Puppy with hair loss and sores? Mange? Allergy...?

I have a 10 week old GSD puppy who has recently developed hair loss and sores on her chest, belly, armpits and elbows. I first noticed the symptoms about a week and a half ago, but at that time there were only a few sores on her belly. I thought they were due to fire ant bites because she got into a bed while playing outside, but it has spread quickly and I now know that ants are not the culprit. (she did develop what I thought was a "hot spot" between her shoulder blades prior to the onset of other symptoms, however I do think that is conicidental since topical hot spot treatment has cured the problem.) She has no hair loss or sores anywhere except as mentioned, none on her face, ears or anywhere that is visible without looking at her underside (except for the elbows which look calloused). She has not yet been started on flea prevention, but I am bathing her weekly in bio spot flea shampoo and have not seen any fleas on her. She has been started on heartworm medication. The symptoms actually started very soon after the first dose (8 weeks when I first got her) of heartworm medication and the first bath in the flea shampoo. From what I have read, it resembles mange due to canine scabies, except that there is no visible signs of it on her ears or face and no odor. I am going to take her to the vet, but in the meantime I am curious as to what this could be. I have two other dogs (pomeranians) and they do not have any symptoms. Could it be the heartworm prevention or possibly the flea shampoo?

As I said, the puppy is going to the vet. (FYI, no there are not any 24 hour vets around here). Of course there is an on call emergency vet, but unless they consider it an emergency situation you have to wait for an appointment. I called my vet and explained the situation and set up an appointment for Friday. In the meantime, I was instructed to apply aloe to the affected area to help soothe the skin (no moisturizers yet as it could further irritate the skin). I also thought of the shampoo as a possible problem and will be discontinuing the baths. My other dogs are on Frontline for flea prevention, but of course I can't start it on her until 12 weeks. I have only been bathing her weekly to keep the fleas off because they are bad around here. She had a couple on her when I brought her home and got them pretty badly soon after. I do realize that excessive bathing could be a problem, but what other options are there before starting the topical flea prevention?

The pup is a bit young for flea baths. Skin could be irritated by that. Also could be a parasite. I'm not a vet, so couldn't tell you. Please take the pup in to be checked.

My dog just had an outbreak. We went to the vet and he told us that it was an allergenic skin problem. It is like the cold virus you always have it (so it can't "go away") but you can treat it with a special shampoo and it will go away for a while but return later. The shampoo is a yellow color and if I find the name I will update this.

IT really sounds like fleas, but get your puppy to the vet. That's the only way to know for sure. She may just have sensitive skin, and relatively low numbers of fleas / ant bites could do this.
She could be allergic to some product you are putting on her, too.

It is probably sarcoptic mange.
She needs to see a vet right away, the more you wait, the worse it gets and the harder it is to treat. Puppies are especially vulnerable.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS.

THE PUPPY NEEDS A VET NOW.

YOUR VET NOT OPEN NOW? MOST AREAS HAVE A 24 HOUR VET. GO!


Your d**n curiosity can wait.

Take it to the vet!

Take it to the vet!!!!

Not for sure.... but my sister just found out her lab has red mange.聽 It is in the blood, so it can not spread to her other dogs.聽 And with meds he will be fine, but without the sores will come back and he will start losing hair again.聽 It could be the heartworm meds or even the shampoo, but just to give a heads up on other possibilities.

The flea shampoo might be overdrying the skin. If this is the case, do not use Dawn soap as a flea shampoo as it will do the same. Try a different flea shampoo for puppies, preferrably with oatmeal, Vitamin E, or even try putting aloe on and see if it helps.

That sounds pretty bad... I hope you get everything taken care of.

Also, do not bathe more often than every 3-4 days.

Well first off, you should never be bathing her weekly. You are stripping all the natural oils out of her fur which will lead to skin problems. Double coated dogs really only need to be bathed once a month. Brushing her weekly will keep her fur clean and will distribute the oils throughout the coat. She may have allergies, which a lot of shepherds get (both of mine have them). Taking her to the vet is a great idea and the sooner the better.