Canine Spots: Are They Possible for Dogs

As a dog owner, you may have noticed that your dog sometimes develops unusual spots or bumps on their skin. While spots on dogs may seem like a simple cosmetic issue, they can often signal underlying health problems that require attention. So, can dogs get spots? The answer is yes—dogs can develop spots, bumps, or lesions on their skin for various reasons, from minor irritations to more serious health concerns.

In this article, we will explore the different types of spots dogs can get, their potential causes, how to identify them, and the best treatments. Whether your dog has developed a single spot or several, understanding the cause is key to ensuring your dog’s skin health and overall well-being.

What Are Spots on Dogs?

When we refer to "spots" on dogs, we are generally talking about small, round, or irregularly shaped lesions or changes in the skin’s appearance. These spots can vary in size, color, and texture and can be caused by a wide range of factors. The spots may appear as pimples, bumps, rashes, or patches of skin with a different color or texture. In some cases, they may be inflamed, itchy, or painful to the touch.

There are several reasons your dog may develop spots on their skin. These can be broadly categorized into skin infections, allergic reactions, parasitic infestations, genetic conditions, and other environmental factors. Let's take a closer look at each cause.

1. Skin Infections

Skin infections are one of the most common causes of spots on dogs. They can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or yeast.

• Bacterial Infections: Dogs with bacterial infections often develop raised, pus-filled spots or abscesses. Bacterial infections like pyoderma are commonly caused by Staphylococcus bacteria and are often the result of an existing injury, wound, or irritation.
• Fungal Infections: Fungal infections, such as ringworm, can cause circular, scaly spots that may be itchy or hairless. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that requires prompt treatment to prevent it from spreading.
• Yeast Infections: Yeast infections are common in dogs, especially in areas with moisture, like the ears, armpits, or groin. Malassezia is the yeast responsible for many of these infections, and the spots can appear red and inflamed.

2. Allergic Reactions

Allergies can cause your dog to develop red, itchy spots or rashes on their skin. There are several types of allergies that could lead to spots:

• Flea Allergies: Flea allergy dermatitis is a common condition in dogs, where the dog’s immune system reacts to flea saliva, causing itching and the development of raised, red spots, especially on the back, tail, and belly.
• Food Allergies: Dogs can develop allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food, like chicken, beef, or grains. These food allergies can lead to itchy spots, ear infections, and other skin problems.
• Environmental Allergies: Pollen, mold, dust mites, and other allergens can cause skin rashes or bumps in sensitive dogs. Seasonal allergies are common, especially in the spring and fall.

3. Parasitic Infestations

Parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and lice can cause spots on dogs by irritating the skin or feeding on the dog's blood. Common parasitic conditions include:

• Fleas: Flea infestations can cause itching, hair loss, and the appearance of red, inflamed spots on the skin. Fleas are often the cause of flea allergy dermatitis, which makes the spots worse.
• Mites: Mange, caused by the Demodex or Sarcoptes mite, can cause scabs, hair loss, and crusty spots on the dog’s skin. Mange is highly contagious and requires veterinary treatment.
• Ticks and Lice: Ticks and lice feed on the dog’s blood and can cause irritation, leading to spots or bumps. In severe cases, ticks can transmit diseases that lead to further complications.

4. Hot Spots

Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are inflamed, painful areas on a dog’s skin that can develop rapidly. They are often caused by excessive licking, scratching, or chewing due to itching or pain. Hot spots can appear as red, moist, and oozy spots, and they often develop in response to allergies, infections, or parasites.

5. Hormonal or Metabolic Disorders

Certain hormonal or metabolic disorders can cause changes to a dog’s skin, leading to the formation of spots:

• Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone levels can cause skin issues such as hair thinning, dull coat, and the development of dark, scaly spots.
• Cushing’s Disease: Excessive cortisol production can cause thinning skin, hair loss, and the appearance of dark spots or hyperpigmented areas.
• Alopecia: In some cases, hormonal imbalances can result in hair loss and spots on the skin. This can sometimes be linked to genetic conditions like black skin disease in certain dog breeds.

Related: How To Treat Cushing's Disease In Dogs

6. Trauma or Injury

Spots can also develop due to trauma, such as cuts, scratches, or insect bites. If your dog has recently been in an accident or been scratched, the injury can cause localized inflammation and redness. In some cases, these spots may become infected, which would require veterinary intervention.

7. Genetic Conditions

Certain dog breeds are genetically predisposed to developing skin conditions that cause spots or patches. For example:

• Boxers and Bulldogs are prone to developing pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection that can result in pustules and spots.
• Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos may develop hot spots due to their long, thick coats, which can trap moisture and lead to irritation.

Symptoms to Watch for

If your dog has developed spots on their skin, watch for additional symptoms that may indicate the cause:

• Itching or Scratching: Excessive itching, licking, or scratching around the spots is common in dogs with allergies or infections.
• Redness and Swelling: Spots may appear red, inflamed, or swollen, especially if the underlying cause is an infection or allergic reaction.
• Hair Loss: Dogs with infected spots or allergies may experience hair loss in the affected areas.
• Oozing or Crusting: If the spots are infected, they may ooze pus or develop crusts. This is common in hot spots or infected wounds.
• Lethargy or Loss of Appetite: If the spots are caused by a serious infection, hormonal disorder, or parasite infestation, your dog may feel unwell, leading to fatigue or a decrease in appetite.

How to Treat Hot Spots in Dogs?

Hot spots in dogs, also known as pyoderma or acute moist dermatitis, are usually caused by prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, or by friction and irritation of the skin. Here are some ways to treat hot spots in dogs.

1. Keep the skin clean and dry

The formation of hot spots is related to the humidity of the skin, so keeping the skin clean and dry is the key to treatment. You can bathe your dog with a mild pet-friendly body wash and then dry it thoroughly, especially in the skin folds and areas where water tends to accumulate.

2. Avoid irritation

Avoid leaving your dog in a hot, humid environment for long periods of time to reduce friction and irritation to the skin. If your dog likes to lie in a particular place, you can put a breathable mat or towel on that place.

3. Medication

Some topical medications can be used to treat hot spots, such as creams or sprays containing antibiotics and antifungal ingredients to prevent infection and promote healing. If the hot spots are more serious, oral antibiotics or other medications may be needed, which should be done under the guidance of your veterinarian.

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4. Elizabethan collar

To prevent your dog from licking or scratching the hot spot area, which may worsen the condition, you can put an Elizabethan collar on your dog.

5. Dietary adjustments

Ensure that your dog has a balanced diet to enhance the health of the skin. Some studies suggest that specific nutrients (such as Omega-3 fatty acids) may help improve skin health. 

6. Veterinary examination

If hot spots persist or symptoms worsen, take your dog to the vet promptly for further examination and treatment.

Please note that the above recommendations are based on general treatments and the specific treatment plan should be determined based on your dog's specific condition and your veterinarian's recommendations.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Spotting in Dogs?

I. Changes in the appearance of spots

• Size

If the spot grows rapidly in size over a short period of time (e.g. within a few weeks), this is a sign to be wary of. For example, if a spot that was originally only a few millimetres in diameter rapidly grows to several centimetres, this may suggest an underlying health problem, such as a skin tumour, that requires medical attention.

• Shape

Normal genetic spots or age spots are usually relatively regular in shape. When the shape of the spot becomes irregular, such as jagged edges, jagged appearance, or when an originally rounded spot begins to extend irregularly around the periphery, it may suggest the presence of a lesion and medical attention should be considered.

• Colour

A sudden deepening of colour, such as a change from light brown to black, or an uneven colour with a mixture of colours (e.g. black mixed with red or white), may be a sign of a skin problem and require medical examination.

II. Accompanying Symptoms

• Hair loss

If hair loss occurs around the spot or in the area where the spot is located, this may be a symptom of a skin disease (e.g. fungal infection, parasitic infection or endocrine disorders). For example, a ringworm infection can cause localised skin hair loss along with the appearance of spots, a condition that requires you to take your dog to the vet.

• Itching

Frequent scratching and licking of the spot by your dog indicates that the spot may be causing itching. Itching can be caused by allergies, skin infections, and a variety of other reasons, such as flea allergy dermatitis, which not only causes spots to appear on your dog's skin, but also causes intense itching, which requires medical attention to determine the cause of the condition and treat it.

• Redness, swelling or pain

Redness and swelling of the skin around the spot, or a painful reaction (e.g. avoidance, whining, etc.) when the dog touches the spot or the area around the spot, may be a sign of inflammation or a more serious disease, such as cellulitis caused by a bacterial infection, and should be treated as soon as possible.

• Discharge or breakdown

The appearance of secretions on the spot, such as purulent secretions or clear ooze, or the spot appears to be broken or bleeding, this is a more serious symptom, may be a manifestation of skin infections, tumours and other diseases, and need to seek immediate medical attention.

III. Overall health of the dog

• Mental state

If the dog is depressed after the spot, no longer as active as usual, and lacks interest in things that usually interest him (such as toys and food), it may be that the health problems behind the spot are affecting the dog's overall health, and medical examination is needed.

• Appetite changes

When a dog develops spots and then has a significant decrease in appetite or develops an abnormal hyper appetite, this may be related to endocrine disorders or other systemic diseases, for example, hypothyroidism may lead to a decrease in appetite and weight gain at the same time as the dog develops spots, and medical attention is needed for diagnosis.

• Other abnormal behaviours

If the dog appears to be limping and the spots are located on the legs or nearby areas, the problem of the spots may affect the bones or joints (e.g. skin tumours invading the surrounding tissues) or it may be a local manifestation of a systemic disease, which needs to be examined by a doctor.

FAQs

Can you squeeze spots on dogs?

Conclusion

Yes, dogs can get spots on their skin, and these spots can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, allergies, parasites, hormonal imbalances, and even genetic conditions. While some spots may be harmless and temporary, others can indicate a more serious underlying issue. It’s important to monitor your dog’s skin health closely and seek veterinary advice if the spots persist or worsen.

By staying proactive in your dog’s care, you can help prevent many common skin conditions and ensure your dog remains healthy and comfortable.