Sheet
Skin problem
Itching, bald patches, bumps or scabs on the skin. There are many causes: parasites (like mange mites), fungus (ringworm), allergies or infections.
Go to the vet now if…
- Sudden swelling of the face, lips or eyes, especially with vomiting, heavy drooling, trouble breathing or collapse: this is an emergency.
- A swollen face or neck, pus-filled bumps or swollen glands under the jaw, plus fever or low energy.
How you notice it
- Lots of scratching, licking or chewing at the skin.
- Bald patches, sometimes scaly with broken hairs.
- Red skin, bumps or scabs.
- It often starts on the ears, elbows, legs, belly or face.
What to do
- Book a vet visit: many causes look alike, and your vet may need skin scrapings, a culture or other tests.
- Until you know what it is, wash your hands after touching your puppy and don't let them sleep with children or other pets: ringworm and mange are catching.
- Wash the bedding and clean where your puppy sleeps; if it's ringworm, ask your vet how to disinfect your home.
- If it's mange, the other animals living with your puppy may need treatment too.
- Don't use creams, human medicines or home remedies without asking your vet.
- If anyone at home gets itchy skin or patches, they should see their doctor.
Does it spread?
- To other dogs: it depends
- To people: it depends
It depends on the cause: ringworm and sarcoptic mange spread easily to other animals and to people. Your vet will tell you whether your puppy's is catching.
Sources
- Mite Infestation (Mange, Acariasis, Scabies) in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Dryden MW; updated Apr 2026)
- Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Merchant SR; updated Jun 2026)
- Disorders Involving Anaphylactic Reactions (Type I Reactions, Atopy) in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Tizard IR; updated Jul 2026)
- 13 Animal emergencies that require immediate veterinary consultation and/or care
- Understanding Puppy Strangles (Fetto J, DVM)
- Quiet Puppy, Big Problems - juvenile cellulitis case conference (Penny KN; advisors Sullivant A, DACVIM, and Gunter J, DACVD)
- Medication Errors Happen to Pets, Too (Consumer Update, content current as of 13 May 2021)
- Never Give Medications for People to Pets (Bryan L, Pet Health Columns, 19 Sept 2025)
- Nobivac DHPPi lyophilisate for suspension for injection for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics (last revised Aug 2025, approved Dec 2025)
- Directrices de 2024 para la vacunación de perros y gatos (traducción al español de Squires RA et al., J Small Anim Pract 2024): refugios y preguntas sobre glucocorticoides
- 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (Ellis J et al., J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2022) - full text PDF
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet is the one who can tell what's wrong and what to do.