Problem with Dalton-Fleas

[katiem]

My friends dog Dalton has been scratching a lot lately, and chewing on himself and is now covered in open sores and scabs. My first thought was fleas, and perhaps a flea bite allergy, but I also told them it could be mange or a food allergy. I was attempting to scare him into rushing Dalton to the vet, but he doesn't get paid until Friday. Plan backfired.
So, I thought I'd post some pics and see if anyone else had an idea of what it could be. I still think fleas are the culprit.

This is a patch on the back of his head that he scratched raw.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/littlemustardseed/daltonhead.jpg

His bum, which he's been chewing.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/littlemustardseed/daltonbum.jpg

And his groin, which is the worst of it
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/littlemustardseed/daltonjunk.jpg

Thanks dudes!

[squashynose]

Is there any flea dirt on him? Or flakey skin?
More info Katie! :rolleyes:

[Wiztherewoz]

Yeah, flea dirt would be the biggest clue, but sometimes dogs can flare up like this after just one random flea bite if they're severely allergic.

I knew a dog that looked similar to this for a while, poor thing, but he was okay after his owner got rid of the fleas. And once he'd recovered he never had the problem again.

If the vet gives him the all-clear from mange/other sinister things, I'd get a flea comb on him every day, give him some soothing baths with some aloe and oatmeal shampoo every three or four days, and obviously de-flea him/the house/his bed etc. And a buster collar on. Which it looks like he already has. (This is just for the benefit of anyone reading who doesn't already know this stuff.;))

[katiem]

More info? You mean you can't deduce what it is from a few pictures and no description? Whats wrong with you?;)

Very flakey skin, just lightly brushing your hand over him makes him look like he's covered in potato flakes.

No flea dirt, or fleas that I can see. I think he just got bit and flared up. The same thing happens to Levon.

I feel so bad for the little dude, I was going to volunteer to pay and he could owe me, but I know I would have a hard time getting the money back, and I just can't afford that.

[squashynose]

Though you'd expect him to have been bitten before, at some point in his life. Unless this is a new allergy.
Problem is, of course, that even using prevention, he'll still get bitten. Is it a bad area for fleas?

[TIFFERS]

Honestly, most FAD (Flea Allergy Dermatitis) dogs have alopecia (hair loss) on their rump...their hips and tail base area. Cats are generally scabby and flaky around their neck. I would say if anything, Dalton looks to have an obvious skin infection. Looking at him, I wouldn't think Flea Allergic Dermatitis. It seems also that all the little scab areas look like near perfect circles, which would signify and bacterial infection. You can bathe him in an oatmeal shampoo, and also give him Benadryl (1mg/lb) to help with the constant itching.

[krazy4birds]

Poor baby!!! Tiffers advice sounds logical and accurate .... since I know nothing about this sort of thing I would have to leave it up to someone who has been there done that.
Hope he is better soon!

[katiem]

Though you'd expect him to have been bitten before, at some point in his life. Unless this is a new allergy.
Problem is, of course, that even using prevention, he'll still get bitten. Is it a bad area for fleas?

He's only 5 months old, and flea season just started here, but once it starts its crazy fleas.