As a rule, a rash on the abdomen in a dog occurs in connection with an allergic reaction. However, there are a number of diseases that can trigger the appearance of red spots and black spots on the skin of a pet. What to do if the skin condition of the animal has noticeably worsened? What ailments can this be related to? We will find out about this.
Common symptoms
Red dots on the dog’s stomach can appear suddenly. Moreover, the animal will suffer from itching. In addition to a rash on the abdomen, the dog also has the following symptoms:
- dandruff;
- itching
- baldness and partial loss;
- anxiety.
The animal becomes too worried, constantly itching. In some cases, touching red spots can cause severe pain.
What triggers the appearance of a rash
Where does the dog get a rash on his stomach? The appearance of irritations can be due to various reasons, so it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis right away. The appearance of dots on the skin of an animal is often associated with flea bites. One of the common causes of itchy spots is food allergy. If there is an excess of protein in the dog’s diet, this can lead to such a reaction.
Veterinarians identify the following causes of a dog rash on a stomach:
- allergy (food, environmental);
- helminthic invasion;
- microbes;
- fleas
- skin damage with further infection;
- parasitic diseases
The appearance of red spots can also be caused by allergies to shampoo. If the rash occurs after bathing, you need to change the detergent.
Possible diseases
If a rash appears on the dog’s stomach and itches, it is possible that this is a signal of serious health problems. In order not to start the ailment, you need to pay attention to such changes and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Swollen red spots on a dog’s skin can cause the following diseases:
- staphylococcal or streptococcal infection;
- malignant tumor;
- scabies;
- lichen;
- demodicosis;
- eczema, dermatitis.
Parasitic rash
Often the appearance of a red rash on the abdomen in a dog is associated with parasitic skin diseases. Typically, a rash occurs due to the activity of fleas and ticks. Parasites such as fleas do not pose a threat to the life of the pet, with ticks the situation is completely different. How to understand that an animal has encountered a parasitic disease? A number of symptoms will testify to this:
- small red rash in the abdomen and tail;
- bald spots in the neck and hind legs.
In addition, there are changes in the behavior of the animal - it often whines and constantly itches. With a scabies mite, purulent wounds and scabs occur. Demodecosis is another cause of skin problems in dogs. Such an ailment requires serious treatment. A red skin rash is often caused by helminthic invasion. To exclude this phenomenon, it is necessary to give anthelmintic drugs to dogs on time. If worms are suspected, it is necessary that the treatment regimen be drawn up by a veterinarian.
Neurogenic rash
In veterinary practice, there are cases when the rash occurs due to psychosomatic reasons. If the pet feels lonely, she begins to bite herself, lick wounds that do not have time to heal. It is in them that infection can penetrate, which in turn will lead to serious health problems. In this case, you will have to turn your attention to toys, try to devote more time to it.
Malassesia - a fungal skin disease
Fungal damage to the skin is provoked by yeast from the genus Malassesia. The causative agent belongs to the group of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, which under normal conditions inhabit the skin of animals, but begin to actively develop against the background of weakened immunity.
The appearance of this ailment can be caused by the following factors:
- skin pathologies;
- keeping the animal in conditions of high humidity;
- weakening of immunity.
As a rule, dogs with skin folds (sharpei, bulldogs, pugs) face this ailment. Microorganisms begin to actively develop, a primary focus of inflammation is formed, which is complicated by another microflora. In addition to a rash on the abdomen, suppuration in the ears is formed in the dog, the animal constantly shakes its head.
If a bacterial infection joins, purulent otitis media develops, a pustular rash appears on the skin. A black rash on a dog’s stomach is another major symptom of a fungal infection. Against the background of damage to the sebaceous glands, a fetid odor arises. The detection of fungi is possible by microscopy.
For local treatment of the skin using "Chlorhexidine." The dog is bathed with Nizoral and Lactaderm shampoos. To suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, “Ketoconazole” is prescribed. To prevent the development of fungal diseases in a dog, it is necessary to provide the animal with normal conditions of detention and pay attention to changes in the skin.
What else could be causing black dots on a dog’s skin
If the hair follicles become clogged with the secretion of the sebaceous gland, black spots appear on the skin of the animal. Such a pathology is often encountered by hairless dog breeds.
A common cause of the appearance of black dots is considered a hormonal disorder. Particular attention should be paid to genetic predisposition. It has already been said above that a skin rash in dogs occurs against the background of such a parasitic disease as demodicosis. In addition to red spots, black dots appear. For treatment, detergents are prescribed, in which benzoyl peroxide is present. Such shampoos cleanse the skin well, eliminate comedones, normalize the sebaceous glands. If the disease is complicated by the accession of a secondary infection, it makes sense to resort to systemic therapy. The animal is prescribed antibiotics, antiseptic preparations for treating the skin, and means for relieving itching and inflammation.
Hyperpigmentation
Excessive deposition of pigment in the skin and hair is the reason for the appearance of tar spots on the abdomen. Over time, this phenomenon can be seen in other areas. Lentigo will not damage the health of the pet, so resorting to treatment methods is not required.
Acquired hyperpigmentation can also be caused by other reasons:
- bacterial and fungal infections;
- chronic allergies;
- demodicosis.
- hypercorticism.
Rash treatment
The procedure for treating a skin rash in a dog depends on what triggered the appearance of skin problems. To do this, show the animal to the veterinarian and make an accurate diagnosis.
If during diagnostic measures it turns out that the rash on the skin of the dog was caused by a food allergy or parasitic infection, treatment will be prescribed, which includes:
- Taking antihistamines. Such drugs are aimed at relieving itching, redness and swelling.
- Outdoor processing. If, in addition to red spots on the abdomen, severe itching is observed, ointments, sprays and gels with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects will be required.
- Diet. If the rash and itching are caused by food allergies, you will have to make adjustments to your pet's menu. All potential allergens will need to be removed from the diet. If possible, it must be transferred to a high-quality hypoallergenic feed.
You can use potassium permanganate solution to treat the rash and treat the scratches. This tool copes with the elimination of unpleasant odors.
Salicylic acid also gives good results in the treatment of a red rash in a dog on his stomach (photo can be seen in the article). An antiseptic drug has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, dries the skin, destroys pathogenic microbes. To treat the rash, you need to use an alcohol solution. However, he is not interested in it, because it dries out the skin and provokes peeling.
In addition to liquid antiseptics, you can resort to treatment with various ointments (antifungal and anti-inflammatory). Before applying a bandage, the surface with a rash and wounds must be decontaminated.
Dog Care Tips
If the pet has red spots and itching on the skin, it must be shown to the veterinarian. In the clinic, you can pass all the tests and undergo a full examination.
If you suspect an allergy, you must abandon cosmetics that were previously used in caring for animals. Household chemicals also often provoke an allergy in a dog, so you also have to be careful with them.
External treatment of the rash is carried out by applying ointments, creams, lotions and powders. It is imperative to pay attention to animal hygiene. If he has many folds, they must be cleaned regularly to exclude the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
In no case should you give your pet expired food and products of dubious quality. It is forbidden to treat a dog with confectionery and smoked meats.
Conclusion
If there is a rash on the belly of a pet, you need to try to find out in time what caused these problems. It is possible that redness and itching are caused by serious diseases, so in any case, a veterinarian examination will be required.