Why is my puppy scratching, chewing his tail, and has a splotchy coat?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Belgian Malinois | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 17 days old | 75 lbs
9 month old Bel Mal....scratching and chewing his tail and knees. What could this be? He never changed food. He’s coat looks splotchy.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 28th, 2018
Thank you for posting the pictures. It is possible that it is allergies, but he is a little young for that. I would be suspicious of mites it a skin infection. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon. A skin scrape and microscopic exam will likely be recommended to look for mites. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 18th, 2017
I would be very suspicious that your puppy has a parsitic infection. It could be a bad reaction to fleas or lice but unfortunately I think it is more likely something like mange or ringworm with bacterial infection also. I would be suspicious of juvenile demodecosis. You need to take the pup to the vet for tests to determine the type of parasite, then they will be able to prescribe the correct treatment. In the mean time wash your hands well and try and keep the dog away from soft furnishings.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I have recently taken on an American Bulldog and Pit Bull mix and since I've gotten him I have noticed he has a few spots where he has been chewing/scratching at, most of the spots are close to his tail in the middle of his pelvis bones. I have used
This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas, 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, pollins, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. Cooper has these scabby red bumps around his groin area and his belly. Also might be one at he base of his tail. The ones on his belly don't seem to bother him but he's been chewing/licking the base of his tail pretty frequently.
It looks like your dog has a skin infection, most likely caused by allergies or fleas. The allergies can be from a protein in his food or to something in the environment, like grasses, pollens, dust, etc. The allergies cause a breakdown in the skin barrier and make the dog very itchy. Then the excessive itching and licking causes the skin infection. I would recommend taking Cooper in to see the vet so he can be started on some antibiotics to help clear up the skin and get on a good flea control. You may also ask about a medicated shampoo, these can help clear up the skin more quickly. I would also recommend discussing with your vet some options for medication to help control the allergy symptoms like Atopica, Apoquel, or Cytopoint. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
It started around his hind legs and tail and now is up half his body. When I bath him it feels like scabs on his body. His tail is very sensitive. He is constantly scratching and chewing on himself. He eats but doesn't gain weight
I am so sorry Deacon is so uncomfortable. Is he on flea prevention? If not I would recommend putting flea prevention on him. Dogs can typically get scabs from scratching because they are so itchy from fleas. I would still put on flea prevention even if you do not see fleas on him. One flea can jump on him and make him so itchy that he creates a skin infection so you don't always have to see them. If Deacon is on flea prevention then it could be mites or even allergies that made him so itchy. The scabs most likely indicate a skin infection. This is most likely from Deacon scratching from being so itchy. There are great options for allergies these days. They can either take daily medication (Apoquel) or monthly injections (Cytopoint). I would discuss these options with your veterinarian. The other option is he can have mites. There are medications that can be given to resolve the mites (if they are present) and then antibiotics can be given to resolve the skin infecti
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy has small red bumps on skin. He is always itching and sometimes, it became wounds. He has hair loss. He eats dog food ever since. It seems like it's a dog allergy. What can I do to cure my puppy?
Oh my. Poor puppy. His skin is very suspicious of Demodexx mites or Scabies. An underlying flea allergy is also possible. Food allergies are typically not seen in pets this young. On average we see food allergies arise around 2 years of age because they develop over time. I would highly recommend taking Hansung in to your vet to have the skin tested for mites first, especially since this is a vet likely cause. If it is mites then the vet can prescribe medicine to rid the mites and also antibiotics to treat for that severe skin infection he has as well. There are no over the counter products that will help his skin at this point. Poor guy. With proper care and a vet visit you should be able to get a handle on your pet Hansungs skin condition and secondary skin infection. Best of luck to you and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Please help me to solve my dog skin disease,he is scratching all the time.Age 2 now.He has need like this since 1.5 years.Tried many , including local vet and pet shop but nothing worked and now people are suggesting to euthanasia as the disease is g
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. At such a young age, skin parasites are high on my list as the possible cause. This requires anti-parasite medication to treat Browny with. In the US we use products such as Bravecto and Nexgard to treat skin mites, so something comparable should help with a mite infestation. He may also be dealing with a bad bacterial skin infection in addition to the mites or as its own primary problem. He may also need a 2-3 week course of an oral antibiotic and medicated shampoo such as Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved. I would talk to your veterinarian about skin mites as the possible cause, a skin infection or allergies as the cause. If he does not have skin mites or a skin infection, this could certainly be a severe allergy such as Atopic Dermatitis. With Atopic Dermatitis, certain medications like Atopica or Cytopoint can prove to be quite beneficial and helpful at eliminating
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Can't figure out why his coat is so splochy. He has patches that are bald and he chews himself on occasion. What could be the issue? Also, he seems to have mildly bloodshot eyes. Could that be allergies? Thank you!
He could have allergies, skin infection, mites, flea allergy dermatitis, ringworm, etc. Have your vet examine him to determine the exact cause. Your vet can do a skin scrape, cytology, and/or culture to help diagnose and then prescribe medications to treat. He may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, corticosteroid, or other medications depending on the cause.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
I found a stray puppy in the street shivering and crying. I took it to my hostel and bathed it. Then I sensed it is losing hair and kind of flakes all over skin. He itches and cries continuously. What can this be? Also his health was very bad due to
Hello, thank you for helping the puppy. Its likely based on the pictures and signs you are describing that he has a mite infection (Scabies vs Cheyletiella). Alternatively, he could have fleas. It is likely that your puppy may need a medicated bath and both oral/topical medications to treat this. Have a veterinarian evaluate his skin to confirm the suspicion for mites and administer any medications or medicated baths to him. In the interim, ensure you are washing your hands and clothing everytime you are handling the puppy as some of these parasites may be contagious to you and other people. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has two spots that are red with hair loss and sometimes a crusty discharge. One is on his leg and the other on his tail. They haven’t spread but they seem to irritate him as he will naw on them. Is this normal or does he have a skin condition?
Those areas are not normal. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. I would recommend doing a skin scrape to look for mites. He may also need some antibiotics. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! May dog keep on scratching his self, he is a 2 Months old Pomeranian puppy. I went to a vet last sunday, since there was no obvious sign of ticks or fleas and due to may dogs fur it was hard to find. The vet has given my dog a medication for unti
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. Another possibility is mange for example. That is something that can be checked with a physical examination and some basic diagnostics. 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 fo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Have just brought a new puppy home. He is scratching himself a lot and the are little white dots/specks on his fur. He sleeps fine and it doesn't seem to be causing him discomfort. What do you think it might be.
He could just have some dry skin but could also have a skin infection, allergic dermatitis, etc. You could bathe him with a moisturizing dog shampoo and see if that helps. If not, have your vet take a look at him to determine the cause. He may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, or corticosteroid to help treat the problem. Make sure to use a monthly flea prevention, like NexGard, Revolution, Frontline, etc.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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