Question 1. Is the condition localized?
Yes. The skin condition is probably a result of dry skin, allergic skin reaction, contact dermatitis rash, spider
or insect bite, or localized burn injury. More Information
No. The skin condition may be generalized
contact dermatitis, sunburn, multiple spider or insect bites, allergic dermatitis, eczema or skin disorder, dog itch, or skin infection that has spread. If the condition spreads or there are signs of infection contact your Veterinarian.

Question 2. Is the skin bleeding?
Yes. The skin condition is probably resulting from dog itch or scratch irritation, chapped or dry skin that has
cracked open, allergic  substance itching, severe burn, spider or insect bites that have been itched or are infected, rash itch, or skin infection. Contact a Veterinarian if bleeding is generalized, per fuse or their are signs of infection. More Information
No. The skin condition may be less severe burn, rash, skin allergy, bug or spider bite, or dry skin that has not
been irritated by itching or scratching or is infected. Monitor for signs of infection, spread or lack of healing.

Question 3. Is the condition spreading?
Yes. The skin condition is probably generalized contact dermatitis, allergic reaction to an irritating or poisonous substance, insect or spider bites, eczema or skin disorder, rash irritated by scratching or itching, or a generalized infection. Contact your Veterinarian if the condition spreads or there are signs of infection. More Information
No. The skin condition is probably localized and result of dry skin, allergic skin reaction, contact dermatitis rash, spider or insect bite, or localized burn injury.

Question 4. Is the skin dry or chapped?
Yes. The skin itch is probably a dry skin itch, scalp itch, crusting or drying contact dermatitis, or healing skin injury (i.e. sunburn) If skin is dry apply a high-quality moisturizer. More Information
No. The skin is probably not dry skin itch, scalp itch, localized contact dermatitis or healing skin injury.

Question 5. Is the skin dry or flaky?
Yes. The skin condition is probably dry or chapped skin, eczema, psoriasis or skin disorder, drying rash, allergic itch, healing contact dermatitis, or healing skin injury (i.e. sunburn). If skin is dry apply a high-quality pet approved moisturizer. If the condition persists contact your Veterinarian. More Information
No. The skin condition is probably not dry skin itch, eczema, psoriasis, drying or flaking rash, healing contact
dermatitis, bug or spider bites or burn injury.

Question 6. Do other pet health problems exist?
Yes. Symptoms may be the result of other pet conditions like: cancer, tumor, skin disease or disorder, cysts, lesions or auto-immune disorders. Pet disorders or diseases may manifest topical skin conditions or symptoms. If your pet as a formal diagnosis discuss symptoms with your Veterinarian. If other health
conditions may exist contact your Veterinarian. More Information
No. The skin condition may or may not be directly related to an pre-existing condition. If in doubt
see a Veterinarian

Question 7. Does the skin look infected?
Yes. If the skin appears infected: is red, painful to the touch, oozing, smells, is not healing, or has red streaks radiating away from broken skin see a Veterinarian immediately. More Information
No. The skin itch is probably not infected and the symptoms should subside over time. Always monitor
the skin for signs of infection. If skin itch subsides and skin heals (symptoms improve) it is probably not infected.

Question 8. Does the pet appear sick? (nauseous, weak, excessively warm, short of breath, vomiting, diarrhea)
Yes. See a Veterinarian immediately. More Information
No. It is probably not a major illness associated with infection, or severe allergic reaction.
If in doubt See a Veterinarian immediately.

Common Pet Skin Condition

Allergic Contact Dermatitis
A pet allergy is a term that represents a reaction to a irritating substance (allergen) by a select group of people and does not effect others who are not allergic to it. Only small quantities of an allergen are necessary to create a allergic reaction. Contact allergic dermatitis usually occurs when a allergen comes in contact with
the pet's skin rather than internally produced. The first contact does not always result in a allergic reaction; often the pet has been able to come in contact with the irritant without an adverse reaction.

Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to a substance or material in contact with the skin. It typically reacts several hours after contact with irritant and calms down over some days assuming the skin is no longer in contact with it.

Allergic contact dermatitis is different from irritant contact dermatitis caused by skin contact with irritating substances. Common irritants include soaps, detergents, solvents, acids, alkalies, and other chemicals. Irritant contact dermatitis can affect anyone, assuming they have had enough exposure to the irritant.

