Lauren M. Jones, VMD

Poor Deogi! Intense itching could be due to a number of conditions, with some of the more common causes including allergies (often to fleas, food, or environmental factors), ringworm, or mange. Make sure that Deogi and your other two dogs are all receiving a high quality flea preventative regularly, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II. Dogs with flea allergies can become intensely itchy after just a few flea bites, so it is best to make sure that this is not an issue. It can take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to determine if a change in diet has been effective in managing itching or other skin changes. Consider talking to your vet about a diet trial with a prescription-based hypoallergenic diet because food allergies are often a result of an allergy to the protein in the foods. You can also try bathing Deogi every few days with an antimicrobial/anti-itch shampoo ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27980 ) because this may provide some relief. Also consider wiping his feet each time he comes inside to remove as much pollen/plant material as possible. If this itching continues, Deogi will need to go back to his vet for further evaluation and diagnostic testing to get to the bottom of this issue. I hope that all goes well!

Hi Diana! At 4 months of age, Joey is still very much a puppy. I generally recommend feeding a good quality puppy food, such as Science Diet, Royal Canin, or Purina ProPlan (here are some examples: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=29265 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=31148 ) for the first year of life. When Joey turns 1, you can transition him to an adult dog food. Any time you change his diet - even if it is just to a different protein source of the same brand - be sure to do so gradually over 5-7 days. Sudden diet changes can lead to vomiting and diarrhea for some dogs. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Oh dear, poor Tuscany! Since her skin is so sore, there is a chance that she has developed a bacterial skin infection as a result of her excessive scratching. Most skin infections require a course of antibiotics, which would require a trip to the vet for a definitive diagnosis. You can also try bathing her in an antimicrobial shampoo ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27981 ) if she will tolerate it. As for flea control, consider skipping both collars and topical while her skin is so sore. Instead, you can give oral medications, such as Comfortis (which is prescription-based; http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18887 ) that will provide flea prevention for the month, or Capstar ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10902 ) which will rapidly kill adult fleas, but provide no lasting prevention. If you opt to use Capstar, be sure to apply Advantage as well as soon as her skin lesions improve. Peroxide will actually delay healing of the skin, so try to avoid using this again. Aloe vera may be mildly soothing, but is unlikely to provide significant relief. I hope that all goes well!

The soft, squishy and warm lump that you've noticed on Bruce's side could be due to an abscessed wound, cyst, or a benign or malignant mass. Bruce should take a trip to his vet, particularly if this lump has grown or changed rapidly. The vet will be able to use a needle to draw out some cells to examine them microscopically, if needed. From there, he may need a course of antibiotics or surgical removal of this lesion. If he is licking at this lesion, put an e-collar ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20390 ) on him to prevent further skin irritation. I hope that all goes well!

I'm glad to hear that Mr. Tibbs does not seem to be bothered by this bump. This lesion could be an abscessed wound, infected mass, infected cyst, etc. Anytime pus is present, this is indicative of white blood cells working to fight infection. I recommend taking Mr. Tibbs to his vet both for a course of antibiotics and to determine the cause of this lesion. He may need to have a needle aspirate performed to draw out a few cells with a needle and then examine them microscopically. Until you can get to the vet, you can try applying warm compresses to this area and be sure to keep an e-collar ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20390 ) on Mr. Tibbs to prevent him from licking the area, because this will make matters worse. I hope that all goes well!