Sofia

[Wholey4]

Hello. I am a first time poster with a health related question. I have a beautiful 18 month old FBD named Sofia. She has for the past six months had a rash problem on her belly which has gone away and came back just about every week. The vet so far has prescribed both dog and peoples version of benadryl, temari p which is a steroid. The temari only helped for a few days, then the rash would come back. The vet also prescribed apoquel, which did not work. Also, I am leery of using any type of steroid.

We have bought the shampoo and given her a bath at least once per week.
Please look at the picture and let me know what else we can do to make her feel better.
Thanks!

 

[Cbrugs]

Welcome to you and Sofia! Sorry you are going through this.

The most important thing to do would be to figure out what is causing the rash. It looks like it could be some sort of contact allergy. What is she eating? Does she run around in the grass? My guy is allergic to everything green outside (grass, trees, weeds, etc.). It could be something she is coming in contact with in the house. An allergy test might be a good idea.

In the meantime, I would bathe her twice a week with a medicated shampoo like Ketohex or Chlorohexidine. You can also wipe her down daily with a medicated wipe like Duoxo. Another thing would be to rub some coconut oil on her. If you have a shirt you can put on her, that might help as well if it is a contact allergy.

So while there are things you can do that will help, finding out the cause will be imperative.

 

[Wholey4]

Thanks for the tips. The only true way of finding out is with the allergy test correct?

 

[Cbrugs]

Thanks for the tips. The only true way of finding out is with the allergy test correct?

For food issues you can do an elimination diet. For environmental issues you can probably see if you can figure out what she’s coming in contact with and seeing if the rash gets worse.

But the quickest and most efficient way would be allergy testing.


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[Alice Kable]

Poor Sofia, that rash must be annoying. I'd get her to a dermatologist or a teaching vet. hospital to get a work-up. I know food allergy tests have some false positives, but they really narrowed down what foods a couple of our English Bulldogs were allergic to.

 

[2bullymama]

Thanks for the tips. The only true way of finding out is with the allergy test correct?

I agree with Citty and Alice... it looks like contact allergy? does she have any other issues... ears, face or paws? Ask your vet about cytopoit shots, if it is environmental you will see some results. But, if it is food related the shots or pills do not help.

 

[Wholey4]

Thanks for the advice. The rash is only on her bottom. Not anywhere else which is good.
I am going to take her in for an allergy test.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Welcome! Good luck with the test, I hope they're able to figure it out.

 

[Wholey4]

Quick update. Before my vet visit on Thursday, I thought of something that worked with my old puppy. I put her in a coat that covers part of her stomach. I did this mainly for when she goes outside and rubs herself in the grass. Knock on wood, the rash is just about gone. I will still keep the appt., but something tells me she is allergic to the chemicals in the grass

 

[Cbrugs]

Quick update. Before my vet visit on Thursday, I thought of something that worked with my old puppy. I put her in a coat that covers part of her stomach. I did this mainly for when she goes outside and rubs herself in the grass. Knock on wood, the rash is just about gone. I will still keep the appt., but something tells me she is allergic to the chemicals in the grass

She very well might be allergic to the actual grass. My boy is.

 

[Wholey4]

Wow. Where do you let the dog go to the bathroom outside?
Concrete?

 

[Cbrugs]

Wow. Where do you let the dog go to the bathroom outside?
Concrete?

No, he uses the grass. He gets the Cytopoint injection and I just have to bathe him weekly and use wipes to wipe him down.