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What is this?

1K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  aesthetic 
#1 ·
I was taking a look at the spot right under Kaizer's armpit today because he's been itching in that particular area lately, and seeing as we live in the NE, I was worried about ticks. There are no ticks, but there are three bumps (a big one and two little ones) that are red and the skin is peeling on it. It's not bloody and doesn't feel hot to the touch. My brother first noticed it when I was out of the house on Sunday, and it wasn't as red then. Today, it's a lot more red. Is this a hotspot?

Also, as an inexperienced dog owner, is this a male nipple? It looked a little weird to me so I thought I should ask..

The first picture is of the skin flake that I peeled off (the skin is peeling only where the red areas/bumps are - I checked). The second and third pictures are from Sunday. The fourth picture is the same area, just today. It got a lot redder. The fifth picture is the third, smaller bump. I think it's new because it wasn't there before, but the skin there (the beige colored skin) flakes off too. The fifth picture is the nipple (I think it's a nipple? it around his armpit area on the lower chest/upper ribcage). Sorry some pictures are blurry, he wanted to check out what we were doing.
 

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#3 ·
The first four pictures look like epidermal collarettes to me -- pyoderma (skin infection). There are other things they could be, but that's my first thought based solely on pictures. The last picture could be a nipple, but without being able to see it in the context of the whole dog, and the other nipples, it's hard to say. Could also be a cyst or a pustule.

Given the first four pictures, a trip to your vet is in order, and you can then have them determine nipple vs. other for you.

Hope that helps
 
#4 ·
Looks like Kaizer's got a irritated spot under his armpit, could be a beginning of a hot spot too.

Yes, the last picture is his nipple, nothing to be concerned about.

I keep a bottle of Vetericyn on hand for minor skin irritations, scrapes, etc. I originally got it from my Vet clinic, they use it and recommend it.

Here's the website link for it with more info, I know order it from Amazon.

Vetericyn Plus All Animal Wound and Skin Care 4 oz Liquid (pump) - Dog Care
 
#6 ·
Thank you guys! I think a vet visit is in order anyway, because Kaizer just expressed his anal glands all over the backseat of the car - something he didn't do even when he had an anal gland infection. He's been acting weird lately too. I'm hoping the vet will say that it's just a hot spot and it's nothing to worry about lol
 
#10 ·
For something like this, we stuck with our "usual" practice (different vet though because I think he does a better job). If it was anything major or of more concern, I'd probably go to Dr. Shultz.

The vet said allergies for his anal gland issue, his ears (which I didn't mention but they're red and irritated) and his sneezing. I don't think his food is the issue because he's been eating the same food forever and we didn't have this problem until spring/summer. We're giving him 50mg of Benadryl 2x a day and seeing if that makes a difference. We got a spray (I can't remember what it was called) for his skin too. Vet thinks it's the beginning of a hotspot caused by an allergy (Kaizer's constantly itching that area).
 
#12 ·
The spots are going away! I have been giving him Benadryl (not everyday, because I sometimes forget) and I think that's helping. I haven't given him Benadryl since Saturday and I'm noticing that he's itching much more. I found a thing on his arm (I'm not sure how to explain where it is, it's right above his elbow on the inner part of his body). I'm not quite sure how to explain the thing either, but I'll try. It's bright red and the skin was peeling similar to how it was peeling on his side. The area looks and feels like loose skin. It's kind of like there was something pop-able under it that popped and left the skin stretched like that. I'm not sure how to explain it better than that. It's in such a weird place that it'd be hard to get a picture (you can't see it if you look at him either, you have to stretch his skin over the elbow to see it even remotely clearly). The only reason I know it's there is because I stroke Kaizer there pretty often, and I was petting him in the car and I felt it - it feels like a small bump from the way the loose skin folds over. It's a recent development too, cause it wasn't there before (I found it the day after the vet visit). I'm keeping an eye on it and it doesn't seem to be getting worse or bothering Kaizer.

I'm sorry this was such a long drawn out answer to a simple question. Thank you for checking in though! It means a lot :)
 
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#15 ·
I'm thinking it's allergies to something outdoors. Itching wasn't an issue until May/June. We'll see, if it stops in October, then it's seasonal allergies. If it continues, I'll have to look at his food. He's been on the same food ever since he could eat solid food, and has always done well on it, so I'm hoping that's not the issue.

P.S. the thing on the inside of his arm isn't red anymore - it's normal skin color. It still looks weird but I think it's getting better overall.
 
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