Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My puppy has red, swollen skin on her face. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | French Bulldog | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 20 days old

Hello, My 5month old female Frug has had redness on her face since I adopted her 4 months ago. I thought that if I gave her a bath every other day than the redness would go away. Unfortunately, her redness has turned into edema and and is starting to spread to other body parts.Her name is Moana and she acts like a normal healthy puppy, but she has this skin condition that I just can’t seem to help her with. What should I do ? What meds will help her? What shampoo should I be using? Thank you!

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

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

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on August 22nd, 2019

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her 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 environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Sponsored