Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 7/5/2005

Question
I have an 8 month old female American bulldog with itchy bumps that appear under the skin on inside and outside of legs and skin on belly is so calloused from rubbing that it resembles an elephant's. She also has a strong musty smell that comes and goes. Antibiotics did not help.  

Answer
At 8 months, I would have to think about mange and secondary yeast infection.  That may be why the antibiotics did not help her.  Ask your vet to check her for demodex mange and for Malassezia yeasts.  Some puppies are also food allergic and if that is the case, changing the type of protein source to something she has never eaten before may be helpful.