Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/25/2008

Question
I have a 5 year old mix who is supposedly half Irish Terrier, half German Sheppard.  In April of 2008 she was diagnosed with lymphoma and has been undergoing Chemo since then.  I have noticed that about 4 months ago she started developing small scabs on her skin.  Some of the scabs have increase in size however there seems to be many many more developing all over her body.  She gets her blood checked on a every other week basis and the oncologist says she is ok and that it "might" just that she has bad skin.  What could it be and what can I do to help her?

Answer
MAny of the drugs used for chemo lessen the body's ability to fight off infection.  SO  there may be a bacterial skin infection.  Ask the vet for antibiotics if that is the case.  Also, some types of lymphoma can affect the skin, especially epitheliotrophic lymphoma.  Ask the vet if that is a possibility.