[PittiLove29]

Hi. I have a 4 month old GSD mix that has hot spots on his rear. We've had him since Jan. 22nd and the hot spots started appearing 2 weeks ago. He's been bathed 3 times with Mane & Tail shampoo and one more time last week with Hartz oatmeal shampoo. He eats Canidae lamb meal and rice dog food. Does anybody know if vets can do a test to find out what dogs are allergic to? Maybe it's something I'm doing that's causing it? I've never had a dog with skin problems, so this is a mystery to me. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Brook

 

[agility collie mom]

Yes vet's can test for allergies. We send out blood samples, the lab then develops a serum specific to your dog's allergies and provides you with a schedule of when to give the allergy shots and a list of foods that your dog should be able to eat. You will be amazed at some of the things they can be allergic to!
While you are waiting to see the vet shaving the spots and bathing in this shampoo may help..
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Tek-Pet...1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1238755293&sr=8-1

 

[Straygirl]

GSDs do not need frequent baths. They only need to be bathed monthly at the MOST. You may be causing more damage with frequent baths, depending on what the allergen is. If it is a food allergy, baths are probably only going to make things worse. If it is a pollen type allergy, you really only need to wipe him frequently with a wet cloth to try to get some of the pollen (or whatever it might be) off.

I'd also try a better shampoo with fewer chemicals when you do bathe him. Something like Earthbath (google it).

As the other poster said, allergy testing is your best bet but it is pretty expensive. Have you tried Benadryl or other allergy meds?