Why is my female dog's vulva rash spreading and getting worse?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Rottweiler | Female | spayed | 75 lbs
This rash gets worse & is spreading. The rash is down by the vulva.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 14th, 2017
Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Maya. This looks like bacterial dermatitis, also known as a staph infection. This condition is caused by a bacteria known as Staphylococcus pseudointermedius. It is a normal bacterial resident on the skin of dogs and very commonly causes problems like this in dogs. Sometimes the cause is unknown and other times it's caused by external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites, etc), allergies to inhaled allergens/flea bite allergies/or food allergies, contact irritants or allergens, internal organ problems, intestinal parasite problems, nutritional problems, a primary bacterial skin problem, and the list goes on. Most of the time it is hard to narrow down the causative problem. This is NOT Contagious between dogs or people. this area is small enough that you could probably monitor it unless Maya is licking it and it's bothering her. If you do decide to take her (or it worsens, or other signs develop) your vet can take a detailed history and do a complete exam with diagnostics to follow if indicated. Sometimes these infections are stubborn and require oral antibiotics and medicines for itching because this condition can become rather itchy and irritating for the pet. Antihistamines or even steroids are used to calm the itch depending upon the level of itching and the suspected cause. Fish oil is also good for the skin and all organs of the body as they are anti-inflammatory. Many other strategies can be employed such as a benzoyl peroxide medicated shampoo. Good luck
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 30th, 2017
Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to see that Maya is having some skin problems. This condition is called bacterial dermatitis, staph pyoderma, etc. It is caused by a normal resident (bacteria) that normally lives on top of the skin. Something is triggering this to cause these lesions. Recurrent problems like this are caused usually by allergies (inhaled allergens in the air, flea allergies, and lastly food allergies or food sensitivities), primary staph hypersensitivity, fleas/ticks/mites (external parasites), contact irritants, and even some internal organ problems can cause staph out breaks. This is not contagious to other dogs or humans so don't worry there. Most vets treat this condition with a good skin antibiotic and sometimes with a drug that prevents itching/licking/scratching. The dermatologists advise treating this with a good skin antibiotic for at least 21 days. If the condition resolves but comes back, there is an inciting factor that needs to be identified. I would advise treating her for 21 days with a good skin antibiotic at the correct dose and correct frequency. You can also use a good antibacterial shampoo and coat conditioner on her during this time. Itching can be addressed with antihistamines, steroids, fish oil, possibly a diet change, good flea/tick control, among other things. Your vet can also advise whether they think it's allergies and ways to diagnose what allergies are involved. There are skin tests and blood tests but the skin tests are still considered the best. Once the allergies are identified, allergy injections or oral drops can be tried to lessen the immune response to the offending allergens. Other preliminary skin tests include skin scrapes, skin cytologies, fungal cultures, etc to look for other reasons that this is happening. Good luck with Maya.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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