My dog Pepper, has been scratching and biting his fur off in several areas including around his genitals, underneath his tail, his hind legs and he's now missing patches of fur behind his ears where he has scratched so much. Last night I was looking to see if it could be fleas when I noticed there were at least a dozen red bite-looking marks on the underside of his belly, could this be why he is scratching so much? I don't think it's fleas because we have another dog and three cats, and they aren't acting this strange nor scratching patches of fur off. What could this be? I've been thinking it's mange or some type of allergy. My mom is worried as well, but right now we can't afford to take him to get veterinary care.
http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/m...=pepper005.jpg
http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/m...=pepper003.jpg


The links are of pictures of Pepper's patches of fur and bite marks.

[CorkyMax]

[QUOTE=kenzieekaabaam;70547]My dog Pepper, has been scratching and biting his fur off in several areas including around his genitals, underneath his tail, his hind legs and he's now missing patches of fur behind his ears where he has scratched so much. Last night I was looking to see if it could be fleas when I noticed there were at least a dozen red bite-looking marks on the underside of his belly, could this be why he is scratching so much? I don't think it's fleas because we have another dog and three cats, and they aren't acting this strange nor scratching patches of fur off. What could this be? I've been thinking it's mange or some type of allergy. My mom is worried as well, but right now we can't afford to take him to get veterinary care.
pepper005.jpg picture by Kenziebaybee - Photobucket
pepper003.jpg picture by Kenziebaybee - Photobucket
I am going to quote about flea allergy dermatitis from my home vet book. There are a lot of dif. allergies besides flea--like inhaled allergens such as dust mites, grasses, molds, tree and weed pollens (canine atopy). There are also those caused by foods and drugs (food allergy). I can not write all of what is in this book so am just concentrating on the flea allergy. Before I quote, just because your other pets are not acting the same way only may mean that they aren't allergic to the flea bites. QUOTE:
This is the most common allergy in dogs. It is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to one or more substances in the saliva of fleas. Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction of both the immediate and delayed type; ITCHING BEGINS IMMEDIATELY AND TENDS TO PERSIST LONG AFTER FLEAS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. Symptoms are worse in midsummer during the flea season. However, dogs that live in the house may suffer all year long.
----Flea allergy dermatitis is characterized by severe itching with inflamed skin and red pimplelike bumps (papules) found where fleas are heavily concentrated---over the rump and base of the tail, under the legs, on the groin and belly. Dogs chew and rub at these areas. Hair falls out and the skin becomes dry and scaly. In some cases the skin breaks down and develops raw areas that become crusted and infected. In time,the skin becomes thick and darkly pigmented.
----The diagnosis can be suspected by finding fleas on the dog and seeing the characteristic skin rash. Check for fleas by standing your dog over a sheet of white paper and brushing the coat. White and black grains of sandy material that drop onto the paper are flea eggs and feces. An allergic response to flea saliva can be demonstrated by an intradermal skin test. End of quote.----You can also buy a little flea comb (has fine prongs) and comb over your dog--If there are fleas--you should see them this way!! Prob. can get at a Walmart store or any pet store. I also think if you find specks on the paper and you drop them in water--think they will turn red if I remember right. Please check for the fleas---and if that is not what it is---Come back with an answer here and I may find other info if that isn't what it is--But please let me know what you figure out--1 way or the other! Okay?

[TotalTag]

In addition to an allergy to fleas or something else, it could also be from flies biting him.

Another suggestion since you said you can't afford a vet bill right now. There are some non-profit organizations that help pet owners who can't afford to pay a vet bill. Some of these organizations have vets who volunteer their services, so you may want to do a search in your area to see if there's a non-profit organization such as this near you.

Thanks! We're going to get the dog's and cat's flea collars tomorrow morning.
I also read somewhere that feeding the dog garlic will lessen the fleas, and we tried that while we waited for a reply and he's been scratching less.
From what you described, I think he's allergic to the flea saliva, it sounds almost exact to what's going on.
Thank you so much!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by kenzieekaabaam

Thanks! We're going to get the dog's and cat's flea collars tomorrow morning.
I also read somewhere that feeding the dog garlic will lessen the fleas, and we tried that while we waited for a reply and he's been scratching less.
From what you described, I think he's allergic to the flea saliva, it sounds almost exact to what's going on.
Thank you so much!

Danger of Chemical Pest Control Products - safe alternatives
'from the frying pan into the fire'---so to speak!! Flea collars are poisonous and I would not use them--some dogs have died from them--not good for dog or human (esp. young children) to be around! Please put the above in your browser (If the above address turns up 'blue' in this post--just click on it, otherwise just insert by hand in your browser---also much more you can read on net--Put words: flea collars/reverse reactions in your browser.

Just came back in here to tell you--some very good info on flea prevention (what to use!) right here in this forum--2 pages of posts! Go to top of page--find the blue strip across page--find white word: Search--click--Put word fleas in box and leave on find all threads--click--Scroll till you find the thread started 5/22/09 by damienpatrick titled Fleas!