weird spots

Question
ok i have a dog and about a week ago she started getting a rash on her belly red spots now they have spread to her neck and chin  weird thing is i have been told i have chicken pox can dogs get it and if not do u have an idea what it could be

Answer
Hi Jenisalee,

Thank you for writing to me.  I'm so sorry that your dog is having this issue. Dogs do not get chicken pox. You dog will need to be seen by a vet who can determine the exact nature of this rash. I do not like that it is spreading.  Please before it become an acute situation, bring her to your vet.  You can try giving her some baby benedryl until your vet appointment!

What was the relationship of the onset of this problem to her most recent vaccinations?  Your dog may be suffering from a condition called vaccinosis.  I suggest that she doesn't receive any further vaccinations, including her 3 year rabies (get an exemption letter from your vet) until this is solved.  It says right on the package not to administer to dogs that are ill.  

Here is a website that has some comprehensive information on skin conditions: http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/skin.htm/

I would also refrain from giving your dog any sort of preventative for fleas/ticks or anything else. Check for any new cleaning products, carpeting, anything that might be emitting chemcials into the environment or floor/lawn or outgassing.  Wash your dog with a mild oatmeal bath every week and there are natural products that can support skin health as well.

You might want to switch to a high quality food like Nature's Logic Lamb to see if there is a difference in her skin problem.  This is the only food that my highly allergic dog can tolerate.

Be sure you give your dog filtered water because there can be chemicals such as chlorine that can effect her.  If you have well water and it's been tested for purity, that would be fine to give her.

Don't let her swim in any water at this point as there can be bacteria and other things that might be effecting her.

This is going to be a process of elimination as to how to get to the source of the problem.

The final thing I am going to mention is stress.  Have there been any changes in her life that might have caused her to feel anxious?  For some sentivie dogs, even moving the living room furniture around can cause anxiety.  Be sure to keep things in your home at a very peaceful level.  Play some Mozart for her (dogs really respond to Mozart) and keep her very calm.  Stress can cause all kinds of physical problems.

I wish you the very best for your dog's recovery.

I would suggest that if your vet can't solve this problem it would be time to bring your dog to a canine dermatogist for further investigation. If you live near a teaching college such as Cornell, U. of Colorado etc, this would be the perfect place to bring her to.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis