
AMYL= 701 U/L
Ca = 8.7 mg/dL
CHOL= 107 mg/dL
CREA= 0.7 mg/dL
GLU = 85 mg/dL
PHOS= 3.3 mg/dL
TBIL= 0.1 mg/dL
TP = 7.7 g/dL
BUN = 28 mg/dL
GLOB= 4.4 g/dL

T4 = 18 nmol/L

WBC =10.67 m/mm3
Lym = 36.4% 3.9#
Mon = 4.0% 0.4#
Neu = 58.3% 6.2#
Eo = 1.2% 0.1#
Ba = 0.1%

RBC = 6.78 m/mm3
MCV = 70.7 fl
Hct = 47.9%
MCH = 23.0 pg
MCHC= 32.5 g/dL
RDW = 8.5
RRg = 12.4
Hb =15.6 g/dL

THR = 427 m/mm3
MPV = 6.6 fl
Pct = 0.28%
PDW = 8.9

She is currently on calcium, salmon oil, vitamin C, milk thistle. The Anatronex will be delivered together with Thuja tomorrow.

I'm quite worried whether this transition stage will she get worse as her Eo is extremely low, will she be able to fight her skin allergy?

I'll keep you updated after she has taken her Thuja. Thanks a million.

Mar 10, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's Armpit...Ongoing Case
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,

I would NOT give Xuan Xuan any of the homeopathic remedy, Thuya, at this time.

I think that the Vegetable juice fast may have been too much for her system, as she now has a worsening of her symptoms, with low energy, more itching and hair loss.

You will have to continue her on some of her cooked food, continue all of her supplements, and include the Antronex tablets. These will act as an 'anti-histamine' to help decrease some of the itching.

After she gets a little stronger, then start to add in some of the raw meat to her cooked food. I would not repeat the vegetable juice fast. At this stage, she NEEDS protein to help her heal and maintain skin integrity, strengthen her immune system, and to grow hair.

Her blood panel results look GREAT!

In the meantime, you may need to bathe her twice a week to soothe her skin. Before the bath, use coconut oil to massage into her skin, and let it soak in for 2-3 hours (or longer) before using the shampoo to wash it off.

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.

Mar 10, 2011

Thuja adminstered
by: Wei Ling

Opps! I have given her the thuja an hour ago! I'll give her cook food and antronex. Will keep u updated about her condition.

Mar 13, 2011

My Online Vet Response to Red Dots under Dogs' armpit are with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,

How is she doing now? I hope with the addition of some cooked food back into her diet that she is getting stronger.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Mar 13, 2011

3 Days after Thuja
by: Wei Ling

Dear Dr Tilman,

Today is Sunday in Singapore. I gave her thuja on thursday.

Xuan Xuan has definitely been more energetic and happy these last few days. She is back to her bubbly self and has good appetite.

However, she is still itchy - about the same level as before I changed her diet, but better than the last 2 weeks. Just an hour ago, she scratched a small area on her side quite badly too.

I'll be taking her to the groomer on Tuesday as I am on leave and will be able to monitor and make sure she doesn't scratch herself too badly after grooming. Cutting her hair shorter makes it easier for me to apply aloe vera and coconut oil too.

Will keep updating her condition and please advise me on what to do next.

Really thanks for all your help.

Mar 13, 2011

Continue..
by: Wei Ling

Just to add, this last few days her skin is significantly less pinkish than the last 2 weeks. Quite an obvious change that I see.

Mar 14, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly skin
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
What you have described so far sounds like there has been some improvement. She has more energy and overall less redness in skin, in spite of this recent incident of scratching a raw spot in her skin.

Homeopathic remedies will produce a very subtle effect as they start the healing process. According to Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the Organon 6th Edition (he created homeopathy in the 1700's. Since he was an M.D. he worked on human patients, but the treatment of disease works the same on animals!), he says in Paragraph 253, "the patient will demonstrate a greater degree of comfort, increasing composure, freedom of spirit, increased courage--a kind of returning naturalness."

So, at this point, 4 days after the dose of Thuya 30c, we will wait another 2-3 weeks and observe her response to the remedy. In some cases a 30c potency may need to be repeated in 1 week, sometimes 3 weeks, sometimes 3 months! It just depends on how Xuan Xuan is progressing.

I would continue on the same food for another week. Then gradually decrease the cooked and increase the raw portion very slowly over 2-3 weeks. Continue all of her supplements, and start the Antronex. Give her 1 tablet in her food, or by mouth two times daily.

She may need to continue with the oil massage and bath TWO times per week if she still has times of intense scratching. If her itching subsides, then only bathe her one time per week. Apply the Aloe vera juice as needed to her irritated skin.

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.

