Ask the Veterinarian/skin irritation

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Expert: - 4/29/2011


Question
My beagle has developed a pink/reddish irritation all along her bottom stomach, torso, inside of legs, and back end including up the underside of her tail.  A few days ago it was just a light color, now it's darker and she's scratching and chewing at it to the point of causing sores and open scratches.  I've bathed her in Epsom salt to try and relieve it, but it hasn't helped.  I've also given her 25 mg of Benadryl, but that hasn't helped.  I don't know if it's related, but her pupils are also really dilated in the evenings, much more than her sister's.  Ideas/suggestions?

Answer
Could be an allergic dermatitis from the grasses outside or from inhaling pollens etc. One Benadryl won't do much, you might want to try one twice a day.

Oatmeal bathes are more soothing to the skin. Just put oatmeal in a cloth bag or in the bottom of nylon stocking and tie off the end. Place that in some warm bath water and make her sit in it (ya easier said then done for some dogs) for about 15 minutes. Don't rinse as there is nothing to rinse.

Do not use shampoo on her as it will just irritate her skin. Some folks give a baby aspirin as well for the irritation.

If none of the above helps then she needs to see the vet for an injection of steroids for the inflammation and a short round of oral medication as well.

I don't know about the pupil dilation but it could be from the Benadryl.  

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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.

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

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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!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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