Why is my dog's belly red, itchy, or bruised? When to see a vet?

It is very difficult to tell from a photo exactly what is going on here. I am concerned if these areas could be bleeding under the skin. From the photos the areas don't appear raised which is why I am concerned they could be this type of bruisng, also called ecchymosis. If you press your finger onto the area and remove it, and there is not a white spot, then this is a sign this is ecchymosis and your dog should be seen right away because it could have a bleeding disorder. If you press against the red area and when you remove your finger it blanches (turns white) and then turns red again, then it is less concerning in terms of the urgency of being seen and is more likely an actual skin issue. If the area is raised or crusted then this could be inflammation due to infection with bacteria or yeast. We can have immune system over-reactions that can result in red inflammed areas of skin. We can also in more rare cases see cancers that can affect the skin. A vet can examine the skin and determine what testing may be indicated- this could include cytology of the skin, culture of the skin, biopsy, or bloodwork depending on their exam findings. Best of luck to you.

Hello, and thank you for your question. Poor Skye. My guess is this is a severe allergic reaction as well as secondary bacterial infection of the skin. If ointments and benadryl are not helping, she will require stronger, oral medications, to control the inflammation and treat the infection. This will require a visit to the veterinarian. I would recommend this visit within the next 12-24 hours, given how uncomfortable this looks for Skye. In the meantime, you could try giving Skye a bath with a gentle aloe and oatmeal type of shampoo, just to give her some temporary relief, and hope to wash off any surface allergens that may be irritating her skin. Rinse off the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water afterwards, and pat dry (don't rub). I hope this helps, and your little girl is feeling better soon.

Based on the picture I am Concerned that this may actually be bruising (however pictures do have their limitations). If this is bruising and there is no known trauma then I would be very concerned about a bleeding disorder or exposure to rodenticide which can be life threatening. If this is a rash then she is probably pretty uncomfortable and she would likely benefit from medication to decrease his itchiness. Either way I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but my two top guesses would be that this is superficial pyoderma (a common condition for dogs in which normal bacteria or yeast get out of control and cause sores/pimples/red moist spots) or it could be true bruising, which would indicate a clotting issue with her blood. It's easy to tell the difference in person (or it could certainly be something else as well - pictures don't always tell the full story) and the treatment/testing required is entirely different, so I would recommend taking her to the vet ASAP. As long as she's not lethargic and has normal appetite then waiting until tomorrow should be fine. The exception to that advice would be if you're sure or highly suspicious that it's really bruising (ie you look at her in 10 minutes and see a bruise popping up everywhere you held her lightly for these pictures) - if it's definitely bruising, go to an emergency clinic if possible. I hope that helps with decision making for tonight. Wishing you and Chasee the best of luck and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chewy. Yes, this area does appear to have a bruise. However, bruising is not common in dogs and can indicate a bleeding disorder. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian today. Bloodwork should be tested. I hope this information helps!

Hello, Its hard to give you definitive advise, because this could be nothing or something. Most likely, t could also be a simple insect bite or minor trauma that resolves on its own within a couple of days. However, I'd recommend monitoring that bruise for any changes and the rest of his skin and gums for new bruising or bleeding. Mysterious bruises can be a sign of blood disorders. If Charlie experiences any additional bruising, bleeding, or changes in appetite or behavior, I'd recommend taking him to the vet right away. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for a skin exam. Your dog could be suffering from an allergy, mites, fleas, a bacterial or fungal infection. each of these requires a different treatment, so it is important to find out what is causing the itch. Your vet will do a thorough exam and maybe a a skin scrape. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications, possibly give an injection to stop the itching.