Redness on Dog's Inner Thigh: Possible Causes Explained

Pruritic eczema, often referred to as "itchy eczema," is a skin condition characterized by the accumulation of dampheat and wind pathogens within the skin, leading to red papules and an itchy, restless sensation. This condition commonly affects areas such as under the ears, buttocks, inner sides of the limbs, and the scrotum in male dogs. The affected skin may display red papules the size of grains of rice, along with blisters that leak fluid, which then crust over. Dogs suffering from this condition may become restless and excessively lick or rub the affected areas, leading to secondary infection and, in severe cases, large areas of skin necrosis. It can be easily confused with mange, a skin disease caused by external parasites, as mange is characterized by hair loss, which is not a symptom of eczema.

The management of canine eczema involves a comprehensive approach that includes identifying and removing the cause, desensitization, inflammation control, and treating the underlying condition.

Therapeutic options include antihistamines and sedatives, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at a dose of 0.04 to 0.08g or chlorpheniramine at 4 to 8mg per dose, taken twice daily for a course of 7 days. For acute cases, intravenous calcium gluconate at 0.5 to 2g may be administered, while for chronic cases, a 0.5% hydrocortisone injection of 5 to 20ml can be given intramuscularly.

Topical treatments may include hydrocortisone cream, zinc oxide ointment, or gentian violet for糜烂 areas. For chronic eczema, salicylic acid ointment or sulfur ointment can be applied. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as the modified Gancao Xiaoxin Decoction, can be taken internally and applied externally as a wash. The internal medicine recipe includes 20g of licorice root, 15g of huangqin, 30g of dangshen, 15g of ganjiang, 10g of huanglian, 10 dates, 12g of banxia, 20g of cangzhu, and 20g of yinchen. The decoction is taken twice daily, and an external wash is prepared with 12g of raw licorice root and 12g of ku shen, applied twice daily. Before bathing, the affected area should be cleaned with warm water to remove scabs. To prevent vomiting after medication, a subcutaneous injection of Avermectin at 4 to 10ml can be administered 15 minutes before the medication is given.

Scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is a highly itchy, contagious skin disease with eczematous changes. It primarily affects dogs during the winter, late autumn, and early spring. The mites are nearly circular, with a pale yellow color, a raised back, and a flat belly. Female mites are 0.3 to 0.4mm long, while males are 0.19 to 0.23mm long, and they are arachnids with incomplete metamorphosis.

After infection, dogs may exhibit papules and itching on the extremities, face, ear flaps, sides, and lower abdomen, eventually spreading throughout the body. Initially, the skin may appear red, papular, and intensely itchy, leading to bleeding and crust formation due to scratching and rubbing. The affected area may become脱毛 and thickened, with furrows forming at the base of the tail and forehead. The skin in these areas is typically dry. Dogs may become restless, with decreased appetite, and if secondary bacterial infection occurs, the affected areas may show deepseated pyoderma.

Ear mites can cause severe itching in the external ear canal, leading to excessive ear scratching, earwax secretion, and decomposition, which can cause otitis externa. Dogs may scratch, pull at their ears, shake their heads, and even have seizures. Treatment involves trimming the fur around the affected area, removing dirt and scabs, and washing with warm soap and water or 0.2% warm lysol solution. Then, the following treatments can be used:

1. Ivermectin powder (0.2% avermectin) can be administered orally at a dose of 0.1g per 1,000g of body weight, mixed evenly with food or given as a single dose, followed by a repeat dose after 710 days.

Traditional Chinese medicine formulas include:

(1) 2 parts of shechuangzi, 3 parts of sulfur, 2 parts of baicao shuang, 1 part of raw lime, and a suitable amount of tea oil. The mixture is ground into a powder and mixed with tea oil to apply to the affected area twice daily.

(2) 30g of alum, 10g of sulfur, 20g of mirabilite, 20g of Qing salt, 20g of umeboshi, 20g of hezi, 15g of Sichuan pepper. Boil for 30 minutes, then apply the juice to the affected area.

Ear drops can be used to treat ear mite infestation:

(1) Mix equal parts of Hongsheng Dan, sulfur, and alum, and 20 parts of 50% glycerin solution. Use a brush or dropper to apply the mixture to the affected ear, repeating twice.

(2) Grind dried tangerine peel into a powder, extract with ether, and dilute with 4 to 8 times more propylene glycol just before use. Apply 1 to 2ml into each ear, gently massaging the earflap. Repeat twice daily, then once every 7 to 8 days.

(3) Drop 3 to 4ml of 5% iodine alcohol into the external ear canal, then apply to the affected earflap, repeating daily for 2 to 3 days, then repeating the course after 2 weeks.