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Jack Russell has been licking and biting an area on his front leg . Took him to the vet a year ago and they gave me a bottle of $100 pills which made him sick in the end and did not clear up the skin issue. Have been placing gauze bandages over the area but he just rips them off. Now I notice it has spread to another area of his leg. Was hoping the vet would have found out what was causing this itchy skin but they just gave me the pills. Anyone have any suggestions what could help?

What are you feeding the dog? Wonder if is a food Allergy….

I should add I have 2 small dogs and they eat the same food. I was hoping the vet would be able to find out what the source was whether it was an allergy to food or parasite etc.. The other dog is fine.

I am wondering if you see any problem with the skin like a rash causing the dog to bite at it or if skin looks normal could it be an OCD behaviour (obsessive compulsive). If behavioural maybe the dog needs more activity or stimulation? I raised 2 JRT many years ago so know how easily they can fixate on something.  
 
Does the dog have lots of things to  
Chew (bones, Kongs with frozen food etc) to keep him busy?  
 
You may have to do some training to change the behaviour.

Yes JRT are pretty amped up most of the time and this one is no different that’s for sure. I am starting to think that it might’ve been a wasp sting last year that was never pulled out properly. There was a nest under my deck and that’s where he goes sometimes and I heard a little yelp when he was under there but didn’t think too much of it at the time. I did pass this information onto the veterinarian but like I said all I got was a bottle of pills that didn’t resolve anything. Would be fairly hard to find out if it was a food allergy because he eats just about anything.

Call The Paw and ask if they can connect you with a trainer or talk with Dr Frank Nichols about the behaviour. Maybe they can give suggestions other than pills.

Hi there I am only speaking through personal experience. If it is not all over the body I doubt very much it is a food allergy. How old is the Jack? guess it really doesn't matter the age. Animals can experience joint pain and numbness just like we do. They can not tell us in words so they chew and nibble when they are experiencing joint pain and or numbness. If the pills are not fixing it then no sense taking them.

Hey peanuts thanks for your input. My JRT is 6 years old. The skin condition does not affect him in any other way he’s full speed ahead and a happy dog. I would not even be that concerned but now there is a second spot so obviously something is triggering it. I would wrap it in gauze and it would stay on for about two or three days and then it would finally fall off and he would start licking it again. It’s a cyclical thing I’m told. Tried to put on some cooked oatmeal to the area as I was informed that it’s soothing for itchy skin. So far that hasn’t really helped much because he likes to lick the oatmeal.

I can see 3 distinct dark spots surrounded by a dark red area where he has been licking and biting. Looks terrible when it’s wet. I would like to try another vet but when I call they say take him to your original vet. Well that has proven useless.

considered using coconut oil? Look it up. It is supposed to be good for dermatitis on dogs too.

Thank you John I will try coconut oil.

Interesting for sure. Myself would want a second opinion. If you are able to o would call minnedosa vet clinic. They are fantastic there and worth the drive. What were you told it's caused from?

If you have not taken him back to a vet since that first visit a year ago, I would recommend taking him to a vet. I know you didn't get a 'fix' at the first visit, but if this is your regular vet, I would consider taking your dog back to them. I do human medicine, and always recommend that my patients come back to see me if the initial treatment doesn't resolve the problem - and I really hope nobody waits a year! The diagnosis may be quite different from the original vet, since this is now a chronic problem rather than an acute one. Or if you decide to see a different vet, be sure that you know the name and dose of the medication that was prescribed, so they know what was given, how it affected the dog, and whether it did anything for the problem or not.

Sounds like a hot spot (wet dermatitis). Wash the area and trim or shave the hair, Get Gold Bond powder… it dries it up which takes the itch out. Get Sulfodene and apply with a cotton ball…not sure where to get it in Brandon, but you can search it online. I’ve had four golden retrievers over 30 years and have had treat many, many hotspots.

CBD oil

My retrievers have always been prone to hotspots. Google it and see if this is what you think it is (though visiting a vet is always a good idea)  
 
Vet recommended removing all hair from area (I find a small pair of nail scissors work best to trim all hair off the area, and slightly beyond). Then rub with rubbing alchol to dry up/sterilize a few times a day. The biggest thing is to get the dog to stop chewing in it. The trimming of hair greatly helped, giving toys to distract, or a resort to a cone if needed.