Skin problems

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a Shepherd mix that always develops a skin condition when it get hot. I live in Texas and it is very humid. He starts losing his hair starting with his legs and then chest and sides. It feels like he got scratched on those spots and then loses his hair. He also starts smelling pretty bad. I give him Flax ssed and Fish Oil. I feed himn Natural Balance food. But his skin is still getting worse. Does anybody have any idea what it could be and what to do? The vet tells me I can give him antibiotics. Sorry. I won't do that.

[Guest Anonymous]

Antibiotics will or migt clear up his skin but as soon as I stop giving it to him the problem will come back. That is not what I want to use antibiotics for. They are a strong medication and I want to save them for when he has an actual infection. I did use oatmeal shampoo. No change. Thanks

[Guest Anonymous]

I have an Akita who has a similar problem. Every summer he has a skin irritation on his back (half of his back comes up in hugh scabs. We had tried the shampoos, creams, lotions you name it. We took him to several vets. They said to check for fleas. Which we did over and over again (we have another dog who would have fleas too, if this was the case), but no problem with their skin. They put it down to a flea allergie. Which means that (if this is the case) it only takes 1 flea to bite him and all his skin flares up. That flea may die straight away (as he is treated with Frontline, to kill fleas which is very affective) but it is too late as the saliva from the flea has caused the irritation already. Fleas only seem to come around in the summer months. Heat spots also have an effect on some long hair breads.

[Aroura]

From the sounds of it, what your dog has is called "hot spots"
Go to:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hotspots.html
You should hopefully find some answers there
Luv Jeanne