When your dog has a skin rash, it will scratch, bite or rub its body against objects. A closer look at the skin will reveal small red or pink bumps. This is a skin rash, and it is common in dogs.
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Features
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Rashes are irritations to the skin that can have internal or external causes. A skin rash may be in one area or all over your dog. Untreated rashes can become open sores, hot spots and infections.
Causes
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Skin rashes appear for a myriad of reasons. Many rashes are triggered by parasites, allergies, chemical exposure or drug reaction. Rashes may also appear due to skin cancer and other diseases.
Home Diagnosis
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Inspect your dog for fleas, belly dirt and sticky hair. Wash the dog with a mild dog shampoo. A bath eases dermatitis rash from outside contaminants like lawn or carpet chemicals, or plant sap.
Vet Diagnosis
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A veterinarian's diagnosis helps find causes of serious dog rashes. Skin scrapings and blood tests isolate tiny parasites, infection or disease sources.
Treatment
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The treatment is guided by the cause. Your dog may require a simple medicated bath, change in diet, flea preventative, over-the-counter antihistamine, or a series of injections and prescription medications.
Considerations
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Treat the dog promptly. If fleas or poison ivy cause the rash, the irritants will spread quickly to other animals and people.
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