My Yorkie has crusty spots, blackheads, and pimples. What to do?

Without seeing a picture it is hard to say what they are. Yorkies can commonly have allergies that can lead to a skin infection and small pustules on the skin. They can also have adenomas that are benign skin growths that occur and appear as small warts about the size of pencil erasers. Pustules can be a sign of an infection and require antibiotics. Adenomas are typically removed if another procedure is needed and they are already under anesthesia. They are not worth anesthesia just for themselves.

Poor Roscoe! Allergies are possible but a more common cause would be skin mites (which you can only see what a microscope). Ringworm (which humans can get) or a bacterial infection are also possible. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian who can preform a simple test to check for mites. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Lexie Rose. Small pimples with pus that develop are called pustules. These are caused by a normal bacteria that lives on her skin (Staphylococcus pseudointermedius). This bacteria is NOT contagious to other dogs or to people. It's hard to say exactly what caused this and you may never know why. The important thing is to monitor them and make sure they resolve. You can warm compress them and try to encourage them to rupture/drain. If more of these lesions develop or you notice other signs (itching, scratching, discomfort, etc), I would advise that you have your veterinarian evaluate her. Your vet can then discuss how to proceed. In the meantime, warm compress and buy some medicated shampoo at your local pet store. Good antibacterial shampoos contain benzoyl peroxide and will be under various brand names. These shampoos are great with breakouts like this or worse. Good luck with Lexie Rose.

This looks like a staph skin infection. I suggest you use these medicated wipes on the affected area twice a day. If no improvement (or only minimal improvement) after 7-10 days of treatment then you should have Abby to your vet for an exam. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-5393-douxo-chlorhexidine-3-ps-pads-for-dogs-and-cats-30.aspx )

I would recommend that Rosco be examined by a vet to determine the cause so that he can receive appropriate treatment. Possible causes of these lesion and hair loss and itching include fleas, mange, lice, infections (bacterial or yeast), ringworm, allergies (to fleas, foods, or the environment), among others. The vet will do a thorough physical exam and discuss the recent history, and may do skin scrapings or cytology to look for parasites or infection.

I am so sorry to hear that Jacob is having trouble with his skin. Though it is difficult to know the initial cause it now looks from the pictures you have provided that Jacob has a case of moist dermatitis or "hot spot". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. These spots are often started by something else, for a console fleas, skin allergies, mites, and as Jacob bites and scratches at the sea he causes tissue damage and introduces infection. The keys to a successful healing process are; Treating the underlying cause- for example fleas clipped area around the sore Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth) Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing An e-collar to prevent Jacob from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size. If you feel like Jacob is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet, for the above prescription medications. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process. I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Jacob. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.

This could be a cyst, an infection, plaque or even a skin tumor like a melanoma. Masses that grow suddenly, change in color/size/are painful are more concerning than those that do not change. The only way to know for sure what this mass is would be for your veterinarian to do an exam and potentially biopsy it. I do not recommend applying any ointment or other medication yet as it could be harmful depending on what it is.