What are these bald spots with dark crusty rings on my dog's skin?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! From your pictures I think the crusts are epidermal collarettes which are the end results of a pustule. A pustule usually indicates a bacterial skin infection. Skin infections can be from allergies due to food or the environment. Ideally oral antibiotics are used to clear bacterial skin infections. If she is also itchy then we prescribe medications to helps that as well. Below is a medicated shampoo that may help. I recommend bathing 2-3 times per week and allowing the lather to sit on for 10 mins on the affected areas before rinsing. If the skin doesn't improve I recommend a Vet exam. I wish Bella a speedy recovery! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27306

Hello. The spots look like what we call epidermal collarettes, basically a bacterial skin infection. This case looks very superficial, so I would just start bathing Shea in a anti-bacterial shampoo such as one containing benzoyl peroxide or 2-4% chlorhexidine. These are available from your vet, or your local pet retailer will have something. You will bathe him in the shampoo making sure he stays soaped up 5-10 minutes before rinsing all the soap off. Bathe him twice a week for 4-6 weeks & this should clear up the skin without resorting to antibiotics. If the condition worsens, or just does not seem to be clearing up, please see your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

The most common reason that we will see partial hair loss with a ring of crusting on the skin is a bacterial infection. Crusts can be a sign of a bacterial skin infection which is also called pyoderma. Here is an article on pyoderma. https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951996 There are a number of treatment options for pyoderma. Sometimes we can resolve them with topical treatment (antibacterial shampoos, sprays or wipes), but sometimes they require oral or injectable antibiotics. However, we still needs to look for the cause of the pyoderma. There are a number of reasons for skin problems in dogs. This article does an excellent job of describing them. You could be dealing with allergies (of various types) or external parasites (such as fleas or mites). https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-is-my-dog-so-itchy/ This is also an excellent article on itching in dogs and the possible causes and treatments. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2604 I would recommend having your veterinarian evaluate Stella to discuss your treatment options to resolve this skin problem. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Those look like pyoderma/bacterial skin infection erythematous (red) collarettes. The treatment is typically a 10 day course of prescription Simplicef (cefpodoxime) oral antibiotic, a medicated antibacterial/antifungal shampoo such as Malaseb (available on chewy.com or petco.com) every 2-3 days for 2 weeks and a topical prescription antibiotic/steroid ointment such as Dermavet. Your vet will likely be able to dispense all 3 after an exam if it is confirmed to a bacterial skin infection. Fungal infections are zoonotic/transmissible to humans and typically present as circular areas of complete hair loss that are often scaly. Good luck!

It could be a pyoderma (skin infection). See your veterinarian for an exam. He or she may diagnose bacterial or fungal skin infection and can prescribe the appropriate medication afterwards. Treatment may be topical, systemic or a combination. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement, such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps, to her diet to promote healthy skin and coat. Place an e-collar (cone) on your dog if she is licking or chewing excessively.

This presentation could be due to deep localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria technically called deep pyoderma). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

This looks like an area that was scraped and now has a secondary bacterial infection. Please clean the area with a warm wet cloth and once rinsed and dried apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. By washing it you should remove the dried up crusty skin. It may look more irritated but having it clean and open to the air it should heal more quickly. The rest of the skin looks fine. It may take several weeks or more to have the fur fill in. If you see more areas like this then an exam and skin scraping to determine the cause is in order. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Stella.