Dog's loss of hair and irritated skin

Question

My boyfriend's chow-rottweiler-lab mix (about ten years old) has been having some problems with his skin. Lately its to the point that the top of his rump, his tail, and the insides of his legs have lost most of their hair (though I partially attribute this to chewing.) His skin has patchy pink on it, and some scabs. I have tried to give him a bath every week to clean it up (I use oatmeal shampoo) but when I thought it had cleared up I slacked off, and it turns into this brown buildup on his skin, like skin oils mixed with dandruff and dirt. It was manageable over the summer (we thought it was just allergies) but has actually gotten worse since winter came.

Is this allergies to something inside, or a skin infection, or something else? What would be the best way to manage it, or treat it?

He eats Pedigree adult dog food, and two big tablespoons of pumpkin puree (for the fiber), and has been taking Brewer's yeast tablets since he was small.

Rebeccagliserman · Answer

Our dogs have had the dark skin patches and grows to cover wide areas. Recently got another little one and he is now developing this darkening of skin and itching like crazy. One of the others was treated with ketoconazole and it did help immensely but it is returning.

Rebeccagliserman · Answer

Our dogs have had the dark skin patches and grows to cover wide areas. Recently got another little one and he is now developing this darkening of skin and itching like crazy. One of the others was treated with ketoconazole and it did help immensely but it is returning.

tbiM20 · Answer

Sorry it's been so long since a reply. Update: he's doing much better. I started him on a corn-free food (side note: other dog apparently sensitive to corn), and he's taking Omega 3-6-9 pills, Spirulina Wafers, glucosamine tablets, and "Fresh Factors" from Springtime Inc. The skin issue is gone, and we're expanding the dog food budget to an even better food to see if it improves him further.

Margot49 · Answer

Agree with Jarla. That's what it sounds like.  Are you seeing fleas? Get a fine toothed comb and put it slowly against the lay of the coat so you can see Diwn to the skin, look for fleas and flea dirt.  If you suspect fleas, you need to do flea treatment inside and outside and treat the dog. If that is the case, I suggest you contact your Vet and get the dog on a monthly oral medication.
Agree also to get him on a better food.  Try to find a grain free food with Omega 3 in it.  Do a gradual transition over a few days mixing old and new food.