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Why is my senior dog scratching raw with itchy back bumps?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

Hello I have a fairly older dog ( 11 yrs?) And we always had dry back itchy problems. Our decesesd jack Russell suffered from it majorly and it seems she's picking up the same symptoms. She would scratch her back raw and most meditated, or itch relief sprays do no good. I groomed her today and noticed under her fur her skin is full of round bumps were she scratches the most. Are these scabs or are they growths?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 23rd, 2021

I'm sorry to hear that Trixie is also so itchy with these skin issues. Odds are good that she's likely experiencing underlying allergies to fleas, food, or something in her environment. When dogs itch excessively, they damage the outer layer of the skin and can cause skin infections to occur. That said, it's also possible that the underlying culprit of Trixie's issue could be associated with ringworm, mange, or some autoimmune issues. The lesions pictured don't look like growths to me. At this point, Trixie really needs to visit her vet for a full exam to try to get to the underlying cause so that an appropriate course of treatment can be started. Odds are good that she'll need oral antibiotics, anti-itch medications, and good quality flea prevention - potentially in addition to other medications. I hope that everything goes well!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 22nd, 2018

    Unfortunately without seeing Poppy in person, I can't definitively diagnose that growth. It could be a benign growth, or it could be malignant. In an older dog, a malignant growth is always a possibility. If she has lots of other bumps, it could be she has an allergic reaction or a skin infection. The only way to know for sure is to have her seen by a vet. I'd take her into one this week for diagnosis and treatment. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

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