Skin rash on both dogs

Hi Aleta,
The photo you submitted suggests that both Bear and Nala have superficial pyoderma. This is caused by bacteria in the skin, which then develops into an infection in the hair follicle, which forms a pimple that pops and creates the circular red raised lesions that you see.

If poison oak were the cause, I would expect the rash to be more diffuse and not so patchy, and also to cause them to itch and scratch. You did not mention if they were itching.

From the outdoors life that they are now enjoying, contact with water in ponds, dirt and damp soil and irritation of the skin from bushes, etc. would be the likely cause.

As they are siblings, they have similar immune systems, and that is why they have responded the same. Also, you have probably vaccinated them the same, and they are on the same diet and the same flea/tick/heartworm control.

To treat superficial pyoderma, a conventional veterinarian would start on antibiotics.
As a holistic veterinarian, I believe that you can treat by boosting the immune system, give homeopathic remedies, improve the diet, limit the vaccinations and use non-toxic flea and tick prevention.

Bathe them one to two times per week with a baby shampoo, rinse and dry well. You may need to limit their activity, so they are not disappearing into ‘parts unknown’ every day, and also curtail them from running through the brush for the next 2 weeks, at least until their skin has improved.

Check out our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options and especially look into the raw natural dog foods that are listed. Raw meat contains Vitamin C, which is destroyed by heat in cooking.

All dogs make their own vitamin C, so it is not added to dog food. If your dogs have a susceptibility to a bacterial skin infection due to a poor immune system, it may indicate that they are not making enough of their own Vitamin C. Therefore, adding raw meat to the diet (NOT raw PORK or raw FISH) will be very beneficial to their health.

They also need to have LESS dry food. The skin needs to have moisture provided from the moisture in the diet. A dry food diet, even if you add water, will not be the same thing. Incorporating a raw diet or adding some raw meat to the diet would be ideal for a healthy shiny hair coat.

Also, giving the minimal vaccinations possible would be healthier for both Bear and Nala. See our page regarding dog vaccines for more information.

(Continued on Skin Rash on both dogs-Part 2.)

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You were very lucky with your last dog if you continued with frequent vaccines, and he lived to be 16 years old!

Choosing more natural flea/tick products would also be better for their immune systems. See our page on Dog Flea Medicine for more info. And check out the product Wondercide, a safe flea/tick repellent made from Cedar.

Of course, diagnostic tests may be needed, such as skin scraping or fungus cultures which can be done by a holistic veterinarian.

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: 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

Why NOT raw PORK or raw FISH?

Hi Gina,
You wrote,
Why not raw pork or raw fish?

Because of the danger of trichinosis from raw pork and parasites, (flukes) from raw fish.

Other raw meats do not pose such a health risk for dogs or cats.

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.