Why does my senior dog have crusty, smelly skin spots and fur loss?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My nearly 14 year old dog has spots on him. Started a year ago on his belly. Vet said they were contact dermatitis. They would clear up then return. A year later he now has them under the thick fur areas. They are crusty, red underneath the crust, sometimes smell similar to creamed corn and his fur falls out where the spots are located. What are they snd how do I get rid of them?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers 40

Veterinary Technician

Published on October 10th, 2019

That is concerning. If the spots are oozing or smelly I would be concerned there is an underlying infection going on which is causing that. Since this is different than the contact dermatitis, or a worsening of it, I would have your vet take another look. They may recommend taking a sample for testing at a lab to see what the cause is (yeast, bacteria, fungus, etc) so that a tailored treatment can be given. Your vet may also prescribe antibiotics if the area is infected. Until you can get to the vet, keeping the affected areas clean and dry and using an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Boomer can help keep him from licking which can help with further irritation.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Why does my senior dog have crusty, smelly skin spots and fur loss?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Related Questions

My dog has brownish flat spots on her belly it started really small and now it’s all over her stomach chest area. She is 14. It seems to be peeling in some areas but doesn’t feel really dry. It almost feels oily. What could it be? How can I fix it?

My dog has been getting this all over her belly what can it be?! She is 11 years old

My 11yr old German Shepherd has always had black spots on her stomach. The now have a yellow crust around some. She is on ear medication (ear drops). No other signs. What could it be? She does sleep a lot now.

Scaly dandruff, brushed him & hair started falling out in clumps. Some skin looks irritated. Similar to severe cradle cap. He's always inside with me except for potty breaks. Started smelling bad and his ears seem itchy. I've been cleaning them. Was

My mini schnauzer has a small area of light yellow colored of crusty "stuff" on his back. Its smaller than a dime. It's a bit itchy and it appeared suddenly. He does not have any other spots on his body. He's almost 10 yrs old. What could this be?

My rough coated collie has developed crusty papules in his groin only. VERY mildly itchy Responds briefly to Neosporin - until he licks it off. P. Coat is shiny and healthy. iMessage dog food.

My dog has little bumps and the skin is a little crusty and wherever she has the bumps hair comes out in chunks. It kind of smells and she may have pus or something. I’m not sure why this is happening. She’s not a big outdoors dog but we recently bre

Hi my fog is losing almost all of his hair on his back, legs and tail. He developed small dry patches (sores) on his back. Crusty dry skin. Also developed a big sore on his tummy which got better with bactroban. Now there is small black dots in this

I have a 15 month old male Airedale that has a couple of spots on the hairless part of his lower belly and inner thigh. They are dark in color, not perfect circles, not raised & slightly crusty on top.

Hello. My doberman has an oval crusty feel thing attached to his skin near his tail. It just came across my attention never seen it before . What could this be? Is it serious?I also dont know if this could be related to it but he has been theowing up

Share