My dog has bald spots. Could it be mange or allergies? What can I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 10 days old | 23 lbs
MY dog has progressing bald spots that was once accompanied by rashes on her underside and ears. She no longer has the flare up but the spots seem to be progressing. Ive changed foods but it is not going away. Im wondering if it could be mange or allergies. what can I do? I have an appointment with the vet a week from now.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 6th, 2019
You are absolutely correct that mange or allergies are possible. The doctor may recommend a diagnostic called a skin scrape to check for mites. For now just protect the area from any itching. It doesn’t look really inflamed so I’m not sure there’s much you can do at this point. As a general recommendation, starting Lexi on an omega 3 fatty acid for dogs can help improve skin health and it certainly won’t hurt anything. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 3rd, 2017
It does sound like it could be mange. He could also have a skin infection causing the sores. You can give a medicated bath but if it's mange your veterinarian can do a skin scraping to confirm the type of mange or see if it's a bacterial or fungal infection. They will then prescribe the correct medication for Buddy's skin problems. There is not an effective over the counter treatment in my opinion. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Buddy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
My dog shake his head scratch his ear and then lick his paw Second problem is red patches on coat And third is baldness jn some area small spots of skin is visible
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). The following products can be found online and can be tried as a first line approach: Douxo PS Calm shampoo, Essential 6 spot on by dermoscent, Krillex Krill oil chews. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us aga
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
About a month ago, my dog’s lids were swollen shut. Assuming it was allergies, I gave her some Benadryl. It cleared up but the hair around her eyes hasn’t grown back yet. Since then, she’s began to lose the hair on her mouth as well her armpits and b
Allergies and mange would be at the top of my list. A vet can easily check for intestinal parasites (mange) and then figure out a treatment plan for allergies if you don't have any parasites. There are many many different way to treat allergies, depending on how much you want to spend on medications/testing.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
The last 2 weeks we had a visit to the vet and scabies is suspected due to hair loss, bald spots and bacterial infections. I did a research and found out that there are 3 or 4 types of mange and can’t really identify which one he has. We live in Egyp
Poor guy. There are really only 2 types of mites that we see in veterinary medicine- Scabies and Demodexx mites. Scabies (a type ofmite) is infectious to people so if you yourself are not itching then you can kind of rule that one out. The other mite, Demodexx isn't infectious to people or other pets, and nowadays it can be treated with oral flea preventatives such as Bravecto, Nexgard or Simparica + a medicated topical shampoo through your vet. I would recommend just starting Baileys' on one of these to cover any kind of mite issue. Then I would suggest getting Bailey on an oral antibiotic to clear up the skin infection that is present. The ears look to be infected as well. This will require a topical ear medication and cleaner from your vet to resolve. Skin allergy testing is not commoonly used anymore due to the poor overall response to allergy immunotherapy shots. THe most common allergy medication used nowadays is Apoquel. I would ask your vet about this as well, espec
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Okay guys! Now I have resqued a dog! She looks like she has mange! She shakes and scratches all the time! She has lost hair on her ears belly and legs! I was told by the previous owner that she has allergies! When I give her allergy pills she doesn't
Itching due to mange will sometimes respond temporarily to steroids or antihistamines, so I'm afraid this really isn't a reliable indicator of what the problem is. Mange can diagnosed with a simple test called a skin scrape. If you're concerned, I would recommend taking Ally to your vet for an exam. He/she can do a skin scrape or other testing if needed to help determine if she does have mange or some other problem such as allergies, and make sure that she is being treated appropriately for her skin problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a bad rash/allergies all over her body. Red irritated skin in her ears, on her right back leg, and front paws. Some hair is missing as well. Her eye is always watering and red around it as well.
Those spots on Mala could be several things including allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Simparica. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our 14yr old pitbull mix named Annie was recently treated for Mange, her recover has been slow but her constant scratching and itchy flakey skin hasn't subsided, she has had dry flaky skin her entire adult life and abnormally oily ears (which we must
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog max has been treated for his skin scabbing up several times with pharmaVeb, Benadryl, Gensvet but nothing seems to work. This is make him get ball spots.
Those spots on Max could be several things including allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Simparica. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or N
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Could my dog have beds of mites under his skin on back making lumped up, bald spotes,itching him constantly
Mites are just one possible cause of itching and hair loss, however they wouldn't necessarily cause "lumped up" spots on the skin. You may be seeing hives, which are due to some type of an allergic reaction.
The first thing to do would be to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets, food elimination trials, parasite control and antihistamine use with the vet. Any potential treatment will depend on the underlying cause.
In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on Axel to prevent excessive licking or chewing. You can also treat for fleas using a topical preventive (Frontline, Advantix, etc.) or an oral preventive (CapStar, Comfortis, Bravecto, Credelio, etc.). Vacuum everywhere indoors and dispose of the bag or empty the canister outdoors immediately afterwards. Wash all bedding in the hottest water allowable by fabric and dry in a dryer. Use an area treatment, such as Indorex or Knockout ES, to prevent or treat any flea infestation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Recently noticed unusual patches in my boys coat. It is sometimes painful to him when brushed. It only seems to be on his back and hind. When the hair is moved against its growth pattern their are bald patches and the flakes as shown. He is an inside
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). The following products can be found online and can be tried as a first line approach: Douxo PS Calm shampoo, Essential 6 spot on by dermoscent, Krillex Krill oil chews. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is losing hair in clumps continuously for a while and has started to get bald spots and sore patches. I've changed his food numerous times and nothing seems to work. Also tried skin ointments and regular brushing but that seems to make it wors
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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