Dog skin lesions on leg, chest and underside that start with a white crust on top & come and go

by | May 10, 2019 | Ask A Vet, Skin Issues | 0 comments

by Gina

Chest

Chest

Chest

Leg

Next to Penis

Ever since we moved into our new house Kila, my 5 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriver, has had some skin problems. The new house is right next to a Park full of trees n a small forest with a creek. He doesn’t have access to the park or the small creek but sometimes critters come into our yard like birds, iguanas, toads and snakes.

Some (but not all) of the skin lesion are round and they start of with a white crust on top. He doesn’t scratch them but they come and go.

I mentioned it to my regular vet back in June but he didn’t pay to much attention to it, but did notice that his Lymph nodes were swollen prescribe some antiobitic which I argued against. They didn’t really work because lymph nodes are still swollen and skin lesion are still there. What do you think is causing this?

Comments for Dog skin lesions on leg, chest and underside that start with a white crust on top & come and go

Sep 27, 2012I have noticed the same thing!
by: Anonymous My dog also has pretty much the same rashes that you describe! could it be due to the warm temperatures?
Sep 27, 2012Might be Dermatitis
by: Giselle Had something similar with my shar-pei on his skin, when we took him to get checked out affer a few scratch test found that it was Dermatitis, vet thought it was caused by an allergic reaction to pollen. These “hot spots” happened more frecuently on the hotest months but as you say they would come and go. Treated them with antihistamines, cortisol creams and a little omega 3 oils. If lymph nodes are still swollen could be that the dog developed a fungal infection on the skin where he has one of the lesions, this is do to the exposed part of the skin and contact with something outside during his walks, but a little bit if anti-fungal cream shoul do the trick. This was our case but a scratch test at the vet should tell you more!
Hope he gets better and this helps!
Giselle
Sep 27, 2012My Online Vet Response for: Dog skin lesions on leg, chest and underside that start with a white crust on top & come and go
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman Hi Gina,
Regarding your 5 year old male Cheasapeake Bay Retriever, Kila, skin problems, I noted that ALL of the lesions are on the underside of the body, he does not scratch (indicating it is not due to allergies) and antibiotics did not help.

If your new house has a lot of concrete or hardwood floors and he is an active dog–I am suspicious he is causing these lesions by contact with rough surfaces and abrading his skin. If he refuses to lay in a soft padded bed, this will further compound the problem.

His swollen lymph glands could indicate a chronic underlying problem due to a weak immune system. Over-vaccination is a common cause of this, leading to a condition called, vaccinosis.

Plan:

1. Limit or restrict his access to rough surfaces.

2. Massage coconut oil into the ‘bare’ lesions to soften and moisturize the skin, once a day.

3. Provide soft, padded bed for him to lay.

4. Decrease DRY DOG Food and gradually transition to a canned dog food and/or raw diet.

5. Add
Omega 3 fish oils to his diet, 500 mg per meal two times daily.

6. May need to add immune support, such as Immuplex (one cap to food two times daily), Missing link, and/or Mega C.

7. NO MORE VACCINATIONS

If he does not respond to any of these suggestions, seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to work out a homeopathic remedy for chronic disease. A holistic veterinarian can write an exemption for vaccinations also.

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

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.

Sep 27, 2012My Online Vet Response for: Dog skin lesions on leg, chest, and underside that start with a white crust on top & come and go
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman 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).
I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman
Sep 27, 2012My Online Vet Response for: Dog skin lesions on leg, chest and underside that start with a white crust on top & come and go
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman Dear Giselle,

Thanks for your comments.

Shar pei dogs are VERY susceptible to skin problems due to their wrinkled skin and multiple skin folds. Dermatitis basically means inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis can be caused by a number of things as you listed in your comment: bacterial, fungal, allergic, etc. It is also used by location, such as contact dermatitis, or severity on the skin, such as superficial or deep dermatitis.

Chronic skin fold dermatitis in Shar pei dogs is considered a ‘maintenance’ problem in this breed. It requires a HUGE amount of care/baths/moisturizing supplements/special diets, to keep your dog comfortable. I worry about chronic use of anti-histamines, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone in controlling skin problems. Too many vaccinations can also affect the immune system, the same as using too many flea and tick products.

Shar pei dogs are ALSO prone to chronic ear problems and joint problems.

In many cases, one must take a ‘combination’ approach, using holistic and some conventional methods, in treating dogs that have genetic predisposition to poor immune system and chronic illness.

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.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PART 2 OF THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN DR. TILLMAN AND GINA ABOUT KILA’S SKIN PROBLEMS

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