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 is my dog suddenly losing hair with bumps around his eyes?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 20 days old | 4 lbs

My dog has hair loss and bumps around his eyes

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 15th, 2018

It looks like Noel could have a skin or eyelid infection secondary to something like allergies, ringworm, or mange (a mite infection). Some autoimmune skin diseases can cause similar signs. I would recommend seeing your vet - they might want to take a sample to examine for mites or infection, then may recommend some oral or topical treatments.

37Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 27th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Based on your photo, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. These bumps may be from a bacterial skin infection or mites. If you are unable to get to a veterinarian right awsy, I would recommend using the below products which can all be found online quite easily. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

1. Douxo PS chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly

2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area until resolved.
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 1st, 2017
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You are correct in thinking that this may be a rash (caused by a bacterial or fungal infection) or an allergic reaction. However, this can also be caused by skin mites which puppies are slightly more susceptible to. I recommend having Cuddles looked at by a vet to determine the cause of this and start the appropriate treatment. Your vet can take some hair and superficial skin samples to get a better idea of what is going on. I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 28th, 2017
These bumps look like a folliculitis. This is a superficial skin infection in the hair follicles. It can be caused by allergies, topical irritation to the affected area, excessive moisture from repeated swimming if he does that, fleas, etc. I would recommend that you see your veterinarian. He may simply need a medicated prescription shampoo or possibly an oral antibiotic to clear it up. They may also be able to help you pinpoint what may be the underlying cause.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog losing hair around one eye? Allergies or other?

An allergy would likely cause more general symptoms instead of affecting just one area. Discuss any additional medications with your vet before given any. An e-collar (cone) should be used to prevent pawing. If current therapy is ineffective, consider a recheck with your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog losing hair on eyelids? Is it allergies or mites?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This could also be due to something like mites and that can be easily determined with an exam and basic cytology which your veterinarian can perform. There are medications such as Apoquel or prednisone which may help with the itch.   There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies.   Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market).   If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.   Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has hair loss around eyes and black skin. How to help?

Oh dear, poor Gidget! Some of the most common causes of hair loss and black discoloration of the skin around the eyes include allergies, ringworm, and mange. Skin discoloration can occur as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation of the skin. If Gidget is scratching at her face or rubbing it on the ground, I recommend putting an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further hair loss and also to prevent injury to her eyes that could occur from her scratching/rubbing. Otherwise, the best thing that you can do is to take her to her vet for an exam. The vet may need to perform a skin scrape (to check for the presence of the mites that cause mange) or a fungal culture (to check for ringworm). Based upon their exam and test findings, they will be able to prescribe the best medication for Gidget, whether it is an antifungal, anti-parasitic, antibiotic, or anti-inflammatory medication. I hope that all goes well for Gidget!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Help! Dog losing hair around eye with discharge and gunk buildup.

Hair loss in that area is generally due to allergies, mites or less likely and autoimmune disease. You can try giving Shadow an over the counter antihistamine to see if it helps. Wipe his eyes out daily to keep them clean. If he is rubbing the eyes, put an elizabethan collar on him to protect them. If you are not seeing any improvement, or if he is getting worse, I would recommend a vet visit. Taking care of things early is much better. I hope this helps Shadow.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my cat losing hair around her eye with discharge and bumps?

There are a multiple things that can cause hairloss in cats including bacterial infections, fungal infections (ringworm), allergies, mites, and fleas. She should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treatment. Your vet may need to do some diagnostic tests to diagnose the problem.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog losing hair around her eyes, and the skin is white?

Small amounts of hair loss at the corners of the eyes is not likely to be associated with an actual eye problem fortunately. In the absence of any itchiness, this is not something I would be terribly concerned about at this time. Keep an eye on the issue for spreading of hair loss or adversely effected eyes. If you want immediate answers to the problem, the only way to do this is with dermatologic diagnostics include skin scrapings, cytology, cultures, and/or biopsies of the areas of loss. Hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog rubbing his red, puffy eyes and losing hair around them?

Poor guy. Your pet Creed likely has an eye infection, which is commonly caused by a scratch on the cornea. I would recommend taking him to a vet soon to have this tested and treated with prescription eye ointment. You can do a salt water warm compress on the outside lid for 5 mins or so for tonight and then try and see if any places are open tomorrow for care. If not, then I would consider taking Creed to an after hours clinic or ER to get this addressed quickly so that there is further damage to the cornea. Most pets however do well as long as the eye is treated within 48 hrs of presentation. I hope that Creed's eye issues resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share