Do dogs get heat rash(a.k.a prickly heat)

[Terrie]

I took Payton to the vet a few weeks ago because he had what looked to be a rash around his genital area, he's got very little fur in that area. I checked him up and down and that was the only area where it was. We just moved to a house and he's been outside a lot more than he was in the apt. so I thought that maybe he had gotten biten by something when he was laying on the patio, but it never seemed to bother him. The vet put him on 7 days of cephalexin and sent him on his way. After about a day it cleared up so I stopped giving him the meds. Last week I noticed it again, again I gave the meds and it went away, this time I had him finish the cephalexin.

I ask about heat rash because I was just reading another thread that had mentioned it. It made me wonder if that's what Payton had all along. It's been extremely damp here from all the rain we've had but not really really hot so I haven't been running AC in the house to help dry it up.

Thanks for the help

Terrie

[Judi W]

I've not heard of heat rashes, usually found on people who have covered damp areas of skin.

However, irritated areas can be because of staph, allergies.... that sort of thing. If he was being treated with staph in mind, you must do the complete course of antibiotics. If you stopped, now you do not have the correct amount left to do a full course.

[Terrie]

Thanks Judi:) He's been off of the antibiotics for almost a week now and no reoccurance. If this happens again I will be sure to keep him on the full course.

Just out of curiosity if it was staph how could he have gotten it?

My other thought was that it was something in the new house the he was may have an allergy to.

Thanks again.
Terrie

[LORHEL]

My female has had repeated trouble with staph. Here is one thread which may help.

I currently give her a fish oil capsule each day, and feed her a quality kibble.

We have not had a recurrence, lately. We also use a special shampoo once a month, that has an antiseptic in it, which helps alleviate the itching associated with it turning into staph because the pustules become infected from the dog scratching...

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...threadid=19114

[Terrie]

Thanks Lorhel! I feed him canidae along with a bunch of fruit, veggies and yogurt. I will add the fish oil and see how that works.

[LORHEL]

Just wanted to say, that I used to feed Canidae....I don't know if this could be your problem with your boy also, or not. Just watch and see if the fish oil helps.

I discontinued the Canidae after giving it several tries. It seemed to aggravate her problem. It IS a very good food, but each dog is different. I hope that helps. Its very frustrating. You may also want to see about getting a medicated shampoo. It really helps once a month.

(Rottweilers are very clean dogs, and don't need the bath near that much, but in this case, it is beneficial). :)