Dr. Floore

Dr.Tail Vet

It sounds like your dog is experiencing significant discomfort with excessive itching and hair loss, particularly around the back legs and anal area. There are several potential causes for these symptoms, including allergies, parasites, infections, and dermatitis.

Allergies can be triggered by various factors such as certain foods, environmental elements like pollen or dust mites, or even flea bites. These allergies often lead to itching and can result in hair loss due to excessive scratching or licking.

Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, can also cause intense itching. Even if the flea collar didn't stay on, it's possible that fleas or other parasites are still an issue.

Infections, whether bacterial or fungal, can cause skin irritation and hair loss. These infections often require specific treatments, such as antibiotics or antifungal medications.

Dermatitis is a general term for inflamed skin, which can be caused by allergies, infections, or irritants.

Here are a few steps you can take at home to help manage her symptoms:

First, consider flea control. Since the flea collar didn't stay on, you might want to use a different form of flea prevention, such as topical treatments or oral medications. Ensure your home and any other pets are also treated for fleas to prevent re-infestation.

Regularly bathing your dog with a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo can help soothe her skin and remove potential allergens. It's important to avoid using human shampoos as they can be too harsh for dogs.

Consider whether her diet might be contributing to her symptoms. Sometimes, switching to a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet can help if food allergies are suspected.

Using an Elizabethan collar (cone) can prevent her from licking and chewing the affected areas, which can help reduce further irritation and allow her skin to heal.

Given that these symptoms have been ongoing for a couple of weeks and are causing significant discomfort, it would be best to consult a veterinarian. They can perform tests to determine the exact cause and provide appropriate treatments, such as medications for allergies, infections, or other underlying conditions.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.