canine diagnostic skin sample; microscopy skin scrape sample for hot spots; fungal sample canine;

Question
Hello Marie, I have a 90lb American Pit Bull Terrier. She
appears (every spring and Summer) to have hot spots on her
hind quarters and back, all the way down her tail. She is
eating Purina Fit and Trim and I must say she is not very
active, she hasn't been active at all since she was about 3
years old (She will be 5 in December). Last year I tried
Kennel Jacks Organic Mange treatment and that seemed to help
a little, however, I do not think this is a mange condition.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer
Diagnostic skin sample on hot spots;  microscopy fungal - skin scrape sample or swab sample on canine;

Have a skin scrape done:

Hi Tina,  Next time you see the Vet, have them do a skin scrape of the area in question.  ( it is low cost and won't hurt at all).... Just so they can look at the cells and see what's going on.
Next, I would love to take here off the Fit & Trim dog food....
Let's get her onto a better brand that has very little corn and junk fillers .... Fit and Trim has some very poor ingredients.

Also, yes, sounds like Environmental allergies.  I can help with that, too...

Let's put her on some ESTER C - 1000 mg per day - long term.
( Yes, the kind you buy at Walgreens or CVS for humans)
Just hide in some cheese or wet dog food
Give 1 per day long term.

Next, Add some PURE olive oil to her diet - just 1 teaspoon per day ..

Also, Let's get her onto a good dog food:
Canidae is great - SEE here - My favorite/  Sold in many pet stores...Call around and see if you can find it?
http://www.canidae.com/dogs/grain-free-als/dry.html
( you can mix the Old food and the new food for 2 weeks at a 50:50 ratio)  So --- not to shock the system.


LAST - Please see my itchy dog kit here:
NuVET Plus - NuVet Hot spot tea tree spray.
Read this post:
Itchy dog kit for Bulldogs and others
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Bulldogs-2360/2010/2/English-Bulldog-itchy-kit.htm



I am sure the above ideas will help you.
In order to get the resuts you want, try them all for at least 60 days and see...

BEST wishes

Marie Peppers lPN MA