...ightening. It didn't burn, but there was major soot damage. Both our cat and dog were in the house at the time (we were gone for a few hours). We had to live in a hotel for a few months, than in our basement until the main floor was finished. Our cat seemed fine (both were immediatley checked by vet)until we were agian back in our house. The cat started throwing up several times a week and lost weight. I had him checked by two different vets. They say I'm am overly worried, he checked out fine. He now only throws up a few times a month, but is pulling out his air by the globs. He doesn't have flees or any Skin Problems and has no bald spots from the hair pulling. He is 15 years old and a long haired cat. So is it behavioral, illness, age or just me????

Impossible for me to tell with the info you gave me. Blood tests, skin scrape, skin culture +/- biopsy, need to be done to help determine the cause. Good luck, vetcare

...oat? We have a Golden Retreiver with Skin Problems. Hot spots show up every time he gets wet. I was told to try Denorex, but I have concerns.

I have no experience with this. Maybe your local vet does or a specialist in dermatology. vetcare

...his feet. Considering the weather in Michigan this time of year, people have dry Skin Problems too. Is there any kind of lotion or cream I can put on his pads so they stop cracking?

You can rub some baby lotion into the pads. vetcare

...d really bad Skin Problems for many years, the last few just getting worse, I was told it was allergies to fleas & etc..he has these sores all over him and he bites and scratches his self continuosly, I know he is suffering but dont want to put him to sleep...I have tried different medications...If I had a Gallon of Gentocin Topical Spray...that would clear it up in no time...but all I can get is a small bottle...do you have any suggestions with someone that has a limited income how I can help him be more comfortable and not itch so much..Is 2 benadryl over the counter tablets too much/?? He keeps me up at nite, thumping and scratching..??Help...

Have you considered bringing him to a dermatologist? The general dose for benadryl is 25-50 mg 2-3 times daily. I recommend that you call your vet for an appropriate dose for your pet. vetcare

...ped a two different Skin Problems atthe same time, one of then is his neck and back have these raised crust like spots that are obvious when you stroke him and upon closer inspection the ccrust lies on red skin. This led me to discover a circular patch of hairless skin, and when looked at closely it looks scaly, its size grows at a noticeable rate, but as far as ive seen its the only patch so far. he has started to scrath himself. I have read that it may be ringworm , so far I have done nothing to medicate the cat, but I have stopped him sleeping on our bed, ( I have 3 children) he still sleeps on our sofa in the living room. Is it indeed contageous to my children and should he be isolated untill he gets better, and what treatment do you suggest. I live in Qatar (middle East) and the local vet is on hoilday now, but I can try to administer medicine myself. Awaiting your much appreciated advise Regards Anood

Ringworm is a fungus and it is common in kittens. The infected area looks like a round circle of hair loss. You can apply Miconazole, an over the counter anti-fungal cream, to the area until your vet comes back to town. I would have the children wash their hands after touching the cat to be on the safe side. Your pet needs to be seen by a vet for a diagnosis and treatemnt so when your vet comes back please make an appointment. vetcare

...have been having alot of rain lately. He started to get a soar on his nose and the he started to lose hair at the site of the soar. Next I started to see other little spots to show up on the rest of his nose, ears and hind legs. He is not scratching and it seems not to give him any discomfort. I took him to a Vet and he checked for mange and it didnt show up, also he checked for ring worm and it came up negitive also. But he stated to that the next test for ring worm would take up to 6 days and it has been 3 days so far.He gave my some antibactrial soap and Lymedip and some drops to put on his spots, and he has been on it for 3 days and it seems not to be working. I was wondering if it could something different or could be any other Skin Problems.

I would be patient and wait for the tests to come in. A rash like you descibe can be anything. It can be hard too narrow it down to one thing sometimes. If it persists and the tests are all negative I recommend a biopsy of the affected skin. vetcare

...y.Has just had a blood test to show food allergies and pollen allergies. Can something be done about the pollen/grass allergies. Please would you also tell me whether having an allergy is different to having Skin Problems i.e. does a dog itch because of an allergy and not necessarily because of a skin problem. Is there a difference? Thank you in ancicipation - Jacqueline Beer

Yes, there is a difference. There mare 100's of different skin problems one of those being allergies. Humans have itchy throats, runny nose, sneezing etc when they have allergies and dogs have itchy skin. vetcare