Features of Dermatitis

Dermatitis is generally restricted to the area of contact with the allergic substance, however severe cases may become generalized beyond the original contact area. Allergic irritants, like poison ivy or oak can be spread to other areas of the body by touch. It is unlikely that dermatitis exists if the affected skin area is not reactive to an known irritant. Affected areas will be red, swollen, blistered, dry, bumpy, or itchy.

Examples of Dermatitis

• Reaction to plants: grass, shrubs, poison oak, ivy, sumac..
• Reaction to home furnishing materials: carpets, blankets, or bedding.
• Reaction to household chemicals: solvents, peticides, floor cleaners, dishwashing soaps.
• Reaction to pet products: plastic toys, rubber, stuffed animals.
• Reaction to pet shampoo, flea dip, flea collars, topical flea treatment.

Dog nutrition is critical for the longevity of your dog. Proper balanced pet diets increase the life-span of your dog. Avoid cheap dog food that is made primarily from cereal grains and not meat or meat by products. Go to:Proper Dog Nutrition

Proper physical examinations are important for the health of your dog. Physical examinations help "screen out" common genetic and health conditions for pet may carry. Go to:Physical Exam for your Pet

Vaccines are frequently considered safe for dogs. However, there are common side effects and potential hazards associated with some vaccines. Knowing the potential side effects and health risks associated with vaccines is important as a pet owner. Go to:Dog Vaccinations

Pet owners should regularly de-worm their pets. Dogs can develop worms from contact with a number of different sources within their environment. Insects, feces, and food can contain worm larvae. Go to:Worm Care for Pets

Pet Rash

Rash Tips
1. Pet rashes are typically caused by an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis.
2. Rashes usually begin within 48 hours following pet contact with an irritating allergic substance.
3. Rashes symptoms include: skin redness, bumps, blisters, and swelling.
4. Allergic reactions can be caused by: plants, soaps, detergent, shampoos, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, cloths, new objects in homes, latex gloves or other skin irritating substances.

Poison Ivy-Oak: Contact Dermatitis Treatment

1. Poison ivy, oak, or sumac rashes usually begins erupting within 48 hours following contact.
2. If your pet is exposed, wash areas immediately with cool water and soap for 10-25 minutes to remove oils.
3. Apply Pet RashRx to affected areas. Apply as directed.
4. Apply wet compresses or give you pet a bath in cool water to relieve symptoms.
5. Re-apply Pet RashRx to affected areas as needed to control symptoms. Apply as directed.
6. If rash symptoms are severe or persist contact your Veterinarian.
7. Use approved pet creams, gels or ointments to moisturize skin.

Pet Eczema, Psoriasis Treatment

1. For dry and flaky skin use high quality pet approved moisturizers to rehydrate skin and reduce cracking.
2. Attempt to identify pet allergies and attempt to avoid them.*
3. Control pet scratching and itching if possible.
4. Stop or change use suspect substances like: pet shampoos, foods, access to plants, and other potentially irritating substances.*
5. Apply Pet RashRx to affected areas. Apply as directed.
6. Monitor pet skin rashes for increased spread or signs of infection.
7. Seek Veterinarian attention if skin becomes bloody or infected.
8. Re-apply Pet RashRx to affected areas to control symptoms as needed. Apply as directed.

* Use the process of elimination. Consider new substances that have been introduced within your pets environment within the last 7-10 days prior to the rash appearing. Consider changes to your pets lifestyle that are out-of-the-ordinary (i.e. hiking, travel, new foods). Attempt to rule out suspect substances based on new products introduced within your pets environment. This may take some time as rash symptoms will not subside immediately.

Pet Itch

1. Pet itch can be caused by a number of reasons: contact dermatitis, allergies, dry skin, or sunburn.
2. Control itch symptoms by moisturizing affected area with pet approved lotions or moisturizers.
3. Apply Pet Itch Rx to affected area. Apply as directed.
4. Attempt to isolate and determine reason(s) for pet itch: allergies, dermatitis, dry skin, or sunburn.
5. Re-apply Pet Itch Rx to affected area as needed to control itch and promote healing. Apply as directed.
6. If pet itch does not subside or redness, swelling, or irritation persists see a Veterinarian.