My Lab has peeling skin, scabs, and bleeding. What's the cause?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female
I have a lab and it's skin is peeling off due to which he is getting scabs on her skin and blood is Coming
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 21st, 2017
It sounds like your dog has a skin infection, most likely caused by allergies or fleas. The allergies can be from a protein in her food or to something in the environment, like grasses, pollens, dust, etc. I would recommend taking Praisy in to see the vet so she can be started on some antibiotics to help clear up the skin and get on a good flea control. You may also ask about a medicated shampoo, these can help clear up the skin more quickly. I would also recommend discussing with your vet some options for medication to help control the allergy symptoms like Atopica, Apoquel, or Cytopoint. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 1st, 2017
It's one possibility of course, but most skin conditions are treatable. maybe she needs to see a dermatologist. regarding the accidents there are medications for that as well, you should mention it to your vet next time you take her.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 23rd, 2017
Poor little Sam. Thank you for trying to help her. It may be time to consider referral to a dermatologist since regular diagnostics and treatment haven't yielded answers. Skin disease can be anything from parasites to allergies, vascular disease or even immune system disorders. Unfortunately it can be expensive to diagnose and treat some skin disease. If you're able to go the distance for her I'd consider a veterinary dermatologist next.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
My Labrador Retriever is 7 months old. She just came home from Board-In Prison K9 training. She has a rash on her armpits, elbows and underside. Her fur has thinned in these spots as well. It feels like she has lots of little scabs.
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mya. I would start by bathing her with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner such as an oatmeal or fatty acid based formula. This can help to soothe her skin. If the lesions are still present on Monday, she will need to see her veterinarian for skin testing. She will likely be tested for mites, ringworm and any secondary infection of the skin. If these tests do not reveal a cause of her skin, then allergies become most likely. Seasonal allergies are common this time of years as are fleas. Dogs can also develop food allergies. Common treatment options are antibiotics and anti-itch medications as well as flea and tick prevention. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 2.5 years old lab is suffering by a hair loss and flaking on skin. He's also drooling than usual, itching and bit dull. Also his eyes turned slightly reddish. He hasn't lost any weight though. What could be the cause of this and how long would it
Hi there! There are many different skin related diseases that can cause the signs that you describe. The most common diseases include infectious skin diseases (i.e. bacterial pyoderma, dermatophytosis), or ectoparasites (i.e. Demodex, fleas, lice). From the picture you provided Ecru looks as though he may be suffering from Demodex, more commonly known as mange. To be certain of what exactly is going on with Ecru I recommend that he be seen by a veterinarian to evaluate samples of the affected areas of Ecru's skin under a microscope and get him on the appropriate medications and/or shampoos. It depends on what exactly is going on to know how long treatment will be, but I would estimate anywhere between 1 - 3 weeks of treatment. I hope this was helpful and Ecru gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My female, 9 year old mixed breed has a skin condition that won't go away. We give her allergy pills, wash her often and yet her skin blisters, cracks, bleeds and is furless in many spots. What could this be? Is it treatable or contagious? What can w
Scrappy appears to have a very wide spread pyoderma (skin infection). This is most likely composed of bacteria and yeast. It is usually due to an underlying allergy and possibly a low thyroid level. Your vet can run lab work to check the thyroid level and correct that if needed. They do make medicine to help control allergies but she will need long term antibiotics with medicated baths to clear the infection. It typically is not contagious to other animals or people
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
labrador retriever 2 years old, having severe hair loss. given antibiotics several times, during that medication in the first 10 days hair loss gradually stops, after 20 days hair slowly grows. medicines will be for 20 days 1 per day. still after 2 m
It looks as if your dog has a skin infection, most commonly caused by an allergy, a skin mite (Demodex) or fleas. The allergy could be a due to a protein in your dog’s food or an environmental allergy like to dust, pollens, grasses, etc. The allergy causes your dog to itch and chew at the skin which breaks down the skin barrier. This then leads to infection. Skin infections are typically characterized by large areas of hair loss, redness, crusting, flaking, and pustules. A thorough skin examination by your veterinarian should be able to determine the cause of the itch so it can be treated appropriately. A skin scraping and skin cytology should be performed to rule out mites and to determine the type of infection present (bacterial vs fungal). Your dog will most likely need antibiotics/antifungals longterm to help clear up the infection and possibly an allergy/anti-itch medication like Apoquel, Atopica, or Cytopoint to give some relief while the infection clears up. A medicated s
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Severe Pyoderma in 9 month old silver labrador retreiver. PLEASE HELP. We have tried every diet thinkable. It just keeps getting worse.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to know without knowing more about the case and examining him. However, if these infections are recurrent, I would have to assume that this could be due to allergies. An examination and gathering more information would help tremendously. 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 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 7 year old lab who I got when was two and hasn't been to the vet since. She has very irritated, itchy, flaky skin and I have no idea how to help her get her hair back. Any suggestions?
Poor Marley's skin looks irritated! In order for her to be able to get her fur back, the cause of the itching needs to be diagnosed and treated. This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Tonight, you can give her an oatmeal or Epsom salt bath to see if that helps temporarily with the itching.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a male Labrador puppy, 8 month old. he developed red skin lesions. I have used D-mag spray on that lesion but lesion is spreading day by day. what to do.
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
My pug dog won’t stop scratching to the point that her coat is falling off and bits of blood are coming out. She doesn’t have fleas and we have been treating her for allergies as well as giving her vitamins to ensure she is getting the nutrients she
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This wound looks severe enough that shaving and appropriate local cleaning is indicated as well as most likely starting antibiotics. You could use an e-collar to try to prevent further self-trauma though this is not going to help longterm if the allergic issue is not addressed. 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 a
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My lab just got fixed a month ago and has been experiencing bald spots around collar(which is loose enough) chest, and a couple spots on belly and inside of thigh. She's not itching biting or licking but does have dry skin. What could I do to avoid t
Sorry to hear that Rylie's hair is not looking it's best. If she is developing bald spots I would be concerned about some underlying skin or metabolic condition going on. She likely needs to have her skin examined and potentially a few test (skin scrape to look for mites/bacteria/yeast, fungal culture, etc). A simple thing you can try at home is bathing her in an oatmeal based shampoo to see if that helps, as it won't hurt her. However if you don't see any improvement and/or her bald areas are getting worse, I would take her in to have a vet look at her as she may need medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 13 year old lab looks like he has mega dandruff when brushed. IHe is scratching a lot and I keep finding little crusty clumps every now again in very furry parts. I bathed him thoroughly in hibiscrub but it hasn't made a lot of difference. Most o
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, 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
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