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Why is my dog's hind leg bald and swollen? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed
Why does a dog get bald spots on their hind legs my German Shepherd has a big bald spot on her hind left leg and it is huge and swollen what do I do?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 8th, 2016
Poor Koda! Bald spots are likely caused by your dog licking the area obsessively because it's itching her. These bald spots can be caused by allergies, mites, ringworm, or fleas. If it is swollen, then it is infected, and Koda will need to see a vet for antibiotics. Your vet can determine what is causing the the bald spots, and the appropriate treatment for it.
13Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 6th, 2018
Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Some possibilities for the growing bald spot may include a fungal or bacterial infection, demodex mites or may an indication of an underlying allergy. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with an exam, fungal culture, skin cytology and skin scraping, I would recommend Koko visit her vet soon to have the possibilities above ruled out.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Food & Nutrition
My dog has 2 small spots on her back leg with no hair on it and she is very itchy and she had it about a week she 70 lb mix breed
Without seeing a photo of the spots it is not possible to assess the lesions. These could be caused by insect bites. Your dog could be suffering from an allergy, mites, fleas, a bacterial or fungal infection. each of these requires a different treatment, so it is important to find out what is causing the itch. You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for a skin exam. Your vet will do a thorough exam and maybe a a skin scrape. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications, possibly give an injection to stop the itching.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Shorkie developed a bald patch the size of a silver dollar on her right hind leg. It started out barely noticeable and the size of a dime about a month ago and now has grown. Thanks.
Hi and thanks for your post on Boop by Petco! Some possibilities for the growing bald spot may include a fungal or bacterial infection, demodex mites or may an indication of an underlying allergy. Your veterinarian can diagnose these potential conditions with an exam, fungal culture, skin cytology and skin scraping, I would recommend Koko visit her vet soon to have the possibilities above ruled out.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've noticed that my puppy has thinning hair and almost bald spots on his back legs. Its going to be another week until I can afford to get him to a vet. What could this be? And is it safe to wait a week to get him to the vet?
Glad you asked! Definitely looks to be a problem. This problem could be related to any number of skin diseases including nutrition, parasites, minor skin infections, or allergies. Depending on whether this area is itchy or not, this may determine what kind of tests your veterinarian may run to narrow the problem down. In any event, waiting a week or so won't change much, but you should get an appointment on the books with your veterinarian as soon as financially possible. The sooner we find out what's causing it, the sooner we can treat it appropriately. May require medication, bathing, or anti parasite products to help out the condition. Good luck and thanks for reaching out. Steve Popish, DVM.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My German shepherd is suffering from allergies all over the body especially in her chest and nipples and inside her eye. Yesterday I used butox an anti ticks lotion. Her legs are swollen so she is not able to walk properly. And also she is suffering
As you said this is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), 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). 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My 8 month old fawn/champagne Staffordshire Bull Terrier Floyd has a terrible bald patch up his back right limb reaching up to his rib cage. The skin isn't sore to touch and doesn't have any cuts or puss. Floyd does frequently bite at this le
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 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). I
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My tiny min. greyhound/chihuahua got a round place on her front leg/paw last night and tonight there are now 2 Red, round, now hairless spots.
Bella could have an allergy, skin infection, ringworm, lick granuloma, etc. You could bathe her with a medicated dog shampoo and see if that helps. Otherwise, she should be seen by a vet to determine the cause and treat her problem. She may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, corticosteroid, or other medications depending on the diagnosis. If she is licking the area then she will need a bandage or E-collar in order for the area to heal properly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my dog have white spots on his leg
From the photos here it looks like these are patches of hair loss. We can have hair loss at points of pressure if a dog likes to lay on hard surfaces, but we also worry about things like ringworm (a fungal infection), skin mites, and bacterial infection causing patches of hair loss. I would recommend bringing your dog in to the vet to examine the area. They may recommend a fungal culture if ringworm is suspected or a cytology of the skin to check for bacteria or a skin scrape to check for mites.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My lab/German shepherd has a bald patch on her arm she keeps licking. It looks like the hair around it is changing colors. What should I do?
That is odd. I recommend to have Molly Mae examined by her veterinarian to check her for skin mites and ringworm (which humans can get). Pets can also begin licking their legs in an OCD type fashion but there is not a test to determine this cause. It’s best to rule out the most common conditions first. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Bald spot on tail and swelling
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This may be due to allergies, especially flea allergy dermatitis based on the location though other types of allergy cannot be ruled out. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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 y
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have a new puppy that has one toe and back leg that is swollen and missing hair. It was slight crusty but after a bath and a little ointment looks better but is still swollen. Plus he has a patch of fur missing on his back.
Poor Fang! He could have a bacterial infection, ringworm, mites, injury, and/or an allergic dermatitis. His toe looks very swollen and I think he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat. He might need an antibiotic, corticosteroid, anti-fungal, or other medications to help. Your vet can do a skin scrape, culture, or cytology, if needed, to help diagnose. In the mean time, you could soak his paw in a warm Epsom salt solution and see if that helps. Call your vet and schedule an appointment to have him seen.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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