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Why is my dog scratching raw skin, losing hair after food change?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 4 months old | 75 lbs

My dog has been scratching to the point where his skin is raw bleeding and hair is falling out. He has been treated for fleas and has not had them it's mainly around in butt and all over his face. We did somewhat recently switched his food from pitons puppy to purine adult

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Anna M., DVM

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 31st, 2017

Poor Remington! It looks like Remington has a bit of a skin infection. The patch on his face appears to be superficial moist dermatitis (commonly called a "hot spot"). These skin infections are generally secondary to the dog scratching from something else. I would make sure you used a high product flea prevention (many over-the-counter options don't work very well). I prefer the oral options such as Bravecto and Nexgard, but there are many reputable topical products such as Advantix, Frontline, or Revolution as well. The scratching could also be due to allergies or (with the sore on his face) an ear infection, so I recommend having Remington seen by a vet to help determine what is causing the scratching in the first place, and to get him started on the appropriate treatment. He will likely need a course of antibiotics to clear up his skin.

In the meantime, keep all of those areas clean and dry. You may gently clean them with warm soapy water (Dawn dish soap works well), then pat them thoroughly dry with a clean towel. Hope this helps.
Vote Icon30Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Mara Howard, DVM

    Veterinarian

    I'm sorry to hear Remington is suffering from skin issues. There can be multiple causes for skin issues in dogs, including skin parasites (fleas or mites), allergies (to food or the environment), a skin infection (bacterial or fungal), or an underlying medical issue. Based on the severity and extent of his lesions, I would recommend he be seen by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his skin issues, have any necessary testing done (skin scrapings or culture), and start on any treatment that may be needed (antibiotics, anti-itch medications, parasiticide). Good luck!

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    5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Oh my he really is digging in there. You should have his skin tested at this point. An exam by your vet and skin scrape are warranted here to rule out any other causes is itching such as Demodexx mites, Scabies and ringworm (although this doesn't look like your typical ringworm).

    However I will also mention that not every flea product is effective (may want to make sure it is a vet approved one) and if he does have a true flea allergy then getting rid of the fleas isn't enough. He also needs to be treated for the allergy itself with allergy medication through your vet. A short course of Apoquel or steroids is very effective at stopping the itch.

    Also it looks as though Remington has also created a skin inferior around his left neck m. That will require a short course of antibiotics to clear (topical + oral is preferred but oral may be sufficient enough if it is at first cleaned antiseptically).
    If all of these things are done and he clears up for a few weeks then that is a good sign. However if he reverts back to the same symptoms after being taken off the medication and he is on a good vet approved flea medicine, then I would at that point entertain the thought of a potential food allergy and start him on a food trial or just go back to his other brand of food.
    Poor guy. He has a lot going on but they are all treatable things. I hope Remington is able to control his skin allergy soon. Best wishes and take care.

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    18Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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