Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog has ear blisters and genital issues. Can it spread to kids?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Schnauzer | Female | spayed | 8 lbs

My son's dog has what I'd compare to blisters in his ears. Looks like a type of herpes in both ears. It has now spread to his genital area and his genital tip area is slightly black. Taking him to a vet, but is this communicable to my children? thanks in advance.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on September 10th, 2017

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. Usually these infection cannot be transmitted, unless it is a fungal one (Ringworm). 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.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored