My dog has round belly patches and bumps. Is it allergy or infection?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Boston Terrier | Male | neutered | 8 years and 3 months old | 20 lbs
My 8 year old Boston terrier has some round patches on his belly. There are some raised bumps as well. Is this a skin allergy or something more?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 23rd, 2022
Hi and thanks for your request. These are epidermal collarettes.; they are 'footprints' of a vesicular or pustular lesion. They are therefore a common lesion type in canine pyoderma, which is a type of superficial skin infection. An allergy could be present, but the signs are solely compatible with an infection. Disinfection can be provided with hibiscrub diluted with water 1:10 twice daily. Make sure to rinse off the solution and leave the skin dry. The signs should resolve in the next 4-5 days, if not a check up will be needed.
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 23rd, 2018
This looks like epidermal collarettes. A lot of people assume it is ringworm since they have the typical ring appearance. In fact, they are usually bacterial. I recommend taking Poppy to a veterinarian. They can provide appropriate antibiotics and potentially a topical shampoo to help heal these lesions. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is getting this dry patches like sore on his tummy and under the neck
Hi, and thanks for your question. Although a picture of it would help to determine exactly the underlying nature of this presentation, this could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, 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, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has these red puss bumps all over his belly and under his chin. What is it?
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be 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, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my 5 year old dog has what looks like ringworms she has dry round patches her belly and up around her chest, must are dry looking but there are a couple that look a bit inflamed?
This looks like epidermal collarettes. A lot of people assume it is ringworm since they have the typical ring appearance. In fact, they are usually bacterial. I recommend taking Poppy to a veterinarian. They can provide appropriate antibiotics and potentially a topical shampoo to help heal these lesions. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
So Albert has a belly rash
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, 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, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I recently posted on here asking about some markings on Moose's belly (Please read my last question for more info) Now the markings are red and scaly/scabbing. He's still completely unbothered by it and acting perfectly normal. I've done some researc
It looks as if your dog has a skin infection, most commonly caused by an allergy, a skin mite (Demodex) or fleas. The allergy could be a due to a protein in your dog’s food or an environmental allergy like to dust, pollens, grasses, etc. The allergy causes your dog to itch and chew at the skin which breaks down the skin barrier. This then leads to infection. Skin infections are typically characterized by large areas of hair loss, redness, crusting, flaking, and pustules. A thorough skin examination by your veterinarian should be able to determine the cause of the itch so it can be treated appropriately. Your dog will most likely need antibiotics to help clear up the infection and possibly an allergy/anti-itch medication like Apoquel, Atopica, or Cytopoint to give some relief while the infection clears up. A medicated shampoo may be beneficial as well. I would also recommend he be on a good flea control routinely too. Once the infection has resolved a long term allergy medication
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has constantly been licking and biting his belly. He seems to have some type of pimples or small bumps on it as well. Doesn't seem painful if I touch it lightly. He started with licking and chewing his paws but now its just the stomach. But he
Hi there. What you are describing is suspicious of allergies. While I always recommend that my clients get a skin scrape first to make sure there are no mites, etc, if this is negative we begin the journey to diagnosing the possible allergens. Many dogs have flea allergies. If your pet is up to date on a good flea preventative, this is not as likely. Commonly, dogs can develop food allergies over time as well. The worst part of checking for this is that a true food trial (a new specialized diet) has to be the ONLY thing you feed and can take a few months to see real resorts. Allergy medications are available now through your veterinarian's office. Depending on what they see on physical exam, your pet might be. Candidate for Apoquel or chtopoint injections to control itching. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has black spots on her belly that seem to start getting better then get worse again. Could this just be allergies or flea dust or more like a yeast infection? It doesn’t really seem to bother her.
This looks like a mild bacterial skin infection. Dogs can get this from laying on damp ground. Often it will go away on its own. You can bathe the area with antibacterial shampoo once or twice weekly to help it heal more quickly. Since she’s not bothered by it I’m not overly concerned. Should it worsen please take her in for an exam. She may need oral antibiotics if is gets bad. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Marley.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
10 year old dachshund. Small bumps and skin irratition on one side of stomach. Looking some hair. Does not seem to be painful or to the touch. Not acting out of character. Not scratching that area either. Any advice is helpful. Thank you.
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be 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, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is 4months and has a lot of red bumps all over her belly what is it and what can I do for her?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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 envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my dog has a u shaped scaly raised patch on his belly...not sure what it is, but started to appear after a grooming. wonder what it is?
That appears to be an epidermal collarette. Typically that lesion appears secondary to a skin infection either from allergies or a break in the skin barrier. It can easily spread if untreated. Your vet can examine Rocky to find the reason it started to clear the infection. They make medicated shampoos that will help also.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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