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My dog has a bleeding bald spot with missing fur. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 7 days old

help? i found my dog with a patch of missing fur & was bleeding. what could this be?

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on April 17th, 2019

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). 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 used to improve our service!

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6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 7th, 2019

    Although a picture of the wounds would help to determine the underlying cause more specifically, this is likely to be caused by a diffuse infection (likely to be bacterial) of the skin. A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching (if any). 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 used to improve our service!

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    3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 13th, 2017

    This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking. 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.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 10th, 2018

    From this photo, I don't see any irritation or ulceration on the skin, it just appears to be an area of hair loss. This could have been an insect bite or wound that healed. We do also worry about ringworm (a fungus) when we have patches of hairloss that persist. You can clean the area with a mild shampoo or Hibiclens (available at most drug stores) and apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the area. If it is not improving, other lesions develop, or this lesion worsens then a visit to the vet is recommended. Best of luck to you and Daisy mae.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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