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Why is my dog losing hair with blisters despite diet change?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 4 years and 5 months old | 100 lbs

Bandit has been losing hair in one spot now for a month or two and it has been growing larger. There is a few blisters. The vet I take him to said it's just a skin irritation from food and we have taken him off certain foods to change his diet because he is allergic to red meats but even so he is still losing hair in that one spot.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 9th, 2017

Hello and thank you for your post! From the pictures that you have attached, it could be due to a hypersensitivity to food. However, most cases that I see that are secondary to a food allergy do not look like this. The spot that you have taken a picture of looks like it could be caused by several possibilities. The first being a bacterial or fungal skin infection. Skin mites are another possibility that could be causing what you are seeing. Another possibility would be an irritant such as a chemical causing the hair loss and blistering that you are seeing. Bandit may need to go on a course of oral antibiotics or an antifungal along with topical therapy with medicated shampoo. A couple other tests that could be run could be what is called a DTM culture to check for ringworm and a culture and sensitivity of the skin to check for bacterial organisms. If you are unable to get to your vet again right away, I would suggest starting with a medicated shampoo such as Duoxo chlorhexidine PS combination and bathe him twice weekly until resolved. However, I would suggest taking him back into your vet to have additional testing done and other treatment options. If this continues to worsen and your regular veterinarian is unable to get this problem resolved, I would suggest scheduling an appointment with a Veterinary dermatologist. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via text or phone consultation if needed

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    He may need further testing such as a culture or a biopsy to see what the cause is for that single spot. You can always alternate cortisone cream with anti fungal cream to help with the redness and blisters. It my be a skin infection or an environmental allergy

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