Why is my senior chihuahua itching, coughing, and has skin lesions?

Question

12 yr old chihuahua, numerous raised bulbous pink lesions, one on her back leg recently puffed up & looks like cauliflower. She also has 3 sores on her back that she cannot reach to scratch but they keep trusting over and bleeding. Her appetite and energy level have not changed. She is constantly licking or scratching her belly....but no fleas anywhere. She also has what sounds like a human asthma attack seemingly brought on by excitement or exercise. Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 11 lbs

Rodrigo Roca, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, sorry to hear about Zoey. The mass on her back leg looks a little more than something brought on my fleas or allergies. That mass should be sampled by your veterinarian to ensure it is not an aggressive mass. The lesions on her neck, do seem like are most consistent with severe itchiness. Things such as allergies and skin parasites (fleas and mites) can cause this kind of itchiness. Mites are microscopic and you may not be able to see them. In terms of fleas, dogs can develop flea allergy dermatitis, an allergy against flea saliva, and you do not need to see fleas on Zoet for her to have this. Other allergies include environmental allergies and food allergies. Her cough could be associated with the allergies although in smaller dogs like Zoey, you also have to rule out heart disease or a tracheal collapse as the cause for her cough. I think Zoey should be evaluated by her veterinarian to rule out the possibility for flea allergy dermatitis or mites, rule out a maliganant back leg mass, and to check for a heart condition or collapsing trachea for her cough. Hope this helps!

Why is my senior chihuahua itching, coughing, and has skin lesions?

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