Elizabeth, I am going thru the same thing with my older American cocker named Spice. He is 9 now and about 3 years ago he started having these issues with his skin, looks just like what yours has. At first it was a couple times a year, then it increased to just about all the time. I finally had him tested, had to drive 7 hrs to the nearest animal hospital that did allergy testing. Turns out he's allergic to just about every grass and weed out there, and dust. I have him on allergy shots now its been exactly one year since we started them. I have to tell you I almost gave up several times because he got worse at first, real bad, and I felt so bad about it. Actually he has only just in the past 2-3 months settled down, he still gets a couple spots now and then usually right after a shot, its once a month now for the shot. I also have him on a special pill, I'll have to get its name for you, but it's to prevent itching, and it really helps, because if he has a spot appear its the scratching that spreads it to other places on the body. I'll post later with the name of the medicine. I still use the medicated shampoo on him. My baby is on raw freeze dried food, a bit expensive but I'm trying everything I can to help. I also keep Spice's fur as short as I can (makes treating his spots easier) using scissors rather then clippers so as to not spread the condition, but I'm starting to think I may be able to let his fur grow back and he won't look so butchered up with the cut I've been giving him. I included a pic of his side after the allergy testing.
. She has no fleas. And since I have posted this, her rash has worsen and now she has looks like fleas bites but not really fleas bites on her. So maybe it's a reaction to the shampoo. She has another doctor appointment Thursday. So the doctor who declined her antibiotics and put her on shampoo can see this. Least with antibiotics it does clear up but. A month or 2 later it comes back. Next we'll be allergy testing. I personally am going to switch out her dog food ( well Start to ) tomorrow, to soy base and fish instead and chicken or beef. Then I'm going to switch laundry detergent from tide to maybe a dye free or a baby gentle detergent. She could have an allergy to that. ( not sure if that is possible but hey I'm gonna try everything ) last but not least if all my options still fail. She will have to get tested for allergies.
