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My dog is sick, tired, worms, hair loss, and skin bumps. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 8 months old | 8 lbs

My dog keeps getting sick lately and no energy and I have noticed when he has thrown up or pooped not there was something in it it almost look like some type of worm or a larvae and he's had a lot of hair fall out and raised bumps on his skin it has a hole in the middle of it the vet just diagnosed him with conjunctivitis and a skin allergy but I still didn't think it was it is

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2 Answers

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Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 19th, 2018

I am so sorry Lucky isn't feeling well. The hair falling out and bumps can definitely be allergies. I would also recommend giving a flea and tick prevention in pill form. The reason for this is it is used off label for skin mites. This is just to cover all basis. I would also recommend treating for allergies and if there is a skin infection. Unfortunately, the picture is not clear enough to determine the skin issue. With regards to the worms you are seeing, I would recommend a stool sample to make sure there are no intestinal parasites. I am concerned that Lucky is vomiting and would recommend discussing this with your veterinarian to see what is going on with him regarding the vomiting. If Lucky is on heartworm prevention then it is less likely for him to have intestinal parasites. I would discuss a general deworming with your veterinarian. The pictures are not clear enough to determine what is in the vomit or stool. If the worms look like spaghetti they are most likely roundworms. If they look like rice segments then they are most likely tapeworms. Those are the two parasites you will see in stool. Otherwise, Lucky needs a stool sample at your vet to see if there are any other parasites. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    His poop looks perfectly normal. His vomitus does look normal and I cannot recognize any larvae or odd things in it other than you are likely feeding your dog human food instead of dog food, which could be the reason for vomiting. Hair loss and bumps in the skin are typical signs for allergic reactions. This could be caused by the food your dog is eating, flea bites or other allergens your dog comes in contact with. You may want to try the following to better your dog's tummy: Throwing up can be caused by a food sensitivity, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, an intestinal blockage, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Lucky for 24 hours and then put him on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if your dog gets lethargic, he needs to see your veterinarian for a recheck as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on. You should also treat your dog with a flea preventive to rule out flea bite allergies.

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