Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 5/15/2007

Question
I have a 2 year old pit bull which I found about a year and a half ago.  He had mange and I took him to the vet and they gave him a mitoban dip for 6 weeks consecutively.  That ultimately cleared the mange after another test.  But now he's breaking out it was seems to be bumps all over his body which make his coat dry and brittle and then the hair becomes less thick and after it cures you can see the kind of the patches left behind with less hair then later the hair grows back.  I've taken him to two vets and all tell me it's an allergic reaction.  I'm feeding him Beneful Sensitve skin.  I just need to know if there is a specialist for pitbulls or dog allergies in Hollywood, FL or if you can recommend anything.  I can send you pix if you like.  Let me know.

Thanks,
Jesus

Answer
Dogs develop allergic skin reactions after 1-2 years of age. I fyour dog had mange as a pup, I would not want to treat him with steroids, that are used for most allergic skin diseases.  There is a veterinary dermatologist called Dr. susan Sawyer in Coral Springs Animal Hospital.  Ask your vet for a referral to her.