Why does my pet have bleeding sores and leathery skin on its back?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

I am sorry to hear about Arabelle. The most common cause of these symptoms in this area would be a flea allergy dermatitis with a secondary bacterial skin infection. We can also have hair loss due to environmental or food allergies, or endocrine diseases (such as hypothyroidism). I would recommend making an appointment for her vet to examine her as these cases often require oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication to get the infection and itch under control. You can read more about this at https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952662

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say exactly what the cause of Lulu's skin lesions may be without an exam, but some possibilities may include a fungal infection, mites (scabies or demodex) a food or environmental allergy, or evidence of an underlying endocrine disorder such as Cushing's disease or a thyroid problem. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with a fungal culture, skin scraping, and some blood work. I would recommend Lulu visit her vet soon to have the possibilities above ruled out so she can get appropriately treated.

This sounds like a skin infection and may be secondary to allergies. I would try some beandryl twice a day and a medicated shampoo like miconahex-triz. Since some of them are bleeding, I would strongly recommend to have your vet look at them as well as he likely needs oral antibiotics to help him heal. See link below for benadryl dosing. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/#

Poor Dappie! Hair loss, itching and skin irritation can be due to a number of issues, such as allergies, ringworm or mange. Any of these conditions can also lead to the onset of a bacterial skin infection, particularly since Dappie and your other dogs have been licking her skin lesions. Dappie should take a trip to her vet for further evaluation of her skin to determine the most appropriate treatment. Until you can get to the vet, be sure that she is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative (such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II) regularly because fleas could exacerbate any underlying skin issue. You can also try putting an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent her from causing further skin irritation. A bath in an antimicrobial shampoo may be helpful, but her vet will be able to prescribe more effective medications. I hope that all goes well!

This sounds quite painful for Mejo! Allergies can have a variety of causes, typically including allergies to fleas, food, or the surrounding environment. Allergies cause itching, which can lead to open sores and scabbing that can become infected and lead to further itching, creating a vicious cycle. It sounds as though Mejo needs to see his vet at this point to evaluate his skin for the presence of infection, because skin infections typically require a course of antibiotics/antifungals, and anti-itch medications or corticosteroids to control the itching. In the meantime, make sure Mejo is receiving a high quality flea preventative (such as Nexgard, Bravecto or Advantix) once a month and have him wear an e-collar (cone) to prevent further skin injury from scratching.

It sounds like Zorro is developing a skin infection - that's the most likely source of the smell and flaking. Zorro needs to be seen by the vet as soon as possible - mild skin infections can sometimes be treated at home, but with a strong odor he likely needs a course of antibiotics which needs to come from your vet. Here's an article on hot spots, or superficial skin infections. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-treat-and-prevent-hot-spots-on-dogs/