Belly and Leg “Rash” on Dog

Hi Angela,
Good photo of Scout. Her hair coat is very thin from what I can tell from the photo, and with the eruptions on her belly, thighs and chest, there is some redness on her skin.

From your description of her skin condition and the results from her previous allergy testing, I would be suspicious of a flea allergy (did the allergy testing include fleas?), even though you have not seen any. But you did say, "since the "rash" started on the back of her legs", and that is where flea allergy would start (and/or chiggers - I do not know if there are chiggers in your part of Texas), or just secondary bacterial infection, which would account for the little pimples and the initial peeling areas that you first noticed.

The dose for Benadryl in a dog is 1 mg per pound of body weight. For Scout, 90 lbs, she would need about 90 mg. Over the counter Benadryl contains 25mg, so you could give her at least 3 tablets 2-3 times daily if you need to help control itching. Be aware that it does cause drowsiness.

A 'healthier' alternative would be to give her 2 tablets of Antronex by Standard Process, a glandular supplement from Standard Process, 2 times daily which will help the liver remove histamine from the skin.

She should have a bath once a week with oatmeal shampoo to give her some relief and remove some of the 'surface' bacteria. Keep her skin clean and dry - topical creams are not very effective and tend to attract dirt and bacteria.

Ask your vet for a complete blood panel (that includes thyroid) to make sure Scout has no other problems such as anemia, poor immune system, hypothyroidism, etc.

I also recommend a skin scraping to rule out any mites.

You should also do everything you can to improve her diet, including the addition of some raw meat. See our Dog Food section for more on this.

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Dry dog food will not provide enough moisture to help the skin heal. For additional "foundation" advice about skin issues, see our Dog Skin Conditions / Dog Skin Disorders page.

And most importantly, seek out the help of a local holistic veterinarian. Even if it is difficult to find the diagnosis, with the symptoms that she is showing, she should respond to some homeopathic remedies.

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

My dog skin is very very simalar right now. She has this red bumps on her back legs and belly. I've been using diaper rash cream believe it or not. Not sure if this is good or bad for her. I just don't have the money to have her be seen and the diaper rash cream seems to be working. I like to put it on her twice a day when she lets me. I don't think she likes the smell. I noticed she getting some redness around her mouth as well. Any thoughts?

Dear Anonymous,
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

2 weeks ago my 6 month old wirepoo + schnauzer mix pup came up with this rash overnight, we have tried benadryl, hydracortisone spray and nothing is working. The rash is on the inside of his legs, on his belly and now one has showed up on his chest and its still spreading, I have seen a few that look like they are peeling and the next day it will be light red. others have turned beige one day just to turn light red the next. I am taking my pup to the vet tomorrow to try and find out what this is. It doesn't seem to bother him too much and rarely bites at it.

Hi Kim,
From your description, it sounds like superficial pyoderma caused by Staph bacteria. Keep us posted on what diagnosis your veterinarian gives. Since your dog is so young, it would be best to treat holistically, and NOT use cortisone or antibiotics to suppress the symptoms, but improve nutrition, boost the immune system, and decrease vaccinations.

Thanks for your question. I'm happy to help more, 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

These pictures look like CHIGGER bites. Check into that.

Those are likely to be chigger bites. Chiggers become prevalent in the spring and dogs have merely to stand in the yard and before long, they are covered in bites. Flea bites are a possibility but you will find that even after a flea treatment on the dogs, that they still have those bites all over the stomach area, which indicates that they are being bitten by chiggers from being outside.

May 21, 2014

Dear Anonymous,
Regarding the possibility of the rash being chigger bites, you are correct that the appearance would be VERY similar. But none of the dogs with the rash seemed to be bothered very much by the rash. A few were licking a small amount. Chigger bites are characterized by *insane* itching and scratching!

The chiggers not only bite, but their saliva contains an enzyme that will *burrow* deeper into the tissues under the skin. This tissue destruction causes severe swelling and inflammation, that results in the 'victim' scratching non-stop in an effort to try to *remove* the burning/stinging sensation.

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

my 4 month old puppy has developed the rash on his stomach, thighs, and armpits im not sure wat its from but he has not gotten his shots yet im very nervous I hope someone can help me

June 22, 2014

Hi Tori,

For your 4 month old puppy, 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

Hello,

I think my dog has either an allergic reaction to something which he has never had or he may have Folliculitis from my research I have done. He has little red bumps almost as if he were bitten by fleas all on his stomach and in armpits, but he takes Trifexis so I dont see how it could be fleas. Does anybody know why this could be happening or help diagnose what he has????

March 13, 2015

Hi Macy,
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

Hello, my dog had the same thing starting on her belly and as well she first had problems last year to the point she itched all of her hair off and lost a lot of weight. We switched her food and 4 months later she is so much better up until 2 weeks ago she started itching A LOT more and were noticing chunks of hair on the floor. Her food is the same we are not giving her anything that she was allergic too when they did a test. We cannot give her an oatmeal bath as that was something she is allergic too and this time she has spots in her ears and on her stomach.
The only change is the fact that we had to move. The water does have a higher magnesium levels just because of differences the wells but we have switched her to bottle water in case and the spots in her ears suggest yeast infection so we are adding apple cider vinegar to her food. Any ideas on what could be causing her stomach to have spots and itch would be great!!

Thank you!

June 17, 2015
Hi Sam
At this time I am no longer consulting for Organic Pet Digest. I am devoting more time to my practices in California and Nevada.

It would be best to locate a holistic veterinarian near you to help your dog. To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below
***z-findvet.shtml.

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.

I have 2 year old dachshund/chihuahua mix and I've been feeding him Purina...and over the past few weeks, he's been getting dried up bumps on his chest and armpit area. And just recently, the bumps have gotten massive between his groin area and red. He keeps licking them. I tried to give him an allergy pill (not Benadryl) but my prescription. I thought it was working but not sure. He won't let me put cream on him though. He starts freaking out. HELP.

Also, he's house trained so he doesn't go out. So I know for sure they're not chigger bites.

September 14, 2015

Dear Anonymous,

Regarding your 2 year old Dachsund with the 'red bumps' on his belly,

I am no longer answering questions online. It would be best to take your dog to a veterinarian or, better yet, find a local holistic veterinarian to help.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman