Why is my dog's neck skin loose and wrinkly after a haircut?

Some dogs can naturally have very loose skin. However, if you feel that this is a sudden change, then this could be a sign of weight loss. Check to see if his collar is looser as well. If you think that he is losing weight, he should be evaluated by your veterinarian.

Loose skin is associated with weight loss and aging. I would weigh Biscuit and keep an eye on her weight over the next couple of months. A little weight loss ia normal in an older dog. However, too much or continued weight loss would be an indication that Biscuit may have an underlying medical condition and needs a check-up with her veterinarian.

Sorry about Riley. Looks like Riley has an active skin condition that needs examination and treatment from your local veterinarian. The neck is frequently affected with local skin problems due to most dogs having collars that either become wet or irritate the skin. It is also very easy to scratch that area with the hind leg. The rough skin area can indicate an infection related to secondary bacteria or yeast. Frequently, certain parasites such as mites or fleas can contribute to this problem. Your veterinarian will perform some diagnostic testing and gather information regarding this problem to help find the best treatment and preventative program for your dog. You may want to put a t-shirt or something over the area to avoid further irritation from scratching prior to your appointment. Skin problems are common and usually respond to treatment, so best of luck with Riley. Thanks, Steve Popish, DVM

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Puppies normally have a lot of loose skin. If Lucas is healthy, is gaining weight appropriately and hasn’t lost weight I think he is fine. Also if their coating is thinning then it can cause the loose skin to be more obvious. Have a good day!

It sounds like your dog has a skin infection so he should be examined by a vet to determine the exact cause. It could be secondary to an injury or possibly allergies. He may need an oral antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory to help treat the problem.

Your picture is a bit blurry but it looks like Charlie might be having a reaction to the suture. I would recommend having your vet examine the incision to make sure there are no signs of infection. If he is having a reaction to the suture underneath the skin as it dissolves then no specific treatment may be necessary.

You may want to remove Lucy's collar while this heals. Sometimes a rubbing collar can irritate a wound. Make sure that the collar isn't too tight, but usually injuring related to a too tight collar are more horizontal along the neck. If it does not appear deep and she isn't scratching at it, just keep clean and dry to and monitor to make sure it's healing. If there is any discharge or foul odors she may have an infection and require a veterinary visit.