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Original poster

Help! Dogs skin

28 replies

Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 13:30

Hello all. I’m hoping someone may have some wisdom to help with our 4yo French bulldog.
we have rescued him and there is no previous history known. He came with some tablets the vet had recommended to take for his skin but they aren’t helping, we took him back to the vets and they gave him more tablets which also haven’t worked the poor lad. so far we have
-changed to grain free food
-used antibacterial soothing spray
-used coconut oil
-used sudocrem recommended by the vet (which I found odd)
I’m wondering if it could be an allergy? He itches himself until he is red raw and I feel so sorry for him. Has anyone else had anything like this?

Sensitive content
Help! Dogs skin
OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 02/02/2025 14:12

Have you deflead him ? Has he had any skin scrapes?

redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 14:26

Mine needed steroids and lots of cream.
I used PetNat dermacton cream, aloe vera, stinky stuff creams, sudocrem - I went through pots and pots. I also put a non absorbent t-shirt on her to act as a barrier.
And I gave her fish oils and coconut to help nourish skin from the inside and a product called Dermal 03
She had a skin scrape but nothing was found. I think it was down to stress.
Might be the same for your dog but could be any number of other things too unfortunately.
What were the two lots of tablets he got from the vet and how long have you had the dog?

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 18:53

DustyLee123 · 02/02/2025 14:12

Have you deflead him ? Has he had any skin scrapes?

Yeah been deflead. No skin scrapes

OP posts:
Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 18:54

redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 14:26

Mine needed steroids and lots of cream.
I used PetNat dermacton cream, aloe vera, stinky stuff creams, sudocrem - I went through pots and pots. I also put a non absorbent t-shirt on her to act as a barrier.
And I gave her fish oils and coconut to help nourish skin from the inside and a product called Dermal 03
She had a skin scrape but nothing was found. I think it was down to stress.
Might be the same for your dog but could be any number of other things too unfortunately.
What were the two lots of tablets he got from the vet and how long have you had the dog?

Edited

We have had him now about 3 weeks- my DP is wondering if it could be a carpet allergy because this is when he seems to scratch really badly

OP posts:
redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 19:06

DP is wondering if it could be a carpet allergy because this is when he seems to scratch really badly

Yes, could be. I don't know much about allergies but maybe a barrier - thin body suit type thing - could help rule in it/out.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was stress though, sounds like he's had quite an adjustment.

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 19:19

redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 19:06

DP is wondering if it could be a carpet allergy because this is when he seems to scratch really badly

Yes, could be. I don't know much about allergies but maybe a barrier - thin body suit type thing - could help rule in it/out.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was stress though, sounds like he's had quite an adjustment.

We think he may have been badly abused as does the vet sadly. He’s such a lovely dog too

OP posts:
Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 19:21

DustyLee123 · 02/02/2025 14:12

Have you deflead him ? Has he had any skin scrapes?

What is a skin scrape please?

OP posts:
Hedgesgalore · 02/02/2025 19:41

Ours had skin issues.

We now use Malaseb shampoo, then zincoseb shampoo alternated every three weeks

He's now on Burns duck and brown rice dry food. I add yumove itchy skin pump (vet told us), fresh raw carrot and broccoli.

No chicken.

We still have apoquel and foam pump if he has a flare up.

Hedgesgalore · 02/02/2025 19:47

Just to add, we made these changes instructed by the vet.

He had apoquel and the foam pump for about 6 weeks. I don't want him on meds forever so went with the shampoos after his skin calmed down.

The removal of chicken from his diet was my decision

Glitchymn1 · 02/02/2025 19:52

Antibiotics and coatex bath - but I’d second a skin scrape. Could it be seasonal?

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 20:16

Hedgesgalore · 02/02/2025 19:41

Ours had skin issues.

We now use Malaseb shampoo, then zincoseb shampoo alternated every three weeks

He's now on Burns duck and brown rice dry food. I add yumove itchy skin pump (vet told us), fresh raw carrot and broccoli.

No chicken.

We still have apoquel and foam pump if he has a flare up.

Thank you I’ll have a look at these products- he doesn’t eat a lot of chicken so not sure if it’s that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 20:17

Glitchymn1 · 02/02/2025 19:52

Antibiotics and coatex bath - but I’d second a skin scrape. Could it be seasonal?

We’ve not had him very long so I’m not sure if it’s seasonal. It must be driving him crazy we just want to fix it :(

OP posts:
NippyNinjaCrab · 02/02/2025 20:31

Get some piriton tablets, weigh him to get the correct dose. It looks like dermatitis maybe? Grain free isn't always best OP. I've had 2 years of issues with my boy and referred myself to a dermatologist for him, he has folliculitis and dermatitis, we used Douxo foam on his yeast patches in his face which also killed any bacteria. The orange one, get it from Amazon it's cheaper than the vet. Was it steroids the vet gave him? I'd try Apoquel for a month and see if it helps, if it does you can get it cheaper with a vet prescription online. Cytopoint injections are also an option. Good luck poor wee man, give him a hug from us here. Xx

Help! Dogs skin
rumred · 02/02/2025 20:48

You have my sympathy, we adopted a 6 year old frenchie and she has skin issues. We've tried grain free to no (or little avail) and think maybe she's allergic to beef.
I put salmon oil and a little apple cider vinegar in her food and her skin has improved {we're about 3 weeks in doing this}.
Also when she's really itching half a hay fever tablet gives her relief. We wipe her folds with water with a drop of camomile and lavender oil in it.
Think it will be an ongoing issue but it's definitely better 4 months on.
Good luck, they're worth it.

