advice?

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. A physical examination would be helpful to determine what the lesions you are referring to and how they should be treated. It could possible be sebaceous gland cysts, a baterial or fungal function or an allergic response to an environmental component. If there are causing discomfort to your dog I would scheduling a visit with your veterinarian to have the lesions evaluated.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

What is canine acne? Canine acne is an inflammatory disorder of the lips and the skin of the muzzle. Dogs with mild cases of acne often have red bumps or pustules (pimples) on their skin. This can, in more severe cases, lead to generalized swelling of the lips and muzzle, bleeding wounds, or scabs on the face.
These lesions usually indicate injury, infection, or disease and require an examination by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. Treatment and prognosis varies depending on the source of the ulcer. A skin ulcer is a deep lesion that can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from bug bites to cancer.
The good news is a crusty scab isn`t normally a cause for major concern. But, there are a few reasons your dog might be experiencing skin irritation or excessive scabbing, such as atopic dermatitis. Go to source , food allergies, scratching trauma, or other skin conditions.
Many of the causes of rashes in dogs are the result of bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections. Bacterial skin infections are called pyoderma, which translates from Greek to “pus” and “skin.” Pyoderma typically causes lesions that look like pimples and can also cause crusty, dry, flaky skin.
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is an infection that causes sores, bumps, and scabs on the skin. These skin abnormalities are easier to see in shorthaired dogs. In longhaired dogs, the most obvious symptoms may be a dull coat and shedding with scaly skin underneath.
Back – Dogs do get pimples on their back. These can be treated like any other zit. However, popping them is not a good option without veterinarian consultation, especially in the case of white head dog pimples. These may be a sign of a sebaceous cyst or, even worse, a mast cell tumor.
What does a cancerous lesion look like on a dog? Veterinarians advise the following signs. One may feel firm, raised wart-like blemishes that are squamous cell carcinoma. One may see rubber-like, inflamed sores that are mast cell tumors.
Hydrocortisone cream is usually okay to apply for a few days directly on the rash. Just be sure your dog doesn`t lick and ingest it (an Elizabethan collar can help).
Mites are tiny spider-like creatures that can typically only be seen with a microscope, but sometimes they may be visible as tiny orange, black or white dots moving on your dog`s skin.
Infected male dogs may have abnormally sized testicles (swollen or shrunken). Other signs observed with canine brucellosis include infertility, anorexia, weight loss, pain, lameness, incoordination, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle weakness.
Treatment of folliculitis may include a medicated shampoo to reduce the bacterial population on the skin and ease the pruritus and discomfort. Treatment will also likely include an oral antibiotic. A dog will typically need to be on an oral antibiotic until one week after all of his symptoms resolve.
Skin infections

The most common scab-causing infection in canines is mange. Tiny mites burrow into your pup`s skin, causing intense itching and hair loss – not nice, we know! According to The Kennel Club, there are a few types of mange and mites that lead to skin infections in dogs: Scabies (sarcoptic mange)

Canine Scabies (Sarcoptic Mange) This form of mange is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. This highly contagious parasite is found on dogs worldwide. It is often called canine scabies.
Sebaceous cyst

Another harmless canine bump is a sebaceous cyst. These cysts are hard bumps that are caused by a blocked sebaceous gland. They are similar to a pimple – slightly swollen and containing a light, creamy matter. They often go away with treatment, but sometimes burst or need to be drained.

Pustule. A small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing pus. Click to zoom. Pustules in a dog with superficial pyoderma, complicating dermodicosis (note also comedones) In dogs, the most important cause of pustular lesions is infection with Staphylococcus intermedius (ie pyoderma).
Cutaneous lymphoma tends to appear first as dry, flaky, red, and itchy patches of skin anywhere on the body. As the disease progresses, the skin becomes moist, ulcerated, very red, and thickened. Masses in the skin can also occur with cutaneous lymphoma.
Cancerous or malignant tumors can be hard or soft. The feel of a mass and whether it bothers your dog has little to do with whether it is cancerous or not.
Mast cell tumors vary in appearance. Some may look like raised bumps within, or just below the surface of, the skin. Others appear as red, ulcerated, bleeding, bruised, and/or swollen growths. Some tumors appear and remain the same size for months or years, while others show a rapid growth pattern over days or weeks.
The most notable sign of dogs with basal cell tumors is the presence of a raised, dome-shaped, hairless mass on the skin. These masses can appear anywhere, but they are most often seen on the dog`s upper body: the head (including ears), neck and shoulder region along the top of the back.
Primary lesions are changes in your skin that aren`t associated with other conditions and include: A flat mark on your skin of a different color than your skin tone (macule or patch). An elevated, pimple-like bump (papule or plaque). An elevated, solid bump (nodule).
Pets too can be affected by hives due to food, flea, or environmental allergies, occasionally with a contact allergy reaction or a possible vaccine reaction leading to the raised bumps!
Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as these can damage the tissue and delay healing. Cover up the wound with a bandage. Apply a small amount of antibacterial ointment and cover the wound with a piece of sterile gauze or other bandage. Use the elastic tape to hold the bandage in place.
Sprays and aerosols containing syngergized pyrethrins should kill mites immediately on contact, though the treatment will only remain effective for up to a few hours. Insecticide sprays containing permethrin or bifenthrin are effective against many mites and should retain their killing properties for several weeks.
Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. My 10 y.o. Springer Spaniel is hypothyroid. Now has hard, pimple-like, itchy lesions on his back. Seems relieved by bathing and combing. Any advice?
ANSWER : A. A physical examination would be helpful to determine what the lesions you are referring to and how they should be treated. It could possible be sebaceous gland cysts, a baterial or fungal function or an allergic response to an environmental component. If there are causing discomfort to your dog I would scheduling a visit with your veterinarian to have the lesions evaluated.

