My dog is itching like crazy...

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

I'm hoping somebody here can help me figure out what this is.

For the past week, my dog has been itching like crazy. He's picked up the habit of scratching his head against the walls and furniture, and he's scratching himself much more than normal.

Just today, I noticed he's getting little red spots all over his body. They almost look like bug bites, but I know they're not bug bites. I can find these spots inside his ears and a few on his nose.

I tried giving him a bath this morning, but that seems to have done nothing to stop the itching.

There's not much else I can say about it. Any ideas?

[Jock Horror]

get the dog to a pet clinic... it must be some sort of allergy

[CrashG]

Could be some sort of heat rash. Did you use reg. dog shampoo or Medicated shampoo? Take 'em to the vet just to make sure.

[PNWDweller]

It might be Hot Spots which cause loss of hair and create red patches on the skin where the hair was. I second the motion with taking the dog to the vet. They can diagnose it better.

I used to have a dog that was short haired, but would get those hot spots like crazy and nothing helped except for special meds. Another thing might be fleas?

[morebaker]

Sounds like mange or scabies which is a mite infestation infestation.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange

Get the animal to a vet.

[JackBauer87]

How did I know you were in Florida before I clicked the link?

Im in Tampa. My dogs are having the same issue. Not fleas. Most likely allergies or heat rash.

Keep in mind with our weather here lately both allergies and heat rash is highly likely.

[Samboini]

If not heat rash or mites what about fleas (i'm assuming fleas are different to mites although I might be wrong). I'd take him to the vet anyway just to get a professional opinion.

[CrashG]

How did I know you were in Florida before I clicked the link?

Im in Tampa. My dogs are having the same issue. Not fleas. Most likely allergies or heat rash.

Keep in mind with our weather here lately both allergies and heat rash is highly likely.

Thats what I was thinking as well. It's been a little warm here too. Had to take my Rott to the vet the other week for a similar issue.

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

Sounds like mange or scabies which is a mite infestation infestation.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange

Get the animal to a vet.

Doesn't sound like the mange I've seen before. Maybe it's an STI?

I would say get him to the vet. He's suffering, and if it were *you* putting up with itchy red spots all over you, I'm sure you'd take yourself straight to the doctors.

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

I've been researching it a bit, and heat rash or allergies seem the most likely. It's definitely not mange though - He's not losing hair anywhere. He's been itching for about a week, but I just noticed the red spots today, and I wasn't sure what to think of it.

I'll try to take him to the vet tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help, greatly appreciate it :)