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Why is my dog's underneath skin red, itchy, peeling, and losing hair?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pomeranian | Male | 7 years and 10 months old | 10 lbs

My dog has red itchy skin on underneath area and loosing its hair over there. Its skin is peeling off and falling.

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 14th, 2017

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From the pictures you have provided, I suspect that ceasor has a skin infection. Now, whether or not the skin infection is due to skin parasites, bacteria or Yeast is difficult for me to say by looking at the pictures. I would suggest having a veterinarian examine him in order to get a diagnosis for the most appropriate treatment. Treatment will likely consist of antibiotics, antifungal drugs and topical therapy. If you are unable to get to the veterinarian right away, I would suggest starting a medicated shampoo such as Duoxo chlorhexidine PS combination and bathe twice weekly until the infection is resolved. I would also recommend starting him on welactin omega 3 fish oil and essential 6 spot on by dermoscent. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns you may have. I am also available via consultation if needed.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 14th, 2017

    He could have a skin infection, flea allergies, mites, food allergies, environmental allergies, etc. You could bathe him with a medicated dog shampoo, like Epi-Soothe and see if that helps. Also make sure to use a flea medication, like Frontline, NexGard, Bravecto, etc. to prevent fleas. You could also try a hypoallergenic diet and add Free From Snip Tips to his diet and see if that helps. Otherwise, he needs to be examined by a vet for treatment. He might need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, corticosteroid, and/or other medications to help treat the itching and hair loss.

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    Answered By Amber W

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on March 23rd, 2018

    This could be a sign of several things including environmental allergies, mites, ringworm, and food allergies. Without doing a physical examination on Balu it's difficult to say what it causing him to itch. Even if you are not seeing fleas, if he is not currently on a good quality flea preventative like Frontline Plus, Advantix or Bravecto you may want to start. You may want to try bathing with a soothing shampoo. Once a veterinarian checks him out they may prescribe something like Douxo Calm shampoo. Omega-3s are naturally anti -inflammatory so these may help as well. If Balu's symptoms persist then he should be taken to your veterinarian. His skin can be tested for mites and other types of infections. There are many new treatments for allergies available including Apoquel and Cytopoint. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Balu's skin issues resolve quickly!

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