Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My Shih Tzu has skin spots and is licking. Should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 7 months old | 15 lbs

My shih tzu been having this condition for sometime now even after bathing and grooming probably while checking on how it was. At first half of his back had those spots but then it started to spread. I just want to know if I need to get him some special help because he is licking and scratching around those areas.

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

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

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 27th, 2017

I would recommend bringing Rocco to a veterinarian. It is hard to definitely say what is going on with Rocco without a physical examination. This could be a skin infection that he is making worse by scratching at it. If it is a skin infection your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and potentially a medicated shampoo. It is hard to say exactly what caused the itchiness but most common is allergies. Your veterinarian can discuss different causes and ways we can try to stop this from happening again. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 9th, 2017

    Biting and licking paws and tail often points to an allergic condition. Rocco may react allergic to his food or a particular protein in his food. Flea infestation, bacterial, fungal or mite infection can cause these signs as well. You will need to do flea prevention and control and take Rocco to your veterinarian for a skin exam. The vet may also want to do skin scrapings and examine the material under the microscope, looking for mites, Your vet can prescribe medication to relieve the itch (either steroid tablets or an injection, antihistamines), and possibly antibiotics , if a bacterial infection is involved. Your vet will also discuss diet with you in case he suspects a food allergy.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 1st, 2017

    Yes, I would recommend doing blood work as the next step, but I would also see if you can get a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. They are experts in skin matters, and having Rocco seen by one of them would be the best for getting to the bottom of his skin problems so he can be treated effectively.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my dog has developed these sores on his body, he has been to the vet and they prescribed antibiotics and a shampoo, they don’t seem to know exactly what it is though. Can you help please ? Any advice would help
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I'm sorry to hear that Rocco has these spots on his body. They look like they could be ringworm, which is a fungus that infects the skin and causes patchy round area of redness and hairloss. Often a topical antifungal shampoo or cream will help treat this, however in some cases oral antifungal medication may be needed. I recommend monitoring Rocco's response to the treatments that your veterinarian prescribed, and have him evaluated again if signs worsen or do not start to improve within a week! I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a shihtzu who may have a yeast infection on the skin or some other type of infection. He has been scratching and biting himself for a week now, and I thought a trip to the groomers would make him stop. However, he is still biting himself away
I can see the redness and crusting in Rocky's underarm areas. You are correct in saying that this may be due to an infection. Both yeast and bacteria can cause these signs, as well as food sensitivities, which make dogs itchy. The constant scratching breaks the skin barrier and can allow for infections to occur. I recommend having him seen by a vet who can prescribe oral antibiotics/medicated shampoos as well as a special diet if needed. In the meantime, there are skin wipes for dogs available in pet stores that you can use to keep the area clean.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My Shihtzu’s skin has been itching for a month now and the spots on her skin have increased in #. She bites, licks and scratches at them. They feel like bumps, but upon closer look, it’s as if there is yellow crusty skin caught up in her hair and a
Poor Ruffles, that sounds pretty uncomfortable. This itching could be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, I can give you one for her. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Even if she is up to date on her flea treatment, I do recommend taking her into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow as her skin sounds pretty bad and I'm worried she could have a secondary skin infection from all the itching she has been doing. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Large red irritated spot, not to sure what it is. Seems to be bothering him he keeps licking the spot. Do you think it’s anything to be worried about or should I leave it be and see if it heals on it’s own.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Buddy and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. I would be worried about it, it's obviously bothering him and the licking will be making it worse. Without seeing him in person, I can't say what is causing it. I do think he needs to see a vet for it. The vet can diagnose what it causing it and can treat it. I would take him into the vet in the morning. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is there a way to send a pic? My SHIH TZU has a red spot about the size if a quarter on his lower side looks a little like exzema
It looks like he could have a skin infection. You could bathe him with a anti-microbial medicated dog shampoo and see if that helps. Otherwise, have him examined by a vet for treatment. He may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, and/or a corticosteroid to help treat. Make sure to use a flea medication, like NexGard, to prevent fleas and ticks. If he is licking and chewing on the area then an E-collar may be necessary to keep him from damaging the skin.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My chihuahua has freckle-like spots on his underbelly, and is constantly licking that area. Is this a cause for concern, or just normal pigmentation?
If Rico is licking that area then something is bothering him. It may be itchy. This could be a fungal or bacterial skin infection or even mites or a food allergy, and should be examined by a vet and treated. By licking the spots he will further irritate the skin and cause the problem to spread. I suggest you make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. Your vet will possibly want to do a skin scrape and will prescribe appropriate treatment (antibacterial or antifungal shampoo, ointment or tablets, or steroids or diet change). If he suspects a mite infection, then an acaricide will be applied (injection or tablet)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been itching and licking his back above his tail, not right at the base but like hips I guess. Maltese Shih Tzu, 3 yo, no new changes to diet or environment. He has this dark red spot I've just noticed. Could this be a tick? He has not bee
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, My 2 year old yorkie has been itching a lot and yesterday I found two red circles in her skin, in the under neck and anterior leg, that I'll attach. They are not flat, they have some texture and itch. Can you tell me if it's just some insect bite
I would recommend bringing Lia to a veterinarian. They can treat the lesions which are most likely from her itching so much and also help with the itching. They would be able to check for fleas, mites, and even discuss allergies with you. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Shih Tzu keeps itching in one spot. He has scratched so much he skin looks red under his coat. Please Help
Hi there, and thanks for using Boop by Petco! It sounds like Blaze has what we call a "hot spot". This happens when dogs focus on a small area and begin licking and scratching it until an infection develops. This infection in turn is very itchy, which perpetuates the cycle. The best thing to do first is stop him from itching the area. This can usually be accomplished with a cone collar, a t-shirt or bandage (depending on where it is). Many times these infections require antibiotics to clear up. And of course, we need to determine why he started itching that area in the first place. He may have some underlying allergies. Your local veterinarian can work with you to manage the problem and hopefully prevent it from recurring in the future.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I just noticed a redness spot wondering if it’s from excessive licking.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This looks like a focal infection. It could be in theory due to excessive licking. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored