Dark red patches under my dogs leg img

[jezza]

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you would kind kind enough to diagnose the problem i have with my alsatian. The picture I have attached does not show the full extent of the problem, and it is worse than it looks - unfortunately it is very hard to get a picture of the affected area. He also has a smaller variant of this under his mouth, which has now healed with 'hot spot' soothing spray. The affected area is extremely dark red in the middle and then fades slightly, I would say the area is about 6 inchs by 4 inches, and is on both sides. Please take a minute to look at the picture and tell me what you think.

[Dax]

Sorry but I really couldn't see anything in the picture. Are they growths, rash - can you give a more specific description. Do they itch - burn - dog constantly licking?

My dogs get rashes on their undercarriage when we go to the dog park because there is a stream (really dirty). If they go thru it - boom automatic rash.

This could be related to the hot spots as well - when my old girl gets hot spots - she sometimes gets other skin discolorations.

[sambucca/whiskey]

wel from what I can see it looks alot like the problem my parents had with their JRT he has seasonal allergies and it was a bacterial infection I would bring her to a vet asap.

[jezza]

Doglover, theres 2 of them, the other keeps licking it alot, he also licks it. We stop them doing it as much as possible as im sure its made it worse. With regards to burning and itching, it looks red enough to appear like its burning, but the dog doesnt give anything away and just acts normal.

[Dax]

Sounds like the same thing as why my dogs get. I think its a bacterial infection. This works for mine. Wash the area with antibacterial soap (can be dishwashing soap) rinse really well. All to dry for about an hour. Apply anti-itch cream like calimine lotion, cortisone cream, etc. Keep area clean and it should scab over in a couple of days but takes a long time til you can't see where it was. You may want to get antibacterial hand wipes and after walks, etc. wipe down the area. If it continues to spread or get worse - go to vets.

[MarioLuigi]

Put a little Neosporin on it.

[sharon]

doglover, what if after putting the anti-itch cream, the dog licks that off? Is that safe? How do we prevent that from happening considering that my pup loves licking himself and he does have a bit of a rash from his constant licking. Thanks!

[Dax]

If it's a rash from licking (I would think the licking is because it's itchy vs licking making it itchy)- I would clean the area good with soap & water and apply light coating of itch cream - rub in really well and finish with a little apple bitter or the fur biting lotion you can get at the pet store. OR a cone to keep them from getting at it.

[sharon]

Oh ok...thanks!