Rash

@cyrus123 (6363)
United States
April 20, 2010 2:35am CST
My dog, Prissy, has had some red, rashy looking areas on her stomach here lately. She bites and scratches on these areas all the time. The last time she had these problems, I took her to the vet and he gave her a shot and she did a lot better. It was back in the winter when I took her. I asked him what it was exactly and he said it was just allergies. He charged me about $30.00 for this. I got her heartworm medicine at the same time and together it was about $67.00. I was wondering if there is a home remedy that I can give her that will work just as well. I'm going to take her for her rabies shot after the first of next month and I can't afford to spend too much.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
20 Apr 10
I doubt you'll find the meds you need for Prissy,especially the heartworm med. I'm not sure about the allergy med but it's my guess you won't be able to get it anywhere else either. I guess if you take her to get her rabies that is going to cost you too? Dogs and cats are expensive are they not?
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
21 Apr 10
All pets are expensive but I already got the heartworm medicine when I took her to get her shot for this rash she had before. One mylotter suggested I give her Children's Benadryl. She also suggested that I try white vinegar mixed with water. I'm going to try the latter first and if it doesn't work, I'm going to get her some Children's Benadryl. This same mylotter also suggested bathing her in Oatmeal Shampoo. I might try that, too, if nothing else works. Yes, the rabies shot is going to cost, too, but I just wanted some home remedies to treat her for this allergy. I forgot to mention that I check her for fleas every so often but I never do see any. Thank you for responding. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
25 Apr 10
Thank you, quita! I tried the vinegar and I can't tell if it has helped her or not. I believe it burns when I spray it on her. As you can probably see, I told pergammano above that I would read up more on the Advantage and find out where it's available around here, how much it is, etc. I'm also going to get her some Children's Benadryl when I can get some money. Kathy.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
21 Apr 10
Good ideas, all of them. I agree try the vinegar first and I do know that even groomers use benadryl on dogs that are hyper. The oatmeal shampoo is an excellent idea to try too. I can't believe I didn't think of that or all of these myself ! Get the rabies shots and figure out a cheaper/ better way to deal with the allergies and you have my blessings. quita
2 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 10
Have you tried bathing her in an oatmeal shampoo? This will be gentle on her skin but would also wash off any allergens that may be on her skin. Some dogs are allergic to grass and pollen, just as we are and when they go outside this gets on thier belly causing the red rash. Also you may want to consider spriting her with white vinegar and water mix. If there is a mite that is causing her allergic reaction, this would kill the mite and help clear up the rash. Also giving her children's benedryl is also a possibility for reducing the itching. But be careful not to do too much at one time. If you were to treat her with several remedies at once and she had a reaction you would not know what it was to.
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
20 Apr 10
Thank you for your suggestions. No, I never have tried bathing her in oatmeal shampoo. Is this available as a dog shampoo? I forgot to mention that I check her for fleas every so often but I never see any. I bathe her once a week with Hartz Ultra Guard Rid Flea & Tick Shampoo because I just want to make sure the fleas stay off. If I give her Children's Benadryl, how often should I give it to her? Should I just go by the instructions? Kathy.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
20 Apr 10
Good morning, Kath...I seriously am wondering if these are NOT fleas causing this allergic reaction. Over all the years, that I have owned little friends in fur coats..and they have had "the itchy's...and sore red tummies" and other hot spots, it has been due to fleas. YES, I have had Vets, tell me that it is allergic reactions...but when pushed further, all have said "allergic to fleas"...and you can either get them to give a Flea Shot, or purchase Flea Meds (cheaper) and administer yourself. The product I use is "Advantage"...a little tube of liquid you apply between their front should blades! And, yes, I have ...like this winter, mild...had fleas..all year! Take care...and Cheers!
1 person likes this
• Canada
21 Apr 10
Dear Kathy..in all my years of owning little friends in fur coats..if the fleas got so bad that I could see them...you have an epidemic on your hands, and it is out of control..because if you can see them on your pet, they are now in every nook and cranny of your household. I have done extensive research on Advantage and truly feel it is the kindest, most effective product....but like all nefarious chemicals we introduce into our diet/life, there will always be one that has reactions to the product! I have used it for years, My "Oeuf" and my "Tosh" both passed at 14 + 15 years respectively! There are specific guidelines to your pet's weight, and the dosage administered. If at all practical, try and introduce both Vitamin B, Brewer's yeast..Flax seed..and GARLIC into your pets diet. My vet tells me that the Hot Spots are very painful! I have extreme..and GRAVE concerns over Flea powders and Flea Shampoos, as animals lick themselves, often...and ingest these toxic chemicals..and in my research, there has been a lot more serious Health issues from powders and shampoos..including all sorts of internal organ damage..including intestines! And they are absorbed thru osmosis at a much higher level than needed. I truly DO understand your limited income...as I too, am a little old lady struggling to make ends meet...so understand the consequences of extra Cash outlay, but I must do what's best for my "Brui" and Curlew! As you can tell I am very opposed to ..and I forgot to mention FLEA SPRAYS of any form...I could go on forever about them...they toxify the air..land on floor and carpets where pets are walking, and then they lick their feet. I'm on a rant..sorry. HUGZ & Cheers!
