What's causing my dog's skin irritation and bumps? When to see a vet?

Lesions that look like that are commonly bacterial infections, ringworm (which humans can get) or skin mites. A trip to your veterinarian is the best way to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment fast. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello. This looks pretty typical for an allergic dermatitis that has lead to a skin infection. Ideally, this should be addressed by your veterinarian. They can discuss possible causes (food allergy, contact allergy, flea allergy, etc) and prescribe medications which may include antibiotics for the raised lesions and allergy therapies.

Lesions like those in the pictures can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. In dogs like yours with hair loss and itchiness, one common cause can be infection by mites that can live in the hair follicles and lead to hair loss, and secondary bacterial and fungal infections that can develop. I recommend making an appointment to have your dog seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the hair loss as soon as you can. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area (taken by a procedure known as a skin scraping) and examined under the microscope to determine what kind(s) of infection may be present and to figure out what medication is appropriate for treatment. I hope that helps!

I'm sorry to hear that Trixie is also so itchy with these skin issues. Odds are good that she's likely experiencing underlying allergies to fleas, food, or something in her environment. When dogs itch excessively, they damage the outer layer of the skin and can cause skin infections to occur. That said, it's also possible that the underlying culprit of Trixie's issue could be associated with ringworm, mange, or some autoimmune issues. The lesions pictured don't look like growths to me. At this point, Trixie really needs to visit her vet for a full exam to try to get to the underlying cause so that an appropriate course of treatment can be started. Odds are good that she'll need oral antibiotics, anti-itch medications, and good quality flea prevention - potentially in addition to other medications. I hope that everything goes well!

Based on the picture it is difficult to tell if there is irritation on the surface of the skin or pigment changes underneath it. Skin lesions can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. If the area is itchy I recommend you have your pet seen by a vet to help determine the cause. The vet may 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. You can use an e-collar (cone) to help prevent your pet from licking the area, as allowing them to lick could lead to infection. i hope this helps!

It does look like Toby's skin is quite irritated! The small bumps could mean that there is bacteria in his skin (also known as pyoderma) and he should see a vet for examination and appropriate medications. However, there is usually an underlying cause for the itching and subsequent infection. The most common causes would be fleas, ticks, mites, or allergies. Allergies can be from a range of things, including flea saliva, food proteins like chicken or beef, or the environment like dust, pollen, mold, or grass. If Toby has a food allergy, he may benefit from a novel protein diet or a prescription dog food for allergies. These are good things to discuss with your vet. While you wait for his appointment, try to prevent Toby from further itching his inflamed skin to prevent further damage. You can cover him with a dog or human shirt or try to put socks on his feet. If he is licking then he may need to wear a cone/e-collar. You can try to use some hydrocortisone cream on the itchy spots, but don't let Toby lick it off!

Hi and thanks for your post! It is hard to say exactly what the cause of Skyy's skin irritation may be without examining Skyy first, but I can offer some potential possibilities. It could be a bacterial infection, fungal infection, mites, or due to an allergy to something in her environment or to a particular food. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with an exam and a few simple skin tests. I would recommend Skyy visit her vet soon to have the possibilities above ruled out so she can get the most appropriate treatment. Best to you and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!