Mar 16, 2011

Condition after Grooming
by: Wei Ling

Dear Dr Tilman,

I took Xuan Xuan in for grooming yesterday. But after grooming, she was extremely itchy. I had to constantly keep an eye on her to stop her from scratching. Any scratching with her freshly cut nails will cause the area to have dots of red blood.

I tried applying aloe vera and putting clothes on her which she doesn't like, and she ran away when she saw the bottle of aloe vera. She'll also try to get out of my sight to scratch herself.

She seems pretty depressed and is sleeping most of the time. She doesn't want to move much and doesn't respond much. Her eyelids are always half closed and she walks extremely slowly when she goes for a walk. She feels warm to the touch and curls herself up to sleep instead of lying sideways as she usually does. However, her appetite is still very good and she is always asking for food.

I'm at a loss on what to do and seeing her suffer like that. Usually, I will put her on Prednisone when she comes back from grooming which I don't feel like giving to her now. What else can I do?

Mar 17, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's Armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
The relapse in Xuan Xuan's condition after the grooming makes me think that she may be having a reaction to the shampoo they used. Or that they did not rinse out all of the shampoo. Do you know if they used an oatmeal shampoo? That would be the best to use for her with such itchy skin.

If you have some oatmeal shampoo for dogs or just a very mild baby shampoo (such as for human babies) please give her another shampoo, and rinse her very very well to make sure all of the shampoo has been rinsed off.

Tomorrow, you should do the coconut oil massage into her skin, and let it soak in for 2-3 hours, then give her another mild shampoo. (Although, you may have to lather, rinse and repeat to remove all of the oil.)

You can give up to 3 Antronex per day, which may also help with her itching.

Keep me posted on how she does.

Take care,
Dr. Tillman

Mar 18, 2011

Little red dots all over her body
by: Wei Ling

Dear Dr Tilman,

I massaged my dog with coconut oil this morning and bathed her thoroughly after 3 hours. But after drying her, she has little red dots all over the body.

She started scratching her sides til the red scratching lines swell and she licks the part that starts to bleed. But I immediately applied aloe vera juice throughout her body, put her on E-collar and she is much more comfortable and sleeping soundly.

It just dawned on me that she may have another allergy. I called up the vet to look up the record and these are things that she is allergic to - Dust mites, oil palm, queen palm, mosquito, moth, housefly. Some of these I never heard from the vet but the lady says there is no indication of the level of allergy on the record. Her jab packaging says : Blomio, DP, DF, TP (2ml each), Oil palm, Diluet (1ml).

Could she be allergic to coconut oil? (Oops, my carelessness may have caused her state now!)

On the morning before she went to the groomer, I applied coconut oil 2 hours before sending her. I brought my oatmeal shampoo to the groomer to use.

Mar 18, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly skin
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
You are working so hard to help Xuan Xuan, that is wonderful! If only so many other owners would be as conscientious as you!

I am not sure of the relationship between coconut oil and palm oil, especially when applied topically and not taken internally.

I suspect since she is off of Prednisone, and it is now 8 days post remedy, that she is showing the full symptoms of her disease quite nicely, with all of her itching, and scratching until she bleeds!

So, if her skin is not that dry at this time, only red and swollen, then NO coconut oil for the next 5 days. Ok to use oatmeal shampoo as needed 2 times per week, and the aloe vera juice applied topically and see how she does.

I would like to know how she is doing otherwise, besides her skin itching: energy level, appetite, stool ok? If the E-collar is working to prevent her from scratching, she may have to wear it more often over this next week.

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.

Mar 21, 2011

Hair growing fast, active but bad itch
by: Wei Ling

Hi Dr Tilman,

Just a quick update these last 4 days. The rate of growth of her hair has been amazing! I see little hair all over her bare area and within a week, her hair has grown at least 0.5cm. But some of the hair is golden! (Her hair are all black, grey and white) BUT due to her constant scratching, the hair growth looks patchy as she scratches off some her new hair too.

She has been super happy and active these 2 days although her itchiness is bad.

The itching is so bad that she scratched til her armpit bled and swelled (happened when I was not home to monitor her).

But the surprising thing was after bathing her with nothing applied, she stopped scratching then ran around happily and slept! (Previously if she bled, she will give me the suffering look on her face.)

Her life force is very strong. But the itch is still quite bad. One more thing, she doesn't smell as bad!

Mar 22, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red Dots under Dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
Now it is 3/21/11, 11 days since the remedy was given.

1. Increased hair growth, (golden now, but it will resume her 'normal' color once her itching/skin return to normal)--GOOD!

2. Less bad odor--GOOD!
3. Good energy--GOOD!
4. She is improved with a bath! GOOD!

But she is still ITCHING. This was the main complaint in the beginning, so it will be the LAST symptom to go away!

