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What are irritated spots on my dog's belly and how to treat them?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 66 lbs

I noticed something strange on my dog's belly near his genitals and I'm not sure if it's insect bites or foxtail or something else. It seems to be irritating him and he's been licking the area more often. I also noticed 2 more of those on his stomach area. Attached are 3 pics of his belly. Please let me know what you think this is and if there's any treatment for it. Thank you very much!

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 15th, 2018

Thanks for using PetCoach! The pictures didn’t come out very well on my end for some reason but these could be pyodermas small skin infections). This is usually due to underlying allergies. Allergies commonly appear at age 2-4 but can develope at any time. If that is the case, they are usually environmental but if you’ve switched food or added a new treat in the last few weeks, that could be a cause too. Finally, new shampoo, change in laundry soap, etc can also cause this to flare up. Treatment is topical (including medicated shampoo) or oral antibiotics and addressing underlying allergies of needed. It is also possible that these spots are mites or ringworm, insect bites, or other. Try Benedryl (see link below) and a medicated shampoo like Duoxo Calm first if you like. Bathe twice weekly during a flare up, then every 1-2 weeks for maintenance. If no improvement in a week (or worsening at any time) it’s time to see the vet for a better diagnosis and treatment. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl Best of luck to you and Oliver!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 7th, 2020

    Hello. Lacey looks like she has some kind of allergic reaction going on, and a secondary bacterial infection. She probably needs to be on antibiotics, but until you can have her seen, I would gently wipe her skin down with a skin antiseptic like Hibiclens, available at all pharmacies. Just dab it on the lesions & let it dry without rinsing. Repeat twice a day. Then, please see your veterinarian for further treatments. Good luck & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 17th, 2017

    It could be a bacterial skin infection, allergic dermatitis, ringworm, mites, etc. You could bathe him with a medicated dog shampoo and see if that helps. Otherwise, he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. Your vet can do a skin scrape, cytology, or culture to help diagnose and then prescribe medications to treat. He may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, and/or a corticosteroid to treat.

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