Feb 12 2009
Itchy rashes in dogs and cats
Anytime your pet has an itchy rash, this should definitely be checked by a vet to make sure it is not fungal related and something contagious, but it can often also be an inflammatory problem with itching and blisters. Until you can get to a vet, you can use any anti-itch ointment which contains hydrocortisone, which can be found at any pharmacy and many grocery stores. Just read the labels to see which contains this, as that could help with the inflammation and itch. You could also orally give benadryl at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight if the itching is severe to dogs who are healthy otherwise and not on other medications concurrently (without asking your vet first), but do know this could cause drowsiness which lessens the licking/scratching, not necessarily helping the itch.
Make sure any pet with a rash avoids lying in wet grass or other damp areas which could cause further spread of this problem. If they have a crate or bedding, check these as well for dampness, and change bedding frequently to something clean that hasn’t touched this area to help prevent spread. Younger animals and older ones with weakened immune systems can have more severe, more contagious rashes usually, and may be due to mites, mange, fleas, as well as fungal infections. Scratching at them can cause secondary bacterial infections. It is always best to have these looked at by a vet and have a skin scraping, thorough skin check and possible culture run to treat it best.
Christine, LVT