Q. Why does my dog keep licking her butt alot? We can’t take her to the vet. But, after the bath, she seem fine and not lick her butt alot.
ANSWER : A. I would ask the vet (or groomer who gives the bath) if they are expressing your dog’s anal glands during the bath. This is a very common thing for them to do and it would explain why your dog is so comfortable after a bath. It would also explain why your dog licks her bum so often! Dog’s have these bothersome glands that are located right next to their anus called anal glands. These glands fill up every week or two with fluid (in some cases, very thick fluid) and many dogs have a hard time expressing this fluid on their own. This causes them a great deal of discomfort and in turn causes them to lick their bum! Some dogs will even scoot their bum on the carpet in an effort to empty the glands. Your vet (or your groomer in this case) can help you and your dog out by emptying these glands out on a regular basis and keeping your dog comfortable.

Q. My cocker spaniel can’t seem to get on her back feet and it looks as though her back is arched when she is just standing and she is shaking as though
ANSWER : A. I recommend you get her checked out right away. It sounds like she has back pain, and potentially she’s showing signs of some neurologic dysfunction (not being able to use her back legs properly). If she has “slipped” a disk there’s a very short window in which medical intervention can help. An emergency vet (I’m assuming it’s New Year’s Day where you are) will be able to assess her neurologic status and provide the appropriate treatment to not only treat her pain but hopefully restore her neurologic function.

Q. My dog started itching after being spayed. The dog was not itching before being spayed. She does not have fleas. The dog has had 6-7 dog bath shampoos
ANSWER : A. The bathing may be making the problem worse. Dogs should only be bathed if absolutely necessary. So tomorrow is the third day for injections, right? In that case I would be expecting to see improvements by tomorrow when you see your vet. If not then I would be asking for blood tests and depending upon the results of them she may need to be hospitalized on iv fluids. necessary as it strips the skin of its natural oils leading to imbalances which can cause dry, flaky or itchy skin. Leave off bathing for a while and if it continues then you needs to see your vet to establish the cause. It could be external parasites or allergies or a dermatitis. Treatment will vary depending on the cause. Medicated shampoos prescribed by your vet for a particular problem are ok but otherwise try to avoid bathing.

Q. We have 2 Boston Terrier mix dogs both female, 6 and 7 y/o. They go to the groomer often and we use an oatmeal shampoo. They seem to scratch a lot!
ANSWER : A. An oatmeal or sensitive skin shampoo is best for the delicate coat and skin a dog has. Bostons and other “smushed nose” breeds can often have itchy skin especially around folds and wrinkles where bacteria can grow. Dogs can also get dry skin if they are bathed too often! Giving a bath less often than every two weeks can help the skin and coat return to better health by allowing the natural coat oils to evenly penetrate the skin. In between baths, and for those wrinkly folds, a pet or baby wipe can help keep the skin clean and free of bacteria and yeast that may cause itchiness.

Read Full Q/A … : Terrier Mix Photos

Q. What is the disease that affects vertebra on Boxer dogs?
ANSWER : A. There are lots of problems with the back that can go wrong , however one common one is Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVD). This involves a gradual degeneration of the pads between vertebrae that are used to help pad impact and protect the nerves inside the spinal cord. This can cause pain, trouble walking, paralysis and more. Many other back problems can include Wobbler’s Syndrome- a problem where the neck and back meet, or even just plain injury to the back itself. Boxers that have docked tails may also have nerve issues in the cauda equina- a group of nerves that meet at the base of the back and tail and are important in proper function of the lower organs, tail and legs.

Q. My dog has been not be able to put her back left paw down all day.I checked her paw and leg but there is no blood or anything broken that I feel.
ANSWER : A. It could be something from a spraint if happened after exercise from a luxation or more serious orthopedic problems. My advice is always that if poss the dog has to be resting confined for at least 48h you can give a small dose of Paracetamol but never other NSAIDs (completely forgot Ibuprofen and similars) and if doesn’t get better go to your vets for some expertise advice +/- Xrays. Paracetamol/Acetaminophen for dogs dose is 10 mg per Kg, e.g. Dog of 10 kg will need just 100 mg ( 1 part in 5 if you use 500mg tablets) twice a day.

Q. My dog chews on feet, base of tail and general back end and sneezes. She’s been on and of pred. She is perfect on and days later back to same symptoms
ANSWER : A. These are common signs of allergies. Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes (inhaled, food, contact). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet may prescribe a short course of steroids again to break the itch cycle then can dispense or recommend an antihistamine to prevent the itchiness from returning. Some antihistamines work better than others in different dogs, so you will need to find the one that works best. A pet approved colloidal oatmeal bath can also soothe itchy skin. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement (usually a fish oil) to her diet to promote healthy skin. Search www.pet360.com for fish oil supplements. If a diagnosis of allergies is reached, your task is to try to determine what she is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it. Discuss food elimination trials and allergy testing with your vet.