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Why is my dog throwing up and has red, irritated skin patches?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 12.5 lbs

What is possibly wrong with my dog? She is throwing up, and has patches of hair gone kind of red and look like cuts almost. Face, neck and tail.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 5th, 2017

For this to arise suddenly, I would be suspicious of a reaction to a medication, something she ate, or something that was applied to her skin. It could also indicate an infection within the body that is causing inflammation to the blood vessels of the skin. If this has been going on for a while (months), then I would be more suspicious of secondary skin infections from allergies, or a disease condition that is lowering the immune system. Either way, I think this condition is concerning enough to warrant veterinary treatment. It's not an emergency, but best to schedule an appointment with your vet in the next day or two. They will help find the cause of this and at-least give her some relief and help keep the condition from getting worse. One thing you can do to help relieve the skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. I hope that helps and Venus gets better soon.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    The inflamed part of the skin around the face and neck appears to sore and infected. This may be due from an allergic reaction or an environmental allergen or a food allergy. They tend to scratch the area and makes it worse. The vomiting may or may not be related, there is no way to tell without seeing her. You can try a cool bath tonight to help the red skin and an over the counter antihistamine to help with redness until you can get her to a vet tomorrow. She will likely need some testing done on her skin to determine the best treatment. IF the vomiting continues tonight, then withhold food and water for the evening and take her to an ER clinic for further care.

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