RASH ON CHIHUAHUA

Question
ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY CHIHUAHUA DEVELOPED A RASH ON HER FEET AND STOMACH.  I BOUGHT SULFADINE AND BATHED HER EVERY OTHER DAY, DRYED HER THOROUGHLY AND PUT A WHITE CREAM ON HER CALLED SOLID GOLD. IT WOULD HELP HER FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN SHE WAS BACK TO SCRATCHING AGAIN.  I WAS TALKING TO A NEIGHBOR WHO INFORMED ME THAT ALL THE PROPERTIES IN THE COMMUNITY WERE FERTILIZED ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO - I GUESS JUST BEFORE THIS RASH APPEARED.  NOW I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AS I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE FERTILIZATION NOR DO I KNOW IF THIS IS A RELATED INCIDENT.  WHAT CAN I DO OR SHOULD I TAKE HER TO THE VET?  SHE IS A NERVOUS LITTLE DOG (4 LBS) THAT IS WHY I HAVEN'T TAKEN HER YET SHE BECOMES TOO UPSET.  ANY ADVICE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.  

Answer
Hi Lorraine!
That poor little thing, I bet it was the fertilizer that did that to her since it is on her feet and stomach only, which is what would have touched it.  The sulfadine is good, but try letting it sit on her for about 20 min before rinsing.  Be sure not to let her chill, you may need to hold her in a warm towel or blanket. (put a towel in the dryer and get it heated up first, she will LOVE IT!)  This will help concentrate the skin and hopefully make her feel better.  Try this every other day as you are doing and if you see no improvement, then you probably should take her to a vet.  They may need to give her some type of allergen injection.  If she starts acting funny like vomiting, dizziness or panting... take her to a vet right away! She probably would have done that by now if she were going to, but just keep an eye on her.

God Bless,
Becky