My miniature dachshund is 18 months old. He has been non stop scratching lately. He doesn't have fleas at all. He has a big bald spot where his hair has recently fallen out on his chest and under his neck. Where those bald spots are he has red splotches, but today the splotches turned Into bug red bumps. I've tried benadryl, I bathe him in special shampoo for skin allergies, and I am going to take him to the vet in a few days. But I would really like to know what this could be. He has to be miserable. Ive attached pictures of his chest and neck.
Thanks in advance.

While this is NOT a diagnosis, I am only speaking from experience. One of my dogs recently experienced something similar and the vet diagnosed him as having a yeast infection. My dog's skin looked very similar.

A vet is important for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

You need to take the dog to a vet. It could be any of many things. A parasite, allergy, infection, reaction to food or lawn chemicals. I have the same breed and she has seasonal allergies and sometimes needs steroids (prescription) to clear up the hotspots on her skin. The dog is suffering so stop delaying.

I was about to say the same thing J9. Owen's skin looked like that when he had a yeast infection. Very simple way they diagnosis it is by taking skin cells (tape against the skin and taken off, then pressed on a slide). They then look at it in a microscope.
His was from allergies and scratching so much. Please get your pup to the vet to get seen

I don't need to be told to stop delaying. If you had something negative to say then honestly you couple kept it. No of course I'm not just not taking him because I don't feel like it. Obviously I'm worried or I wouldn't have spent all day trying to help him UNTIL I get the money to take him to the vet. But I sure am glad you are such a goody two shoes with yours! Really happy for you. Thanks anyway

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Originally Posted by mogrann

I was about to say the same thing J9. Owen's skin looked like that when he had a yeast infection. Very simple way they diagnosis it is by taking skin cells (tape against the skin and taken off, then pressed on a slide). They then look at it in a microscope.
His was from allergies and scratching so much. Please get your pup to the vet to get seen

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Yes, I am taking to the vet ASAP. Probably another two days. Thanks

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Originally Posted by dontknownuthin

You need to take the dog to a vet. It could be any of many things. A parasite, allergy, infection, reaction to food or lawn chemicals. I have the same breed and she has seasonal allergies and sometimes needs steroids (prescription) to clear up the hotspots on her skin. The dog is suffering so stop delaying.

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I don't need to be told to stop delaying. If you had something negative to say then honestly you couple kept it. No of course I'm not just not taking him because I don't feel like it. Obviously I'm worried or I wouldn't have spent all day trying to help him UNTIL I get the money to take him to the vet. But I sure am glad you are such a goody two shoes with yours! Really happy for you. Thanks anyway

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Originally Posted by 2014mommy

I don't need to be told to stop delaying. If you had something negative to say then honestly you couple kept it. No of course I'm not just not taking him because I don't feel like it. Obviously I'm worried or I wouldn't have spent all day trying to help him UNTIL I get the money to take him to the vet. But I sure am glad you are such a goody two shoes with yours! Really happy for you. Thanks anyway

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The bottom line is that we can't diagnose online. There are too many possibilities to what may be going on, and without testing there's no way to diagnose. Even if we could diagnose, we couldn't prescribe.

If it is a yeast infection, and I agree with J9 and Mogrann that that's what it looks like (but that's not a diagnosis, it could be something else), then only medication will clean this up. It's like a vaginal yeast infection. If you've ever had one you know that just waiting it out, won't make it go away.

If you can't afford a vet right now, call your vet and see if they'd agree to a payment plan. Many vets will if the animal is suffering. You could also try the humane society, many times they'll offer a huge discount for vet care if you meet the criteria.

If neither of those is an option, the only thing you can do is make him as comfortable as possible. An oatmeal bath will help ease the itching, and will soothe the skin. UP (unpasturized) honey, is amazing, put some on the skin that's infected, and feed a tbls a day. Coconut oil is also a very good remedy for skin ailments, just spread it on the skin, it's okay for him to lick it, it's all natural.

Yeah, I know no one can diagnose online. I wanted opinions is all. I plan to take him in two days when I have the money to. I am certainly not making him suffer purposely. Thanks everyone

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Originally Posted by Alty

The bottom line is that we can't diagnose online. There are too many possibilities to what may be going on, and without testing there's no way to diagnose. Even if we could diagnose, we couldn't prescribe.

If it is a yeast infection, and I agree with J9 and Mogrann that that's what it looks like (but that's not a diagnosis, it could be something else), then only medication will clean this up. It's like a vaginal yeast infection. If you've ever had one you know that just waiting it out, won't make it go away.