To help her cope as we wait for her body to improve and heal:
1. Make her wear a T-shirt when she cannot be monitored.
2. Shampoo her 2 times per week to make her skin feel better.
3. Continue all other supplements.
4. Report back in another 10 days, (three weeks post remedy), to evaluate her progress.

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.

Mar 29, 2011

21 days after administering of Thuja
by: Wei Ling

Dear Dr Tilman,

Xuan Xuan's condition for the past 10 days are about the same:

- High energy level, happy, good appetite, gaining weight and has become much more stout.
- Still very itchy and scratching quite badly. But not till the point of bleeding. Skin is still very pinkish

She is scratching quite badly causing her skin to ooze out transparent liquid and form scabs. Her dandruff-like scabs drops off from her damaged skin 2-3 days after she scratched the area. I can see scabs on my sofa and floor just a few hours after vacuuming. The whole cycle from scratching to recovery seems to be extremely fast.

There's hair growth on her bald area but its patchy due to her scratching. There are new areas that are bald like the back of the front limb, under her chin - areas that are not covered by t-shirt.

I'm still using Aloe Vera to smoothen her itch but she love the juice and start licking! But it does help.

Please advise on the next course of action.

Mar 29, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red dots under Dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
21 Days after dose of Thuya 30c, she has signs of improvement. With patchy regrowth of hair, not scratching until she bleeds, good energy, and good appetite, but the improvement seems to be tapering off.

Therefore, repeat ONE dose of the Thuya 30c. Continue all of the other supplements, diet, bathing and coconut oil massage.

Keep me posted in another 10 days on her progress, sooner if there are any problems.

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.

Apr 07, 2011

8 days after second dosage of thuja
by: Wei Ling

Hi Dr Tilman,

Xuan Xuan's condition has improved in some areas but her itch is still horrible.

New changes seen:
1. Her skin no longer has little red dots all the time (only when she scratches the area, big red dots can be seen in only that area)
2. Her skin is so white n not pinkish at all especially after a bath.
3. The black honeycomb shaped area under her armpit is reducing in size. The side is turning back to white skin.

Previous changes that we continue to see:
1. High life force
2. Silky smooth hair
3. Hair growing extremely fast but extremely patchy now due to intense scratching

Bad itch:
She has to wear t-shirt all the time. Without t-shirt, within half an hour, she'll have a bleeding patch. Everyday, some area of her body get scratched till it turned red with little dots of blood. The size differs from diameter of 1cm to 5cm. So her body is very patchy, some parts with 2 cm long hair, some parts totally bald and some parts with hard skin recovering from her recent scratching.

The parts that she scratch is really random now. In the past it's usually th armpit and underside. Now she scratches her limbs, entire tail, armpit, sides, undersides, ears, nose, eyes.. Everywhere!

But her itch doesn't seems to affect her mood which it previously does. She seems to be more agile this week, jumping up to places that she dare not previously and also more courageous.

Apr 09, 2011

My Online Vet Response for Red dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly skin
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
It has been 10 days, now since you gave the second dose of Thuya 30c.

All of Xuan Xuan's itching is now the 'aggravation' from the remedy action. Since her life force is strong, and she is 'feeling' good with good energy in spite of all of her itching and scratching.

Please be patient as she is trying to heal. Her system was suppressed for several years with the cortisone/prednisone and other drugs, it will take her at least 9 months to a year to slowly return to normal. I do not want her to suffer by scratching her skin so hard she is bleeding, therefore do what it takes with a shampoo, making her wear a T-shirt, putting little socks on her back feet, spraying her with Rescue Remedy, etc. to keep her somewhat comfortable.

In two weeks, send me another progress report. Also, see if you can find Thuya in 200c potency. I think that Xuan Xuan may need the higher potency, but it will depend on how she continues to respond to this second dose of 30c.

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: 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.

Click here for PART 2 - Red dots under dog's armpit with black scaly skin

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

Oct 20, 2011

Similar issues
by: Ruth

Hi,
From the posted photo's, I think my poodle-terrier (Yoyo) may have the same thing.

I am living in KL, Malaysia, so could this blackening of the pigmentation with red bumps on the underbelly be due to the humidity? Is there a name for this condition? The vets here have dismissed it as "hotspots".

Yoyo is a rescue from a puppy mill so her aged at best guess is between 5-7 years old. She is not itchy or scratching, she is energetic, but has recently been drinking more than usual.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Ruth

Oct 21, 2011

My Online Vet Repsonse for Red dots under dog's armpit area with black scaly looking skin without hair
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for your question. I'm happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
Please click here to sign up and submit your question and photos. I'll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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