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Apr 10
Dear Kathy....That was written with due respect, just worded wrongly...and at 5 years older than you..I can still work alongside my son, doing firewood, mowing lawns, etc. Yes, taking care of oneself is primordial. Take care and Cheers!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
25 Apr 10
It's all right. I will be sure and read up more on Advantage and see where it's available here, how much it is, etc. I'm not a little old lady yet, lol, but I'm 58 and getting there. No, not really. Actually, I feel pretty young, considering I exercise a lot and try to watch my weight. However, I am getting SSI. Kathy.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Apr 10
I have a dog who has "allergies" too but its just fleas. I got some flea shampoo and every ten days I shampoo her and her hair is all grown back and she looks great. I used to use advantage and some of those other flea remedies like that but now they are saying that some pets are dying from those types of flea medicines. I guess its too strong or that people don't use it correctly, not sure but I'm not taking any chances. It's much easier just to bath the dog. She used to be a real pain but I think she kind of enjoys it now and is used to it.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
20 Apr 10
Good morning Kathy, I had a terrible time w/my dog scratching & carrying on here while back. She was driving me crazy & i know she was miserablt. I was giving her benadryl & i think that made it worse. I changed her shampoo & started putting conditioner on her after i rinsed the soap ot. I would brush her while the conditioner was on & then rinse it out. That seem to help. I would also put sea breeze on her when she would have one of those scratching fits, that helped to.I can't afford high vet bills.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
20 Apr 10
I know what you mean about the high vet bills. I really can't afford them, either. One mylotter told me to give her Children's Benadryl. That might work better than the Adult Benadryl. I bet you have a lot of shampoo and conditioner around since you used to do hair, lol. The Sea Breeze sounds like a good remedy, too. Thank you for responding. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
20 Apr 10
First you should check for fleas.. many dogs have an allergic reaction and start scratching when being bit even by one flea. Then you can check with your vet... but often Benadryl can be given to dogs. but you need to know the proper dose for your dogs size. If the rash is severe.. I would probably take her back to the vet for a cortisone shot.. some dogs are just hyper sensitive and allergic in many different seasons.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
10 May 10
Try the avon skin so soft bath oil on her people here put it on dogs horses to keep the critters away
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 May 10
No need to my daughter sales it now and doing fair with it it goes up and down so much.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
11 May 10
I've used Skin-So-Soft on her in the past but I was beginning to wonder if that might have been the cause of her rash or if it made it worse and I just quit using it. I've also used it on my horses in the past. I can't use it on the horse I have right now because he's still not broken. My nephew was just getting ready to take him to the trainer and have him gelded when he got laid off from his job! He flies a small plane for a living, though, and he's positive that it won't be long before he gets another job. I hope he does, anyway. I didn't mean to get off the subject. Anyway, we use Skin-So-Soft mixed with citronells and something else as an insect repellant on the horses out at EASI where I volunteer. I sold Avon for 6 years, from 1976 to 1983 and I learned all about the benefits of Skin-So-Soft back then. I use it on myself as an insect repellant, as a matter of fact. I started a discussion about it several months ago and I will send you the link for it if you want me to.
@junrapmian (2169)
• Philippines
10 May 10
Taking pets to the vet is really a headache for me. Vet will charge you so much. My dachshund also had some flaky dry skin and he scratches them always. I think it is due to hot weather here in our country. Much as I want to bring him to the doctor, I don't have enough money at that time. I went to the supermarket and look for a dog shampoo that can be applicable to his dry skin. I found this Doggies' Choice Anti-Mange Soap. It is a herbal soap that is anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial and anti-itch dog soap. It cost 65 pesos which is around $1.50. I bath my dach with this soap every other day for a week and the itchiness and flaking is gone and he's got healthy coat now.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
11 May 10
Hi junrapmian! One mylotter suggested getting my dog some oatmeal shampoo. She also suggested giving her children's benadryl for the itching. I really can't tell whether these have helped or not. Some days her stomach looks really red and others it looks better. I may try what you suggest, though. Thank you for telling me about it. It's past time for her rabies shot but it's because I've had to wait till I get some money before I can take her to the vet. When I take her for her rabies shot which will probably be next month, I'll tell the vet about it again. That is, if she's still having problems.