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My Shihtzu’s skin has been itching for a month now and the spots on her skin have increased in #. She bites, licks and scratches at them. They feel like bumps, but upon closer look, it’s as if there is yellow crusty skin caught up in her hair and around the spots. If I try to separate the hair to get a good look, it causes her to want to but lick and scratch even more. Can you help? I tried to get a close up picture. Any feedback would be appreciated.

My Shihtzu’s skin has been itching for a month now and the spots on her skin have increased in #. She bites, licks and scratches at them. They feel like bumps, but upon closer look, it’s as if there is yellow crusty skin caught up in her hair and around the spots. If I try to separate the hair to get a good look, it causes her to want to but lick and scratch even more. Can you help? I tried to get a close up picture. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Updated On July 17th, 2022

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | spayed | 9 years and 3 months old | 12.5 lbs

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

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Poor Ruffles, that sounds pretty uncomfortable. This itching could be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, I can give you one for her. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Even if she is up to date on her flea treatment, I do recommend taking her into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow as her skin sounds pretty bad and I'm worried she could have a secondary skin infection from all the itching she has been doing. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm if she is up to date on her flea treatment to diagnose the cause of her itching. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I hope this helps!

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