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Expert: - 11/1/2010


Question
Niece has staf bull terrier 2yrs old.got it 6mths ago.only gets dry dog food..past couple weeks started biting through to skin on her lower back,itchy and dog moaning with pain,always crying.

Answer
This sounds like a case of flea-bite allergies. Dogs always go after their lower backs when they get bit by fleas because they can't chew on their chests. It's simply the easiest place to get to.

If it is not fleas, and I am pretty sure that it is, then she could be having pain in her lower back or her spine. In either case she should be seeing a vet to determine if it is her back or spine.

If you find fleas on her then you need to get on a flea control program and the best way to do that is to go to the vets and get some Ovitrol spray to kill the adults and then get her on Sentinel to render the rest of the fleas sterile. In a few months you would have no fleas left at all.

I can give you a more detailed flea treatment plan if you do find fleas on her. Just let me know.

Otherwise you need to have the vet look her over.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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