Dogs can develop red spots on their stomach for multiple reasons, especially when they are young. The treatment depends on the cause, which might be a bacterial infection, allergies, or age-related.
Severity:
Usually mild to moderate.
Table of Contents
Key points
- The most common cause of red spots on your dog’s stomach is a bacterial infection called pyoderma.
- In pyoderma, the red spots are called papules.
- Puppies and dogs with allergies or sensitive skin are particularly prone to developing red spots.
- A veterinarian will need to examine your dog to find out the cause.
- Treatment might involve antibiotics in the form of tablets or a medicated wash.
Common in
Puppies; however, any dog can develop red spots on their skin for various reasons.
Symptoms & types
Red spots on your dog’s belly can be due to infection, inflammation, bruising, or burst blood vessels. If the cause is a skin infection, you might notice a particular smell, and the skin might be crusty or scabby. You might also see spot-like pustules, and your dog might show signs of being sore or itchy. If the spots are due to inflammation, your pooch will also be feeling itchy and might be restless or scratching relentlessly. You might also see redness or swelling of the surrounding skin, especially if the cause is an insect bite or sting, or another trauma.
When the cause is inflammation or infection, your dog is likely to be otherwise well and eating normally. However, if the red spots are bruises or hemorrhages within the skin, known as petechiae, you might notice your dog being more lethargic, seeming weak, or eating less. They might also have blood in their stools, pale gums, or hemorrhages on their gums or eyes.
Red spots are usually a sign of a bacterial skin infection or inflammation of the skin.
Understanding the diagnostics
If your dog has red spots on their stomach, your veterinarian will need to find out the cause. They will start by doing a head-to-toe-to-tail examination to check for any skin lesions elsewhere and to make sure that your dog is otherwise well. They’ll also talk to you about any symptoms you’ve noticed that might suggest an underlying problem. The veterinarian might decide that the skin lesions combined with the symptoms and the findings of their examination mean that a treatment trial is appropriate. However, if they are concerned about an underlying condition, they might suggest doing a blood test.
If treatment is ineffective, or if the skin condition looks unusual, the veterinarian might decide to take a swab or tape strip sample to check for bacteria and yeast. They might also take samples of hair or skin scrapes to check for fungus or parasites. A blood sample can be sent to try to identify any allergies. Finally, if required, they might suggest taking a biopsy.
Learning about the causes
Red spots or raised red bumps on the skin can appear for multiple reasons, some more common than others.
Pyoderma
Pyoderma, a bacterial infection of the skin, is one of the most common causes of red spots on the skin, known as papules. These papules change over time, becoming pustules with a white pus head before turning into crusty epidermal collarettes. Pyoderma is often itchy and sore and is particularly common in puppies or dogs with allergic skin disease.
Puppy pyoderma is usually relatively mild compared to other types, and you can find more about it on our blog post. Allergic skin disease, also known as atopy, causes intense itching. When your dog scratches, they damage the skin barrier, allowing bacteria to enter, leading to pyoderma. If pyoderma is caused by allergies, the red spots are often seen in certain areas like the groin, belly, armpits, or muzzle. You can find out more about dog skin conditions here.
Inflammation
Sometimes red spots on the skin are not related to infection, just inflammation. Inflammation of the skin can be caused by allergies, insect bites, and stings, heat rash, or parasites like fleas. However, without treatment, skin inflammation will often progress to infection when scratching introduces bacteria.
Bleeding Disorder
Much more rarely, red spots on the skin can signify a bleeding disorder. Low platelet levels, known as thrombocytopenia, can prevent the blood from clotting, causing tiny hemorrhages on the skin.
If the red spots are mild and your dog is otherwise well, you can try to bathe the area with salt water.
Best treatment options
- Pyoderma is usually treated with antibiotics, mostly in tablet form. However, some cases of puppy pyoderma respond to medicated washes like chlorhexidine or even saltwater used to bathe the area. Sometimes an anti-inflammatory is prescribed to help give your dog some relief from the itching.
- Allergic skin disease can be treated with anti-allergy tablets; however, these are often required long term if the allergen can’t be avoided. Anti-allergy or anti-inflammatory medications are also effective in treating insect bites or stings.
- If your dog has a bleeding disorder, they may require a blood or plasma transfusion. Depending on the cause, they might also require steroids and other immunosuppressive medications or supplementation with Vitamin K, which is essential for clotting.
Home remedies & their effectiveness
Mild skin inflammation and puppy pyoderma sometimes respond to saltwater used to bathe the area. It’s also helpful to use socks to cover the paws to prevent skin damage from scratching. However, if your pooch seems unwell or sore or has any other symptoms, you should speak to your veterinarian before trying to help them at home.
When to see a vet
If your dog has signs of bleeding or bruising on their skin, eyes, or gums, or if their gums are pale, you should speak to a veterinarian without delay. Bleeding disorders can be very serious, and prompt assessment is required.
If your pup only has a small number of red spots that aren’t bothering them, and they are well in themselves, you can try using salt water to bathe the area and monitor to see if they improve. If the spots remain after a few days, or if your dog seems at all unwell, you should make arrangements for a veterinarian to examine them.
Summary
Thankfully, most causes of red spots or rashes on your dog’s skin are relatively straightforward to treat. However, if there is an underlying cause, like an allergy, they might need long-term medication. If your dog has red spots on their belly, it’s best to get them checked out by a veterinarian to ensure they’re on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Dr. Hannah Godfrey MRCVS graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. Although she initially worked in mixed practice treating all species, she found a love for small animal work and has worked exclusively with dogs and cats since 2014. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and two cats (named Poppy and Ashton Kutcher), and writes comedy fiction in her spare time.
FAQ
Red spots are usually a sign of a bacterial skin infection or inflammation of the skin. However, there are some other possible causes, so you should always speak to a veterinarian if you are concerned.
If the red spots are mild and your dog is otherwise well, you can try to bathe the area with salt water. However, most cases will require a course of either antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or both.
It’s best not to put any home remedies or creams on your dog’s belly rash without speaking to a veterinarian first. Using salt water to bathe the skin will reduce bacteria numbers and sometimes help the skin heal. However, if the inflammation doesn’t soon improve, you should seek veterinary advice.
Heat rash isn’t as common in dogs as in humans, and there’s often an underlying cause, like allergies. However, if your dog has a heat rash, you might notice a red, speckled rash that disappears after a short period. If your dog is itchy, it’s vital to stop them licking or scratching, as they may introduce infection.
Dr. Hannah Godfrey MRCVS graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. Although she initially worked in mixed practice treating all species, she found a love for small animal work and has worked exclusively with dogs and cats since 2014. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and two cats (named Poppy and Ashton Kutcher), and writes comedy fiction in her spare time.