If you can't afford a vet right now, call your vet and see if they'd agree to a payment plan. Many vets will if the animal is suffering. You could also try the humane society, many times they'll offer a huge discount for vet care if you meet the criteria.

If neither of those is an option, the only thing you can do is make him as comfortable as possible. An oatmeal bath will help ease the itching, and will soothe the skin. UP (unpasturized) honey, is amazing, put some on the skin that's infected, and feed a tbls a day. Coconut oil is also a very good remedy for skin ailments, just spread it on the skin, it's okay for him to lick it, it's all natural.

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Thanks so much for all the ideas. I will try the bath and coconut oil. I will be able to take him in two days to the vet. I will do everything I can until then. He's calming down since I found an itch cream for him.

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Originally Posted by 2014mommy

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I will try the bath and coconut oil. I will be able to take him in two days to the vet. I will do everything I can until then. He's calming down since I found an itch cream for him.

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Just make sure the itch cream is safe for ingestion. He will lick it, that's what dogs do.

I'm glad you're able to take him to the vet in 2 days. When you go, ask for a skin swab, that's the best way to find out what's going on. If the skin swab comes back without a diagnosis they'll likely want to do a blood test. But insist on the skin swab first. Sadly I found out the hard way that they'll try to push every test they can on you, to make money. My dogs blood test cost over $100, and told us nothing. The $20 skin swab told us what was going on. If I had insisted on the swab first, I could have saved a lot of money.

Not that it's about money. I'd pay anything for my pets. But I'm not rich. I can't afford to spend money when it's not necessary. Most people can't.

If he continues to have issues with itching, it could be an allergy. Keep the oatmeal bath, UP honey, and coconut oil on hand. They're all great natural cures for humans and dogs alike. My beagle has chronic ear infections. It wasn't until we started the coconut oil and UP honey that he stopped having to go to the vet every few months for recurring ear infections. He's been infection free for months now, no sign of it coming back.

Keep us posted and let us know what the vet finds. Big hugs to the itchy fur baby. :)

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Originally Posted by Alty

Just make sure the itch cream is safe for ingestion. He will lick it, that's what dogs do.

I'm glad you're able to take him to the vet in 2 days. When you go, ask for a skin swab, that's the best way to find out what's going on. If the skin swab comes back without a diagnosis they'll likely want to do a blood test. But insist on the skin swab first. Sadly I found out the hard way that they'll try to push every test they can on you, to make money. My dogs blood test cost over $100, and told us nothing. The $20 skin swab told us what was going on. If I had insisted on the swab first, I could have saved a lot of money.

Not that it's about money. I'd pay anything for my pets. But I'm not rich. I can't afford to spend money when it's not necessary. Most people can't.

If he continues to have issues with itching, it could be an allergy. Keep the oatmeal bath, UP honey, and coconut oil on hand. They're all great natural cures for humans and dogs alike. My beagle has chronic ear infections. It wasn't until we started the coconut oil and UP honey that he stopped having to go to the vet every few months for recurring ear infections. He's been infection free for months now, no sign of it coming back.

Keep us posted and let us know what the vet finds. Big hugs to the itchy fur baby. :)

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Yeah you called that one. He started licking off the cream.
I washed it off and gave him an oatmeal bath. I don't have money to waste at the vet for sure. I love my dog so much but I'm having a baby any day now and have to start being more careful with money. But I WILL not stop until he's better, and I'm glad your doggy is better too! Will keep posted on Xanders condition.

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Originally Posted by 2014mommy

Will keep posted on Xanders condition.

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That's funny! The dog I am having issues with is names Xander too!

Our vet vet told us to avoid the oatmeal baths as it dries the skin out too much and can cause more itching.

Our guy just finished 21 days of anti fungal pills and will be going back to the vet next week to be re-evaluated as he's still itching and tearing out his hair.

Sorry, I don't think that looks like a yeast infection. Even if there is yeast, it's probably a secondary infection. That looks like a reaction to something, like maybe a bug bite. Or maybe even just severe allergies that have gotten out of control and now a secondary infection has set in making the dog itch more.

Most of the over the counter yeast infection ointments are an anti-itch property to it which will cause the dog to stop itching, but it doesn't treat the problem. If this happens to be a yeast infection, treating from the inside out is the best option.

This could also be mange mites. Sarcoptic mange is hard to diagnose, but they do cause a lot of skin problems.

This dog has been suffering for awhile.. this didn't just show up over night. Your dog really needs to see a vet and honestly, I wouldn't put ANY creams on the skin just in case it makes things worse.