Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 2/11/2011

Question
I have an eight month old German shepherd who has had itchy skin problems since she was about three months old (I've been told by several vets & breeders that this alone is very rare, and that shepherd seldom develop skin problems until they are much older). I have taken her to several different vets (including a holistic vet) who each offered completely different diagnoses for her symptoms. She breaks out into a rash, starting on her belly and gradually spreading to her legs and neck. Recently (in the last two weeks) she developed rashes on the insides of her ears as well. At the advice of her breeder, I have completely eliminated all grains from her diet, and feed her only raw meat and small amounts of vegetables (raw chicken with bones, tuna, and steak mixed with either cooked carrots or green beans). Her condition does not seem to have improved in the least after feeding her this diet for a little over three weeks; is there anything else I can do to help her? Thanks very much.

Answer
In itchy puppies with raised red rashes, I would first want the puppy treated for sarcoptic mange. The rash locations that you described are so typical of this condition.  Your vet can do this for you.  If that does not give any relief, then I would put the puppy on an antibiotic for 3 weeks to see if the rash goes away, indicating a bacterial infection.