Dog Skin Scabs around Eyes and Mouth

by Rebecca
(Nanoose bay, bc)

Reader Question: What is cause of dog skin scabs around eyes and mouth?


My dog is perfectly healthy 1 and a half-year-old husky black lab border collie mix. Recently she has been scratching a lot but doesn't appear to have fleas and has developed small scabs on her eyelids on one of her eyes. Then I noticed a couple of small scabs around her mouth.

I'm not sure if she just scratched herself or if it's something more serious. I have given her a bath and put some Polysporin eye ointment on it that is supposed to kill bacteria and help to heal the eye.

I have not taken her in to see the vet yet. Any advice?

Suggestion From Our Vet

Hi Rebecca,

Even though you have not seen fleas on your dog, it is still possible that they are causing her itchiness and skin lesions. When dogs are allergic to flea bites, it takes just one or two fleas, which you'd never be able to find, to cause a reaction like you describe. It certainly wouldn't hurt to treat your dog with an effective flea control medication (like one that contains the active ingredient fipronil) and monitor her response.

Of course, there are many other conditions that also could be playing a role here including allergies, parasitic mites, and bacterial and fungal infections. If your dog's condition fails to improve after you apply a flea medication or gets worse at any time, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Regards,

Jennifer Coates, DVM

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