Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo
  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Petco Pay LogoBecome 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

6-week puppy: diarrhea, not eating, and skin bumps. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 11 days old | 3 lbs

My boy is 6 weeks and started noticing hes getting puss like bumps around his body and hes stopped eating aswell .also diarrhea. What could it be ?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Debi Matlack

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 2nd, 2018

I recommend getting him in to see your vet as soon as possible about the loss of appetite and diarrhea. Puppies that young can dehydrate easily and their blood sugar can drop quickly to life-threatening levels. The diarrhea could be caused by parasites, a bacterial or viral infection, or possibly swallowing something he shouldn't have, irritating the GI tract or, more seriously, getting stuck and causing an obstruction.

The skin I'm less worried about, though that can be addressed at the same visit. Many puppies develop what is called puppy pyoderma, which is roughly equivalent to acne in humans. Most outgrow it and it rarely gets bad enough to require medication, but sometimes antibiotics and therapeutic bathing is needed to help them heal more quickly.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share

Styled arrow button