Pearly bumps on my Chihuahua's belly: are they milia or need a vet?

I'm wondering if the 'pimple' in the first picture is potentially part of her spay scar and a suture reaction if she was recently adopted and spayed. You may be able to feel some 'firm' tissue beneath this area if that is the case. It's also possible that this is a small skin mass that has become infected. Dogs can develop milia, but milia are most commonly seen when there is excess cortisol due to a disease like Cushing's. The milia do not typically require treatment but the underlying disease does. Cushing's is common in middle aged to older dogs and other signs include increased thirst, hunger and urination. I think it would be a good idea to have a veterinarian examine her skin to make sure treatment for an infection isn't necessary, and to discuss testing for Cushing's disease if she is showing any other signs.

I suspect that these are little bumps are due to a bacterial infection (pyoderma). Puppies commonly get this on their bellies and they usually go away with good cleaning. I recommend cleaning the belly with a medicated wipe or shampoo (can get this at the pet store) once a day until the bump(s) are gone. If it seems to get worse, then you'll want to take Mia into the vet for an exam. Below is a link to an article with more information about pyoderma. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyoderma-in-dogs Please note that I cannot be sure this is the problem without actually examining Mia, so your best option is to have a vet evaluate her, so they can definitively diagnose it and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. I hope that helps and all is well with Mia.

Skin lesions like these can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. Sometimes puppies like Palmer can get a type of “puppy acne” along the belly as well. If the lesions do not start to go away in the next week, or if they start getting worse, I recommend making an appointment to have Palmer seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the bumps you’ve noticed and to make sure they are treated appropriately. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area under the microscope to determine if there is an infection and to figure out what medication is appropriate for treatment.

It looks like that left lower mammary gland is swollen from the photos although it is difficult to say for sure. The other "zit" looking things are pustules and could be the start of a bacterial infection of the skin or they could be plugged hair follicles. I think you should get her to your vet for an exam especially if that mammary gland is swollen. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

From the picture, it looks as though Ruby may have some pustules on her abdomen. These most commonly occur as a sign of a bacterial skin infection, which could occur secondary to excessive licking or chewing, allergies (although this would be highly unusual in such a young pup), or other issues. I do recommend taking Ruby to her vet for an exam, but this is not an emergency that necessarily needs to be treated this weekend. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Ruby!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bella. This looks like puppy pyoderma, which is a skin infection that can be common in puppies. This is because their skin is extra sensitive. I would take her the vet. The vet can confirm she does have puppy pyoderma, and can prescribe medication to treat it. I hope this helps!

These appear to be little pus-filled bumps that occur due to a bacterial infection (pyoderma). Puppies commonly get this on their bellies and they usually go away with good cleaning. In an adult dog this can happen when they are in contact with something that irritates the skin and sets up an environment for infection. I recommend cleaning the belly with a medicated wipe or shampoo (can get this at the pet store) once a day until the bump(s) are gone. If it seems to get worse, then you'll want to take Calamity Jane into the vet for an exam. Below is a link to an article with more information about pyoderma. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyoderma-in-dogs I hope that helps and all is well with Calamity Jane.