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My puppy has itchy bumps, scabs, and hair loss. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | 35 lbs

Puppy about 4 months has clusters of hard bumps that she constantly scratches and makes bleed and scab. Patches of hair loss

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on May 28th, 2018

This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites.

First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Luna with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. advantage), then get her to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation.

If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy.

Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start her on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months.
Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting her on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 26th, 2016
This could be caused by a food allergy, parasites, a fungus or bacteria. You should take her to a veterinarian to rule out the latter three causes which can be treated with medication. Food allergy is usually treated by changing her diet to a hypoallergenic diet. If indeed it is food allergy, then eating either a novel protein or the hypoallergenic diet will improve her condition, take the itch and let her heal properly.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on December 25th, 2016
Poor Luna! There are a number of skin conditions that can cause bumps like this with excessive itching, even in an indoor cat. The most common possibilities would include allergies (which can develop over time, so this could be the problem even if nothing has changed), fleas, a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites. Treatment will depend on what the underlying problem is, so I would recommend taking Luna to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to - he/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help determine the problem and get her started on appropriate medication to treat it.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on January 13th, 2020
Those spots on Luna could be several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection, ringworm (which humans can get) or endocrine disease. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for cats, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can wash the lesions once a day with a hypoallergenic baby wipe. Also protect the area from trauma by having Luna wear an elizabethan collar at all times. If the lesions do not start improving within a week or if they are getting worse, have her examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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