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There are many possible causes for dog skin sores. The treatment depends on the type and cause of the sore. Anytime your dog has a sore that doesn’t go away in a few days or that oozes yellow or green-colored puss, see your vet.
Types of Canine Skin SoresAcute moist dermatitis, or “hot spots” - Round, raw lesions that occur most often on the head, hips, and sides of the chest. They are most common on dogs with long, dense hair, and occur most often during times of hot weather. Hair usually falls out in these areas. The skin becomes very irritated and dogs will often lick and bite at the area.Hot spots can be caused by a number of things, including flea bites, mites, poor grooming, and allergies. Treatment depends on the cause. Clipping the hair around the lesions makes it easier to clean and treat the dog skin sores. If they are infected, oral antibiotics will be prescribed. Treatment will be prescribed for fleas or other parasites, and your vet can instruct you on proper grooming techniques. Demodectic Mange - is a condition caused by mites. It causes dog skin sores that ooze and crust over and also causes hair loss. This may occur in one small area or may occur all over the body. To diagnose demondectic mange, you vet will do a scraping of the affected skin and examine it under a microscope. If your dog has this condition, it is usually treated with a topical medication such as Dermisil for Pet Mange. Picture of Demodectic Mange in Dog
Sarcoptic Mange or Scabies - Scabies is also caused by a mite the enters the skin and then causes redness from the toxin they leave behind and severe scratching by your dog. Red spots are see in patches all over your dog. The best way to diagnose this condition is to begin treatment for Mange and then see if there is immediate improvement. Use a dip such as Dermisil for Pet Mange  which mixes with your dog's shampoo.
Humans can get the condition from their dog so use gloves and be sure to follow directions such as the use of products in well ventilated areas. Picture of Dog Scabies and Sarcoptic Mange
Blastomycosis- is a fungal infection that causes dog skin sores. It is a systemic infection that causes respiratory problems, a reluctance to walk, generalized weakness, a poor appetite, and even blindness. One of the first signs of the illness, however, is round, oozing sores on the skin. The sores may later crust over. This condition usually occurs in the fall and is caused by breathing in spores that are released when your dog digs into the ground. The fungus occurs most often in areas near river valleys or lakes. Blastomycosis in dogs can spread to multiple parts of your dog's body through the blood stream. To diagnosis Blastomycosis, your vet will examine secretions from the sores under a microscope. Blastomycosis is treated with oral anti-fungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) for a period of 6 months and with
anti-fungal medicated shampoo. Picturte of Dog with Blastomycosis
Histoplasmosis- is a less common fungal infection. Like blastomycosis, it is a systemic infection and causes weight loss, cough, fever and diarrhea. It can also cause dog skin sores. It is diagnosed and treated the same way blastomycosis is. Allergies- can cause dog skin sores. These are usually in the form of raised red bumps known as hives. They are itchy and will cause your dog to scratch. Excessive scratching may break the skin, leading to infection. If no infection occurs, hives will usually go away on their own once exposure to the allergen is removed. If infection develops, however, medical treatment will be needed. See your vet if your dog has sores that don’t go away in a few days, or sores that ooze anything yellowish in color. He may need antibiotics. Sources for Dog Skin SoresCarmichael, L.Recent Advances In Canine Infectious Diseases Scott, D. W., Miller, W. H., Griffin, C. E. Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology From Dog Skin Sores to More on Canine Skin Disesaes and Conditions
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