Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why does my dog have red swollen bumps near her private area?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Poodle | Female | spayed | 6 years and 3 months old

My dog has red, swollen bumps between her private area and stomach. What's going on?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on July 29th, 2016

Swollen red bumps on the belly or near the private parts are most often caused by a bacterial skin infection called pyoderma. This often happens in dogs that have underlying allergy issues or other skin problems. If the bumps aren't bothering her much and she is acting normal otherwise, you can get a topical antibiotic spray labeled for dogs at Petco or online. Use this on the affected area 2-3 times daily until the bumps are gone. If there is no improvement in the rash in the next 3-5 days, or if she is itchy or painful or having any other symptoms, then I would recommend having her examined by a vet as she may need oral antibiotics or other prescription medication to treat the problem.

98Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on January 24th, 2020
Pyoderma is technically an infection caused by bacteria on the skin. Sometimes this is the primary problem and sometimes this is a secondary problem and the real cause is something like skin mites or allergies. 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 dogs, 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 (not her whole body, just the lesions). Also protect the area from trauma by having your pup 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.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 29th, 2018
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 this condition. Your vet will do a thorough exam and maybe a skin scrape. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications, shampoos, possibly give an injection.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on October 10th, 2017
Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! Poor Chloe!

Its hard to see the areas well in the pictures, but Chloe likely has a skin infection. Skin infections can be caused by yeast or bacteria and can be from allergies to food or the environment. My guess is that she is also licking the areas.

It is best to have Chloe seen by your Vet to confirm that it is a skin infection and have her started on an antibiotic or antifungal and something to relieve the irritation (prednisone or apoquel).

You can try a shampoo. Bathe 2-3 times per week and let the lather sit on the affected areas for 10 mins before rinsing.

I hope this helps! I wish Chloe a speedy recovery!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27307
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 13th, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your photo and the description I would suspect that this is a bacterial skin infection know as superficial pyoderma. I would recommend using the following treatments, which can all be found online quite easily. If there is no improvement or the bumps worsen, I would recommend having them looked at by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment and diagnostic recommendations can be made.

1. Douxo PS chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved
2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to affected area twice weekly until resolved

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns that I may help you with!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why does my dog have red bumps on his belly and under his chin?

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask 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 to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has red pus-filled bumps on her stomach after mud. What to do?

Bella could have a skin infection if she has red pus filled bumps all over her belly. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain, so I do recommend that she sees a vet for this today or tomorrow. The vet can diagnose what is causing these bumps and can prescribe medication to treat it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has little bumps on her belly. What are they and what to do?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why does my dog have itchy bumps on stomach and dark ear spots?

This redness indicates inflammation and is usually itchy. This is often due to one of two conditions. 1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/ 2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's good to check her for fleas and get treatment if needed. This pattern is more suspicious of mange, which is a mite infestation. A veterinarian can check for these mites and prescribe treatment. One thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. Below is a link with more helpful advice for relieving the itch. https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ I hope this helps you to identify the problem. If not, then it would be worth taking her to the vet. We can usually discover the cause quickly and provide the best treatment.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has red spots on his tummy near private area. What should I do?

It looks like there may be a small skin infection (called pyoderma). You can use a medicated shampoo like Dechra Malacetic Ultra Otic, but if it doesn't look better in 72 hours, your pup may need oral antibiotics to clear the infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my dog have red itchy bumps on his stomach and legs?

Hi! It looks like Riley may have a skin infection- they commonly occur on the stomach area. Typically they're caused by bacteria or yeast, and can be secondary to allergies, so that would explain the itchiness. I'd take him to your vet, they may want to examine his skin to figure out what kind of infection, and recommend medications for the infection and the itching.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has red inflamed bumps on her stomach. When should I see 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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share