My dog has red spots, bruises, and bleeding. Could it be fleas?

Dark red blotches over the body are usually petechiae which are caused by bleeding under he skin. This is normally caused by a lack of clotting factors sometimes because of an underlying condition or more commonly, ingestion of a toxin such as rat poison. It could also be due to a rash. I would take Mcfly to the vet to get this checked out because it could be a sign of something serious. Even though he is bright it could be an issue in the early stages. Hopefully it is nothing but best to be safe.

Hello there! These could be flea bites for sure, although less likely if he is on a preventative, especially if it is the type of preventative that kills adult fleas, as well as stopping fleas from reproducing. This could be many other types of rash, as well, though, such as a bacterial rash, or even a form a bruising which occurs when the blood platelets are low. It is always a good idea to get a check up done with your vet, to be sure that there is nothing to worry about! Best of luck!

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.

It is hard to tell for sure it if both dogs have it I would be most suspicious of black fly bites, which are often just a local irritant. However, the other big concern would be petechia hemorrhages- which could come secondary to things like rat poison exposure! If they are feeling fine and were exposed to flies recently this is more likely but if they seem to feel off or had any other signs of concern it would be safer to take them in!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Murphy. Allergies are common causes of skin disease this time of year. Humans inhale environmental allergens such as grasses, weeds, pollens and molds. This results in watery eyes and a runny nose. Dogs can experience this, but they walk through and lay in the grass. Therefore, red and possibly itchy skin tends to occur on the belly and paws. Dog can also develop red spots from insect bites. Rarely a bleeding disorder can occur. In this case, small area of bruising are seen on the dog. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. He will be examined and detailed questions asked regarding his lifestyle and diet. Testing may be recommended. Based on these results treatment can be started if necessary. If he is acting ill or the spots look like bruising (your pictures are a but blurry), then he needs to see an emergency veterinarian today. I hope this information helps!

It's possible that Feli has been licking or scratching this area, causing these abrasions. This type of lesion can develop pretty quickly - even overnight. Some of the most common causes of itching include allergies and fleas. Make sure that she's regularly receiving a good quality flea preventive (Bravecto, Nexgard, Credelio and Simparica are all great prescription options, and K9 Advantix II is available over the counter). You can also give her a bath in a gentle oatmeal or baby shampoo in case there are any lingering allergens on her coat causing irritation. You certainly don't need to rush her to a vet for these lesions alone, but if they get worse or spread, then you should take her to get checked out. When dogs scratch, they can damage the protective skin barrier, which can make them susceptible to developing skin infections. I hope that she's on the mend soon!

The most common cause of these red circular spots would be biting flies. If your dog seems irritated by them you can apply a cool compress to help decrease inflammation. If the spots aren't resolving in a few days, or your dog develops red spots/bruises elsewhere on the body, lethargy, or pale gums, then a veterinary exam is recommended.