Raw and leathery dog skin rash

Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for the photo and your list of all of your dog’s symptoms that have occurred over the past 2 months.

I will start by summarizing what you have listed, and add some suggestions along the way. Since she has not been under any ‘suppressive’ treatment such as steroids, antibiotics, etc. finding a homeopathic veterinarian would be the best place to start with her treatment. And she should respond fairly well. Also,I would suggest that you have a blood panel done to include her liver and kidney function, check for anemia, diabetes, and including a thyroid level, would be good, too.

It seems that overall the problem(s) started 2 months ago, one month after you started to give her some ‘inexpensive dog biscuits’. She has had itchy skin, licking and chewing so it turns red after licking, and the skin is very sensitive so she does not want you to touch her or come near her raw skin. Did she also get any vaccinations 4-6 weeks prior to the skin problems?

Sometimes using aloe vera ‘juice’ in a spray mister type of bottle, that you can spray on her, or small bottle with a spout that you can pour on to her red, thickened skin will help to calm down the skin and decrease the redness. If she licks it, it will be ok for her. Rescue Remedy is also good to use topically or orally. Make some up in a 2 oz dropper bottle, with 5 drops Rescue Remedy to 1 oz of Spring Water.

Giving her an oatmeal shampoo for dogs one time per week may help the overall itching/licking/chewing.

She had a bout of excessive eye discharge, but you did not mention if it was thick or thin discharge, or if it had a color, or if she was rubbing her eyes during this time. Then, last weekend, she vomited several times (vomiting is considered a discharge, also) over 48 hours. You did not say if she vomited food or water, if it was immediately after eating or 20 minutes after, or several hours after eating. All of these little details help to pin down the correct remedy, and show us the proper treatment/diagnosis of what we need to do.

CONTINUED ON PART 2 BELOW – DOG WITH RAW AND LEATHERY SKIN

PART TWO-Dog with Raw and Leathery Skin

So, now she has a rough, thick leathery area of skin in her armpit, VERY sensitive, and acts ‘defensive’ toward the area and does not want to be touched.

Antimonium crudum, Rhus tox, and Sepia are all remedies that might be useful for thickened skin especially if skin becomes thickened after scratching.

Nux vomica is the top remedy for irritability along with gastro-intestinal symptoms. Sulphur is the best remedy for itchy red skin, and also, reactions to vaccinations. As I mentioned earlier, in order to determine the right remedy, a holistic veterinarian will need to examine your dog, and discover her ‘constitution’ to see which remedy will fit the case.

While you are searching for a holistic veterinarian and getting a blood panel, she should be on a diet that has high moisture. No DRY dog food. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food options and scroll down to the raw food diets. If her blood panel is normal, then she could have Omega 3 fish oils for dogs about 1,000 mg two times daily. Omega 3 fats have a natural anti-inflammatory effect for the skin.

And NO DOG VACCINATIONS until she is normal. (Even then, I would worry that a vaccine may cause her to relapse!) It may have been an accumulation of the vaccines she has had during her lifetime, creating a syndrome called vaccinosis, or a recent vaccine that has finally pushed her system ‘too far’ and triggered these skin eruptions and discharges.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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 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

I also have the boxer rhodesian ridgeback mixed dog and he just started with a rash on the bottom of his tail and now surrounds his anus. I was wondering if Tiffany was able to clear up her dog’s rash and what she used. My dog had received a rattlesnake vaccine prior to his rash and prior to that he was on antibiotics for diarhea. So if Tiffany’s cure was successful I would like to try the same.

Hi Barbara,
Thank you for your interest in our website! Tiffany has not updated us with any progress reports, so I am not sure if her dog responded to treatment or not.

She may have gone on to consult with a holistic veterinarian, one that could examine her dog in ‘person’. Which might be something that would help your dog.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below
Find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

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.

Hey I could REALLY use some advice!!
Last summer (2011) my dog Sammy was scratching alot more then he normally does, then he kept getting yeast infections in his ears. We started taking him to the vet to get medicine to help his ears. About the 3rd time he got it I noticed that he was loosing hair at his armpit. Eventually over a few months his skin turned black and leathery. We call it the black spot cause it’s so noticeable and we’re movie crazies. Anyway, I’ve been taking him to the vet, they keep telling me he’s having a flea allergy, but I really don’t believe that’s really what’s wrong with him. I can’t afford to keep buying the meds they want him to be on and test for what allergies he has. His spot is now 5-6 inches long from his armpit down his side, another spot is beginning to show on his back leg.
He acts like how he normally does, I haven’t changed Anything in his food or places we’ve been to, he’s a Schnoodle (half poodle, half schnauzer), he’s 6 going on 7, doesn’t really notice about anyone talking about it cause he’s always showing it off like a boy with a new scar, but he does lick and scratch at it when i’m not looking, and I really am hoping nothing is wrong with him and can find a affordable cure for a college student.
Would really love for advice!
-Alexandra

Hi Alexandra,
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 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

Hi! I was wondering if you could help me and my dog. We recently got back from a two week holiday and left our 3 year old Labrador at her brothers owners house. When we came back, I noticed that she seemed to be licking and itching her left (her right as well, but not as much) and biting her fur a lot. I looked under her left armpit and it was all rough and leathery and a dark browny colour. I’m really worried about her and it would be great if you could help me. Thank you so much!

October 8, 2014

Dear Anonymous,

Re: Armpit rash:

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 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