I rescued an eight week lab-mix puppy from animal control three weeks ago. I took her for her first set of shots and she is due for her second set this week coming up. I noticed that she has been a bit itchy for the past week. (she is flea free) I have given her oatmeal baths to lessen the itching, but it hasn' t seemed to help. This morning, I noticed scabs all on her chest, and red sores in her "underarms". She also has a few bumps that look like big pimples on her belly. The vet was closed today and will also be closed tomorrow... is there something I could do to keep her comfy until I can get her in on Monday?

This is one of the few cases where I will suggest medicating your dog yourself. Try Benadryl. The www.vetvax.com* catalog gives 2 mg per pound every 8 hours as the dose. One standard 25 mg tablet might be about right. If it is on the low side, it still may still be plenty. I am not surprised the oatmeal bath didn't work. I see many questions where somebody tried it and it didn't work.

I strongly support your plans to take her to the vet as soon as you can. My guess is that he will fix her right up.

With a new puppy, I am sure you will find some good material in the sticky starting with ''What does a puppy need?'' at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/information-articles-our-dogs-expert-labman-53153.html#post251802

Thank you for rescuing her. 8 weeks is a good time to get a puppy. Count on me for all the help I can give you.

*I actually don't know too much about them. There are tons of bad info around. Their recommendations seem to be about the same a I see elsewhere and I have their catalog handy. I have bought dog toys from them, good selection, good prices, and unlike a certain better know supplier, no spam. They have a wide variety of the sturdy Nylabones and Kongs Labs need.