My dog has a rash or bites. How can I identify what they are?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photos and your description, I suspect what you are seeing may be due to insect bites such as ants. If this is just inflammation from insect bites and not an infection, it will likely clear up on its own. I would recommend using a product such as Malacetic Conditioning spray which can be found online quite easily or a steroid spray from PetCo and apply to the area twice daily until resolved. If pustules begin to form or the rash spreads / worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Bentley so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Ouch, poor Charlie! I do think having him seen by a vet tomorrow is the best idea. Unfortunately the picture is a little blurry, but the area does look red and possibly swollen. I would put an Ecollar on Charlie to keep him from licking at it, and I can give you a website that details how to make one at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Hello, and thank you for your question and detailed photos. It looks like he may have a bacterial skin infection. Other underlying causes could be parasites such as fleas, or a fungal infection. I was trying to determine from the photos whether this was related to hives which would be indicative of a sudden allergic reaction. If he also has facial swelling or difficulty breathing, I would get him to a vet right away. If his symptoms are only the rash on his back, thighs and groin area, my first guess is that this is a bacterial infection (pyoderma). This will likely require treatment with antibiotics from your vet, but if you cannot get to a vet in the next few days, you can try bathing him with a gentle chlorhexidine based shampoo for dogs, which will help to manage any surface skin bacteria. I would also think about any possible triggers that may have caused the sudden skin problem, such as feeding a new food or treat, or bathing with a new shampoo, or swimming, etc. Keeping the area covered is a great idea, or you can use an e-collar (cone) to prevent him from licking the areas but still letting the skin breathe. I hope this helps, and that Gizmo is feeling better soon! Happy holidays!

Hello, thank you for your question about Buddy. Based on the photos that you have attached I think that it is very possible that this lesion could be a bug/spider bite. It is also possible that Buddy was exposed to something irritating to his skin. If he is not bothered at the area and it does not seem very painful I would recommend continuing to monitor him. If the lesion progresses or he develops any additional symptoms I would have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian. Hope this helps, good luck!

This looks like a like mass, skin tag, or possibly a nipple. You can try to give him some Benadryl to see if this controls the itch. See link below. You can also spray the area with Benadryl spray. If that doesn't help or if the mass is changing, I would have your vet take a look at it. Your vet will be able to aspirate it to make sure it is benign and also get him started on some meds to help him if needed. I hope this helps ! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/#

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The bumps present on Sobek do look like insect or ant bites. If Sobek is chewing/licking then you should get an e-collar to stop any self-trauma, as well as a visit to the vet to get possible pain meds or an anti-histamine. Be very careful with human anti-histamines as many contain other human products that are very toxic to dogs. Best of luck with Sobek!

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. Without pictures it is difficult to say what the red bumps are. I would presume a possible allergic reaction / skin infection. My suggestion would be to start the following, all of which can be found online: 1. Malacetic conditioning spray (spray to affected area 2-3 times per day until resolved is the typical recommendation) 2. Duoxo PS Calm shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved is what most dermatologists would recommend Benadryl has been used on cases like this. The typical recommended safe dose for Benadryl is 1mg per 1lb of body weight every 12 hours. I hope this helps. If the bumps to not resolve or if they worsen I would seek veterinary care. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available for consultation if needed.