Scabby Rash on My Dog

Dogs can develop skin irritations caused by a variety of things and can exhibit symptoms, such as scaly, scabby rashes. These conditions often cause extreme itching and pain for the animal, so it is important to find the cause as soon as possible and provide treatment. Rashes which are left untreated can result in infections which can be deadly to your pet.

  1. Canine Dermatitis

    • Canine dermatitis can cause a scabby, scaly looking rash on your dog's skin. There are a variety of causes for this condition. Some dogs may be sensitive to the grass they roll in. Plastics are also believed to cause environmental dermatitis, such as plastic food bowls or plastic dog toys. A veterinarian can examine the skin rash and determine if it is dermatitis and give you tips to prevent it and medications to treat it.

    Fleas and ticks

    • Parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can cause your dog's skin to become irritated, especially when the animal scratches and digs at the area. This can cause a red, scabby-looking rash which can become infected if you don't catch it in time. There are products available at pet stores or grocery stores which can be used to combat fleas and ticks on your dog.

    Mange

    • Mange is a condition that affects dogs and causes symptoms, such as itching, a scabby, scaly rash, a foul odor and loss of hair. There are several types of mange but all types are caused by a tiny mite which causes extreme skin irritation. Mange is highly contagious and should be treated with a combination of medicated dog dip and antibiotics.

    Eczema

    • Eczema in dogs can cause a variety of symptoms, such as a dry, scabby rash or open, oozing sores. It is an immune disorder and is usually caused from a sensitivity to something in the dog's environment, such as chemicals, pollutants or even dust. There are many treatments for eczema in dogs, such as special shampoos, antibiotics and steroids, such as cortisone.

    Allergies

    • Allergies can also cause rashes to appear on your dog. Animals can be allergic to a variety of things, such as food, bedding and plant pollen. If your dog develops a scabby rash which does not respond to usual treatment methods, take your pet to a veterinarian so they can examine the rash and run allergy tests to determine the cause.