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What's causing my senior dog's random scabby sores and skin issues?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Female | spayed | 8 lbs

My Maltese has had random sores appear with scabs for the last year. Her vet said it was just age related. (She is 14) At first they would be quite small, but the last two sores were bigger. Her most recent and largest one yet being on her rib cage area. What might be causing this? Thank you so much!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 16th, 2018

Although a picture of the lesions would help to determine the underlying cause,
this is probably due to an allergy, but it could also be due to an infection or mites. Old age itself is unlikely to cause anything like you described.
First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, 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).
Hope this answer was helpful, but 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.

Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 28th, 2017

    Mites in older dogs typically indicates an underlying disease process is going on that is lowering her immune system, such as a thyroid problem, immune mediated disorder (I.e. Lupus) or even skin cancer has to be considered with any older pet. If she does have skin lesions as you say, then the best diagnostic test to do is a skin biopsy, which can determine what is causing the issue. Once the skin problem is identified, then treatment options can be explored. I would recommend going to a Nother more experience vent for a second opinion, and it sounds like she may needto go ahead and get started on a short course of antibiotics for now, if an infection is confirmed. Staff infections on the skin tends to be itchy in and of themselves. She could potentially benefit from either steroids or other immune medications to stop the itch for now until testing is done to determine if any additional treatments are needed for her.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 15th, 2017

    Poor Tina!! I am not sure all the things that you have tried but she should have a complete work up with skin scrape, cytology, culture, and a skin biopsy. If your vet has done all that they you might want to take her to a dermatologist to get an expert opinion. There is also a new allergy medication called Apoquel that seems to work very well for allergic dogs. She may need an antibiotic and/or an anti-fungal if there is evidence of an infection. You could also treat her with Revolution in case she has mites. I really hope that you can find the answer and get her treated properly.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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