...since long time is having serious Skin Problems. We take her to the Vet so often - this is incredible - they do not know what it is and I am very concerned. She has red spots sometimes and in that area she looses her hair, then it will grow back in time, her skin in some parts is wounded and you can see the blood. I have tried and given everything that the Vet has prescribed and no luck, finally he told me is a blood problem... but is there any treatment, any cure for my wonderful dog. Please doctor help us. Thank You, Adita

I recommend that you get a second opinion from a dermatologist. Ask your vet for a referral. vetcare

... from Skin Problems the past 2 yrs. Last year we got her a steriod injection which I don't want to keep doing as it is not good for her longterm. She has the same type of problem now, thin hair, bald strip on her tail, flaky, itchy, scabby,she smells awful. I suspect mange, and have used Happy Jack on localized areas which helps, but it has a horrendous odor. The past week she has been drinking large amounts of water so I am wondering if it is something else? I love her to pieces, but my spouse is out of work, and I cannot afford testing and multiple mange injections. Any advice for anything I can do for her without a vet's treatment? Thank you.

It really sounds like a vet should see her to make a diagnosis. It could be mange, flea allergy or any other type of allergy. Try Benadryl 50 mg 2 x daily and a flea shampoo until you can get to the vet. good luck, vetcare

...e has severe Arthritis and heartworms that treatment has not cured. My Vet said she has outlived many of her breed now and she has many health problems however, I cannot put her to sleep and due to my daughter being diagnosed with Cancer several months ago can no longer afford to take her to the vet. She has Skin Problems of patches that flake and itch. Due to the steroids given during heartworm treatment is really over weight 140 lbs. All I am trying to do is make her as comfortable as possible. Please Help!! Is there anything I can buy over the counter and give her for her arthritis and for her flaking and itching? Thank you, I will look forward to your reply.

You can give her aspirin for the athritis. The dose is 10mg/kg 2 x daily. vetcare

...ted scent gland that is causing her pain and discomfort. She has had this condition about 3-4 times through out her her life and it usually clears up in a 2-3 weeks. This is the second bout in the last 6 months and I am afraid it is going to get worse before it gets better. I think we need a course of antibiotics but I can't afford a visit to the vet. Shadow is a healthy 40lb. pitbull/lab mix. She will be 14 years old in May but looks and acts like a youngster. She is lean and in good health. She gets regular excersize and a lot of love. Her appetite is good. Her eyes are clear. No Skin Problems either. She looks and acts healthy. We use Program for flea control. So, she hasn't had a flea in years. She just has this problem that is driving her kind of nuts. Can you help me? Thank you, Barbara

Only your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics. Maybe you can talk to your vet about having the anal glands removed so this does not happen again. In the long run it will save you $$. vetcare

...me Skin Problems on her back. From her tail to half up her back she is losing her hair and developing sores that are either bleeding or orzing from them. What is causing this and what do I need to do to clear this up??? I have flea drops to give her but am unsure if I should proceed with them....

Your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian for a diagnosis. Vetcare

...ms..skin rashes, eczema,redness of the skin.I've change his food used Hartz ant-itch hydrocortisone spray and nothing seems to be working. What should I do next. And I also bath him with a anti-itch shampoo.

Well it sounds like you tried otc medication, now it is time for a physical exam with your vet. Your pet may need stronger prescription medication. vetcare

...ent vet) with our dog's chronic Skin Problems: small pimples on back and itchy condition of skin for dog with very little flea problem. Already taking Medrol for some control, but we want a

First, you have to get rid of all the fleas. Try advantage to kill the fleas. It sounds like your pet has a skin infection which can be from a flea allergy or another type of allergy. Talk to your vet about culturing the infection so the appropriate antibiotic can be used to treat the infection. I have found that the antibiotic kelex helps with skin infections. You may want to try a hypoallergetic diet such as science diet Z/D. Good luck, vetcare

...scued' from a puppy mill. We have shaved off the matted hair; he has some bumps under his left ear that feel like scabs. He scratches it. Do Griffons have Skin Problems, or is this more likely the result of poor sanitation in the past?

Dogs can get skin infections from being matted. It probably is not anything serious but have a vet look at it to be on the safe side. Thanks, vetcare