fleas?

Loki has just finished a course of antibiotics (synulox) for a nasty scabby rash at the base of his tail... being a Norwegian Elkhound he tail sits in a knot over his back and the rash is where his tail "nests"... seems to have improved with the antibiotics... but have no idea why this has happened... the vet did check him over for fleas but could find no evidence on him or our other dog. I did notice when tickling Loki's tummy, he had a couple of what looked like bites.. so I am off to the pharmacy to treat him with Frontline... whats the best way to treat the house... I have other pets Chinchillas, lizards and a parrot.

I would just like to say to keep an open mind on this, especially as your vet has checked him over for fleas and could find none!

I have a Lhasa, who's tail flicks over and rests on his back, he had the same problem in the very same place. It kept flaring up and the base of his tail, causing nasty hot spots. After contant visits to the vet for about a year, I went to see a skin specialist, it turned out that he was allergic to Cheese!

You don't have to worry about your Chinchilla getting fleas either, it's not possible. I've had several Chins over the years and their fur is that dense fleas can't penetrate it and if they do they suffocate very quickly.

to check for fleas, dampen a white flannel or hand towel and rub it all over your dog. Any flea dirt will leave red smears on the cloth. If you can``t see any it`s not fleas.

Great tip!

Another one someone told me about, comb and empty the hair onto damp white paper (this works better with cats though) any flea dirt will spread into a red blood smear.

You can get a "hot spot" treatment that works well called:
Sergant's benedene hot spot skin remedy.

It will cure skin bacteria, virus, and fungus.
We bought ours at WAL-MART. Its safe on all puppies and dogs.

Signs of hot spots are: reddened areas, hair loss, intense itchin

Also Oatmeal based shampoos are good for relieving dry itchy areas.
Hope this helps.
Ron

Hi, thanks to all for your replies.. Loki's rash cleared up nicely after the course of antibiotics... and I have found no evidence of fleas, so I don't know what caused this.

Was he nibbling at the area at all, if so it may be anal glad problems. Elkhounds do not usually have a problem because of the tail although they do collect a load a debris in the ‘nest’ under the tail.

Hi Pita, I can see you are an Elkhound owner too... No Loki wasn't itching, nibbling at the area at all. I brush regularly so he is quite clean. The only thing I was wondering could it be caused by walking in the rain and not being dried thoroughly? Although is nearly 8 years old and not had the problem before.