Soars in various areas on my dog

by Denise
(St Clair Shores, Mich)

My dog is itching more than usual. He is getting a large soar on his back. Also more smaller bumps

On other areas of his body. His ears feel very hot, he is not eating like normal. He is just laying around a lot.

What do you think, what should we do?

Thank you,

Dena

Suggestions from the Team at Dog Health Guide

Hi Dena,

Thanks for writing in, and I'm sorry to hear your dog isn't feeling well. Based on what you're describing, I want to be upfront: this combination of symptoms — a large sore, spreading bumps, hot ears, no appetite, and lethargy — is enough that I'd get him seen by a veterinarian in the next day or so rather than waiting it out at home. Here's my thinking as to why, though please keep in mind I'm not a vet myself, just someone who's spent a lot of time researching dog health.

The large sore on his back

A single sore that's appeared quickly and looks moist, red, or oozy is a classic pattern for what's commonly called a "hot spot" (acute moist dermatitis). Hot spots usually start with itching — often from an allergy, insect bite, ear infection, or even just an irritation the dog won't stop licking or scratching — and then spiral quickly because the constant scratching breaks the skin and lets bacteria move in. Once that happens, hot spots can grow fast and become genuinely infected, which is one reason vets recommend having anything more than 24 hours old checked out.

The smaller bumps elsewhere on his body

Bumps showing up in multiple spots, on top of the one big sore, points toward something broader than a single localized irritation. This kind of pattern often comes from allergic reactions (food, fleas, or something environmental), a bacterial skin infection called pyoderma, or a parasitic issue like mange. All of these can look similar to an owner at home but need different treatments, which is really the crux of why a vet exam and possibly some simple diagnostics (skin scraping, cytology) make a real difference here.

Hot ears, not eating, and lots of lying around

This is the part that moves this from "let's keep an eye on it" to "let's get him seen soon." Warm ears, reduced appetite, and lethargy together are the textbook signs owners typically notice when a dog is running a fever. A skin infection that's been building for a while can absolutely cause a fever like this, especially if bacteria have gotten past the surface of the skin. None of these signs on their own is an emergency, but stacked together, they suggest his body is fighting something systemic, not just dealing with a local skin irritation.

What I'd do

Try not to let him lick or scratch the sore any more than you can help — a soft cone or recovery collar can help while you get him to the vet. Avoid putting any home remedies, hydrogen peroxide, or over-the-counter creams on the sore, since some common household products actually slow healing or sting quite a bit on already-inflamed skin. If you're able to check, a resting temperature over about 103°F in a dog is generally considered feverish and worth mentioning to the vet directly.

I'd call your vet today and describe the sore, the bumps, the hot ears, and the appetite and energy changes — most clinics will want to see a dog with this combination of symptoms fairly promptly, and if it's after hours or your vet can't fit him in quickly, this would also be reasonable to take to an emergency vet, especially if he seems to be getting worse, is unusually weak, or won't drink water either.

I hope he's feeling better again soon, Dena. Please let us know how he's doing.

— The Dog Health Guide Team

This response is intended to provide general information and perspective for pet owners and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or care.