RunningJo · 02/02/2025 21:18

Worth trying piriton, also make sure their bedding is washed regularly on a hot wash using non bio
Avoid chicken
Ask the vet about apoquel, or cytopoint and if insurance covers it, get some allergy testing (skin not bloods as they aren’t that accurate - as told to me by a dermatologist vet)

Fish oil is good for the skin, but if you’re not sure if he’s allergic to fish, then try evening primerose oil or flaxseed.

Look on Healthful Pets website and get a shampoo (they have various options on there for itchy skin) That will help sooth the skin.

a short course of steroids will reset his system so speak to your vet about that being a possibility for him

you can get a body suit from Equafleece which may help if it’s grass he’s allergic to.

You can also buy a spray for allergens that you could spray into your soft furnishings, and anything you can’t wash. This company also sell a liquid you can add to washing too, the company is called Bio-life.

Hope you can find something to help him

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 21:41

NippyNinjaCrab · 02/02/2025 20:31

Get some piriton tablets, weigh him to get the correct dose. It looks like dermatitis maybe? Grain free isn't always best OP. I've had 2 years of issues with my boy and referred myself to a dermatologist for him, he has folliculitis and dermatitis, we used Douxo foam on his yeast patches in his face which also killed any bacteria. The orange one, get it from Amazon it's cheaper than the vet. Was it steroids the vet gave him? I'd try Apoquel for a month and see if it helps, if it does you can get it cheaper with a vet prescription online. Cytopoint injections are also an option. Good luck poor wee man, give him a hug from us here. Xx

Amazing thank you so much, I can’t for the life of me remember what they were called. They were tiny little tablets he had to take 2x a day. I’ll get him that apoquel x

OP posts:
Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 21:42

RunningJo · 02/02/2025 21:18

Worth trying piriton, also make sure their bedding is washed regularly on a hot wash using non bio
Avoid chicken
Ask the vet about apoquel, or cytopoint and if insurance covers it, get some allergy testing (skin not bloods as they aren’t that accurate - as told to me by a dermatologist vet)

Fish oil is good for the skin, but if you’re not sure if he’s allergic to fish, then try evening primerose oil or flaxseed.

Look on Healthful Pets website and get a shampoo (they have various options on there for itchy skin) That will help sooth the skin.

a short course of steroids will reset his system so speak to your vet about that being a possibility for him

you can get a body suit from Equafleece which may help if it’s grass he’s allergic to.

You can also buy a spray for allergens that you could spray into your soft furnishings, and anything you can’t wash. This company also sell a liquid you can add to washing too, the company is called Bio-life.

Hope you can find something to help him

A lot of you have said to avoid chicken- is this a known trigger for them?

OP posts:
NippyNinjaCrab · 02/02/2025 21:43

Maybe Prednisolone steroids? Wee soul he is. He will settle and know he's safe and loved now xx

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 21:43

rumred · 02/02/2025 20:48

You have my sympathy, we adopted a 6 year old frenchie and she has skin issues. We've tried grain free to no (or little avail) and think maybe she's allergic to beef.
I put salmon oil and a little apple cider vinegar in her food and her skin has improved {we're about 3 weeks in doing this}.
Also when she's really itching half a hay fever tablet gives her relief. We wipe her folds with water with a drop of camomile and lavender oil in it.
Think it will be an ongoing issue but it's definitely better 4 months on.
Good luck, they're worth it.

He’s honestly so loving and a big baby. It breaks my heart what he’s already been through and now his skin to add on to it… we will try anything x

OP posts:
Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 21:45

Big softy

Help! Dogs skin
OP posts:
redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 22:27

Poor thing. He's lucky you found him.
Re the skin scrap, for my dog at least, it was to see if she had an excess of mites, microscopic ones that live in the hair follicles, that were causing demodex leading to hair loss and itching. It's pretty horrible for them, they scrap the skin with a blade (I think at least). She had it when she was under anaesthetic for a dental which was good. I guess best to have a chat with your vet. It turned out to be unnecessary for mine and I'm sure her skin was sore even if she didn't know anything about it when they were doing it.

RunningJo · 02/02/2025 22:27

Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 21:42

A lot of you have said to avoid chicken- is this a known trigger for them?

Show quote history

It is quite a common thing for dogs to be allergic to chicken. Not quite sure why but it’s a common theme with dogs and allergies

rumred · 02/02/2025 22:37

What a beautiful dog. I think when they settle in their anxiety lessens, which helps.

Here's mine 😁

Help! Dogs skin
redboxer321 · 02/02/2025 22:40

Just to add, mine scratched for months. It was not easy to deal with or to see, I felt very sorry for the poor thing. It did take time but she's just a 'normal' scratcher now. It looks like your dogs nipples are enlarged, hers were too, but back to normal size now. Hopefully your dog will make a good recovery but lots of things to try if it is allergies or something else.

Original poster
Cornecopia · 02/02/2025 23:44

rumred · 02/02/2025 22:37

What a beautiful dog. I think when they settle in their anxiety lessens, which helps.

Here's mine 😁

Awwww he is gorgeous x

OP posts: