Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
Hello - it is easy to underestimate the severity of skin disease, to think of it as just a rash and that a cream or similar from the shop will cure it. This is unlikely to happen so easily, especially with over the counter treatment. Between the steps of seeing a rash and giving a treatment, is another important step; working out what has caused the rash, in order to prevent it from coming back ir forming. For example, if fleas or mites are involved (and if there's an allergy you won't always see them), an appropriate flea or mite treatment is needed (one that works, not always available in pet shops); if yeast infection is involved, a treatment will be needed. If this may be cancer, a biopsy may be needed. And so on. Allergy and underlying hormones can complicate the picture a lot, as well. For this reason, a vet appointment - or indeed multiple appointments - are appropriate here. Good questions in order to maximise what you get out of your vets time, are 'what are the main things this can be?' 'How will we find which one it is?' and even, 'that sounds expensive. is there anything that we could give just to reduce the symptoms?' I know that it's not the answer you were hoping for, but I hope that something here is useful.
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