Please help solve my gf's dog's problems

[Ellensburg]

My gf's dog Kaluah started scratching her mouth area/chest area about 4  months ago. She took her in to the vet and got skin scrapings and it is not mites. They also said that its not a fungal infection.

She went through 4 weeks of antibiotics and it got better for a while but the rash areas came back while still on the antibiotics.

The chest is fine now but her ears are literally turning black on the insides. We rarely even see her scratch, but when she does, it is scratched raw.

She has spent $450 on vet bills will ZERO relief from the issue. She has changed foods and is now feeding her dog a mainly lamb based food with no corn, grain, or by products in her food.

here are some pics.


Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[HORSEPOWER]

Wow, sounds like it had an infection from the scratching.  But it looks like an allergy of some sort.  Starting with the food is a great place to start, but could there be anything else?  Like bedding?  Something outside?  There are allergy shots too but are kind of expensive.  Good luck

[huntnfmly]

Is it just around the ears? We had a Corgi that started on his ears then he started chewing his back legs till they bleed.his belly started turning black also vet had no idea.good luck

[washingtonwillie88]

my roomates dog had a similar issue. he kept chewing on his butt and it was raw like that, vets couldnt figure it out thet kept changing his food and he is doing better the hair is back and he does not chew at all anymore. they found the cheaper brands are better.

[ribka]

We switched to a grain free food for our dogs.

reduced skin  problemS.  Can find at Costco- Natures Domain brand. like the salmon sweet potato

[ribka]

Or Taste of the Wild brand. I think coop in E burg has it. Not cheap but good food.

Put tea tree oil on areas with skin rash.

[Old Mule]

The switch to grain free Dog food worked for Us to, Now it's fish and sweet potatoes and we have no more rashes on the chin, bad smell or ear infections.

[CoachNemo]

Friends of ours had a similar issue and they found it to be a plant in the dog sitter's yard she was allergic to.  New dog sitter that she goes to twice a week.  It only showed up after the dogs started spending some time in her back yard vs. the normal dog run.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Food allergy for sure.  Also could be too much salt.  Had a Boxer cross when I was a kid, and the dog loved potato chips.  He got a bad rash from all the salt in the chips.  Don't know if the product is still available, but a salve called Sulfodene cured the rash quickly, and no more potato chips kept it from coming back.  My last Setter had a food allergy, and had to get her special food.  Something like a Gluten-free food, I think.  Good Luck...

[Sportfury]

Yep I agree, food allergy. Go to a grain free food, it will do your dog wonders. I use Vetrinary Formulated Chicken or Turkey. After buying 12 bags you get the 13th free. I had good results with Taste of the Wild. Dogs loved it, but it was costly. With a small dog like that you might be able to get away with buying the higher end foods.