My dog has blackheads, lumps, and hair loss. What can I do to help?

Dogs can get blocked pores and blackheads, or what we medically call comedones These typically can be treated with a benzoyl peroxide based shampoo (i.e. Duoxo shampoos). In most situations these are benign, but it is always a good idea to have your vet do a general health exam on your pet to ensure no other underlying disease processes are occurring as well. Pets with hypothyroidism can be prone to this condition. Your vet can also provide an appropriate shampoo to help keep pores healthy. Adding an omega 3 fatty acid for pets can also help improve skin health. Best of luck.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From what you are describing these sound like comedones, or clogged pores. A comedone is similar to a pimple, in that it is a collection of oily material in a pore. It is black because of exposure to oxygen and accumulation of debris. Comedones may be a sign of a skin issue such as mites, or over-secretion of oils, but they can also be signs of an underlying hormonal disease such as Cushing's disease. As long as they are not irritating to your dog, there is no need to try to get rid of them. Comedones may be reduced by use of benzoyl peroxide shampoos, which have “follicular flushing action,” the ability to go down inside pores and hair follicles and remove foreign material. I recommend contacting your regular veterinarian who may recommend a medicated shampoo, and/or may recommend that your dog be seen for an exam and bloodwork to evaluate for any underlying diseases that may be related to his/her comedones. I hope this is helpful!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Judging from the pictures I suspect what you are seeing are blackheads. I would recommend using a shampoo called Dermabenz to help remove these. You can find this shampoo online quite easily and bathe twice weekly until resooved. If the condition does not improve or it worsens then I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello, thank you for using Petcoach (now Boop). For comedones you need a follicular flushing shampoo - one that contains benzoyl peroxide (NOT hydrogen peroxide). Like this one: ( https://www.chewy.com/dermabenss-shampoo-dogs-cats-horses/dp/112479 ) Bathe every 3-4 days. Lather and let it sit on him for 5-10 minutes. The contact time is very important or it won't work. The longer you can leave it, the better. It will take a few weeks before you notice much improvement. Once the comedones have resolved, you can continue using this shampoo for maintenance (like once every 10-14 days). I'd also recommend you get him on a good skin support supplement like Missing Link: ( https://www.chewy.com/missing-link-skin-coat-powder-dog/dp/41245 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It sounds like your dog has a skin infection. Usually infections are characterized by small red pustules full of pus. But sometimes they can look like whiteheads or blackheads, also known as comedones. Your dog will likely need a medicated shampoo to help flush out his hair follicles that have become clogged and often times need antibiotics to help the infection cleared up. There is a chance as well that this may not be an infection but maybe small cysts that are present. If this is the case usually no treatment is needed. A picture for reference would help us determine if an infection is present or if it is just a cyst. I hope this helps. Thanks For using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Comedones, or blackheads, are common in certain breeds. Usually, minor cases can be treated topically at home using a shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide. Cleansing the area daily with witch hazel can help as well. If they persist or worsen, you may need to have Sandy examined by her veterinarian to diagnose bacterial infection, endocrine imbalances or other medical conditions that may be predisposing her to developing blackheads.

Hi and thanks for posting! Thank you for sending along a picture as well. From your picture, it looks to me like comedones or otherwise known as blackheads which occur when the hair follicle becomes clogged. Usually these can be treated with certain medicated shampoos that contain benzoyl peroxide in them to help flush out the follicle. Be sure to purchase these shampoos from your veterinarian as dogs can be especially sensitive to human shampoos and other human hygiene products. I hope this helps!