my pit has scabby red bumbs, whelps on his back, and losing hair

Question
QUESTION: Please HELP! my Pit, Smokey, has developed a terrible sort of rash or allergic reaction of some sort in the last few days.  i had purchased some treats and after reading the ingredients i read peanut butter confectioners sugars wheat and all sorts of other crap.  i am not sure if this is a very large trigger or overdose for him or if it may be something else.  also i had been feeding him Beniful for about the last 6 months, and my byfriend made the mistake of buying and feeding him kibbles and bits.  i didnt realize it until the sores and i think hot spots all on his underside. Whelps have devoloped on his back and sides this morning which is causing his hair to fall out.  He is pretty sensitive to alot of foods and he WAS doing Ok with the beniful.  And honestly, i cannot affor a vet at this point. i have called around and nobody will take payments all up front. it hurts sooo bad to see my smokey as miserable as he is.  i have tried benedryl, and some hotspot spray which seems to lessen the redness of them making the few day old scabby bumps to a pink scabby bump. i have bathed him with a tea tree antibacterial shampoo also. This seems to help a little with the itching and scrathing.  Please, can you help?
ricki

ANSWER: Wow Ricki:  I hope he doesn't have mange mites.... Could be?  You may not be able to see them as they can tunnel under the skin.
You may need to save up some money and go to a vet:
For now, you can try this:

Baking Soda Bath - cool to warm water in a bath tub and mix in 1 cup of pure baking soda, mix.
Pour cups of this mixture over him as he stands in the tub.
Do this for a few days 1 x per day...

Next, give him 1-2 benadryl tablets every 6 hrs.... ( this can be done for just a few days):  CALL the vet about dosages if you don't understand his amount.

The two foods you have use are not very good at all.  I would not refer you to either of them.
I would like to see him on Chicken Soup for the Dog lovers Soul or Innova Dog food... ( a much better quality food than what you were using:

If he gets any open sores you can place some Triple antibiotic ointment on the areas.
AGAIN, I think this boy needs to see the vet.

BEST of luck

Marie Peppers LPN MA




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Smokeys   QUESTION: i have never experienced mange in any of my animals. so i really do not know what to look for. i have 2 cats and a rat terrier also. all are doing fine to date.  but that is not to say. i will attach a picture so you can see what i am dealing with. i am unable to get a good pic of his back his hair is just raised from the bumps. i will do as you say and i plan on getting him to a vet as soon as i financially can.  where do i find the food reccommended. i have not heard of these before. and as far as the baking soda bath i dont rinse it off, right. i just pour over and dry him off?  Thank you so much for all of your help.  you have no idea how much i appreciate you.
ricki

Answer
Thanks for the photo....POOR kid:  Well, it may not be mange, hard to say.... I hope it is a reaction to food???
The foods can be found at a local pet store.
Don't rinse off the Baking soda as it is calming and healing to the skin.  PLUS, it will be very diluted by the bath water.
Good luck and keep using the Benadryl for a few more days.


Marie