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Sonny

My Siberian Husky has some dark skin on the inside of his back legs - He's in the crate all day with a fleece pad.

Sonny is a 2-1/2 year old husky. He has separation anxiety; so when I'm at work ...he's in the crate. The crate has a pad that is fleece on the side he lays on. It's inside the sunroom so he's got AC and I keep a floor fan on to keep the air moving around the room. This week the skin inside his back legs has a darker tint (more black than red). Could he possibly be getting a "heat rash" from being on the pad all day with all that hair? What should I use to treat it.


Asked by Sonny on Sep 25th 2009 Tagged husky, crate, rash in Skin Problems
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Molly

wait,wait,wait, whoa back up there....he is a crate ALL day like from morning-evening? that is NOOO life for a husky! please don't leave him inside in a crate ALL day. leave him outside with a activity to do.....like something he likes to do, leave a couple bones and toys for him to chew on. or leave several frozen kongs with peanut butter, veggies, fruit or cheese. also put a dog house with a couple blankets in it or 2 dog houses for that matter. FOR THE RASH----put some rash cream on it (i can't remember what it is called) go to the store and look for something that will heal it. also ask the store workers if you cannot find anything.


Molly answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Jet

I think that maybe once or twice a week Sonny should go into doggie daycare. Just an idea.


Jet answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Guest

How long is he in the crate when you say all day? A dog should be in a crate for a max of 8 hours and even that is pushing it for a husky. I can't even suggest leaving it outside in your yard because how big of an escape artist huskies can be and the fact people are stealing dogs from yards. You might have to seriously think if rehoming is the best option for this dog.
As for the rash is there another place to put the dog instead of the sunroom? You might have to get a special perscription from the vet


Guest 245198 answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Hailey May

No dog should have to be in a crate all day, my dogs are in a crate from 10:00pm to 6:00am thats about 8 hours, and hailey knows when its time to get out. The max for a dog to be in a crate should be 8 hours and thats still a long time for a dog to wait,it'll build up so much energy which can be a bad thing. Unles your like me and walk your dogs all the time. If I were you I would take him to a doggie daycare or i would honestly think about re-homing him, with someone that has time for him. I wouldn't put him in the backyard unles you or someone else was going to be home, because dogs get out very easly and since he is a cute and nice husky someone would probably steal him. For the rash i'd look at the store. Good Luck! Keep me posted.


Hailey May answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Ch. Chaz

In most breeds skin darkens with exposure to the sun, much as a suntan. My white poodles skin turns coal black as soon as it's clipped close on their bodies and legs in the Spring. This is normal. Perhaps he has more skin exposed since it is now Fall and most of the previous season's hair is finally done shedding???


Ch. Chaz answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Fritz

My old owner did that to me. I hated it. There were scratches inside the crate where I tried to dig my way out before wetting on myself. (I was left in there for 14 hours sometimes.) I developed separation anxiety. (My new person thinks I was anxious about being locked in a crate, not separation) My owner didn’t have time for me, didn’t take me for walks, or play with me and I was very unhappy. I was on medications but it didn’t help. She finally decided I was too much trouble and got rid of me.

I spend my days playing in the yard with Auda, we sleep in on the weekends, and I get to go on short walks all evening. I have my own dog bed and sleep inside, sometimes I sneak on the big bed for extra pets. The crate is gone and the only medications I take are for the weak sphincter muscle caused by the excessive crating.
You need to give your husky more exercise, more time, more attention, a yard, and a buddy. It's what he needs.


Fritz answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Emma

wow that's sad :( the crate should only be used for up to a MAX of 4 hours a day and even that's pushing it. take him to work like I do!

as for the rash, it could be that she's allergic to grass and it could also be the food. my grandmother's dog has that same issue and her whole stomach and legs look almost like black leather. the vet gave her a cream and changed her diet too. she's much more relieved but will always have the issue.


Emma answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Mina

Is his skin normally that color? I had a Great Pyrenees whose skin was mostly white, but on his stomach and chest he had brown spots. Might this just be his normal skin tint?

I found this in a google search:
"Calluses are typically seen in the larger breeds that regularly lay on a hard surface such as concrete. These calluses usually occur on the elbows, outer sides of the hocks, hips and legs. The skin will thicken and become gray, wrinkled and the dog will lose all hair in the affected area. The best prevention against calluses is to provide the dog with a soft, padded bed area."

from www.essortment.com

If it doesn't turn back in a few days, and there still is no apparent answer, you might want to bring him to the vet for a quick check-up.


Mina answered on 9/25/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

no I don't think that is why if it were heat rash it would be a prickly red rash that possibly in exteme heat rash have raised welts.

We have a smooth coat that has skin changes, she is darker in the warm months on her skin not sure why but her pigment changes. Maybe the fan is a bit much and is constantly cooling his skin and his skin is reacting to it. But, I would zero out the hot thing. Also just using an undercoat rake in the shedding months will help keep him cool as well.
If you feel he is too hot , then freeze a 2 liter bottle of water and place it in his crate with a towel over it. This helps and he can lay againist it to cool down.


Dieta answered on 9/26/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Sage had dark skin spots under his lite coat all his life--just pigment. It didn't change color. I would call your vet about that. I wonder if dogs get bedsores (they hurt).

Ie the crate. Cesar did an episode on that. The crate door was open. The dog had the whole room & used the crate as a den. Put the fan up where Sonny can't have an accident with it. Block access to all cords, plugs, other hazards. I hope you give Sonny a good physical workout before you leave for work. Then it would make sense to him to rest in the crate. Huskies were bred to run, so I'd use a bicycle, or find a way he can get a good run before you leave for work. If you can't or don't already do it, find someone who will. Leave toys for him. A Kong toy filled with his favorite treat might keep him busy for awhile. Cesar says not to feed them until they cool down, but he'll need food & water. If you can't wait, at least wet his muzzle. Crated all day, he could be going stir-crazy. Consider rehoming if nec


Guest 854878 answered on 9/26/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Sonny. While I agree its hard for dogs to be in crates - I also understand that a lot of that anxiety DOES come from the fun & love it has with its owner when its around. If you are putting the husky in while you are at work - that is something that is expected. Proposing that a crate is cruel enough to consider finding it a new home is preposterous!! If a dog can be empathized enough for being caged, it should certainly be thought that there is an attachment to his family as well, no doubt.

What I suggest - as an owner of a very energetic Aussie - is that in order to relieve some of the stress - make it a goal to take your dog running or walking. Even if you can take the Husky somewhere it can run while you watch. Shadow happens to be a great listener...when I dont feel like I can run with her - I let her off the leash and watch her fly around after various things - she loves it and in turn appreciates us more. One whistle and she is right back. No running - hole in new chair


Guest 930009 answered on 9/28/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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