Dog Skin Rash on Body

A dog skin rash on the belly can be indicative of an external infection or an internal condition. A proper diagnosis is crucial, so that the dog can get proper treatment. Typically, the condition is not life threatening, but may cause a lot of discomfort in the dog.

Causes of Skin Rashes on Belly

If you detect a skin rash on your dog’s belly you may suspect a number of causes such as:

• Fleas, which are frequently stopping on the belly, which is warm and appealing for fleas. The rashes may be due to the irritation caused by the presence of the fleas or may also be due to an allergic reaction to the flea bites.
• Allergies due to the various substances that penetrate the dog’s skin (i.e. pollens, dust mites, chemicals) or contact with various metals, detergents, fertilizers or textiles
• Yeast infections such as candida are frequently located on the dog’s skin and most commonly on the belly
• Bacterial skin infections
• Food intolerance (i.e. to lactose), which often manifest through skin rashes on the belly
• Stomach aches that make the dog lick, bite or scratch his belly due to pain often causing rashes
• Intestinal parasites

Additional Symptoms of the Problem

The dog may present additional symptoms that can help you suspect a certain problem. Watch out for symptoms such as:

• Sneezing and coughing
• Watery eyes and nasal discharges
• Visible fleas that can be seen to jump
• Bad odor of the skin
• Pawing of the stomach
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Parasites in the vomit or stool
• Dry, flaky skin
• Skin sores, which may be caused by the frequent scratching and biting of the irritated area
• Secondary skin infections

Diagnosing Skin Rashes on Belly

A skin rash on the dog’s belly can be diagnosed by performing a few tests. If a skin infection is suspected, a skin scraping test will be performed. This will give the vet the answer to whether the infection is bacterial or viral.

Fleas can be easily detected by looking at the dog’s skin into more detail. The vet can detect the parasites or flea bites or feces.

If allergies are suspected, the vet will need to run a blood test or a set of intradermal testing.

If the dog is allergic to food or has a food intolerance, the diagnosis will be a longer process and food trials may be needed for several weeks or months.

Blood tests can be performed to detect an internal problem.

Treatment for Canines with Belly Rashes

The treatment for a belly rash may depend on the diagnosis. However, to eliminate the rash immediately, the vet may prescribe a hydrocortisone cream, which can eliminate the itchiness and discomfort and make the rash less visible.

Antihistamines can be effective in reducing allergic reactions. Allergy shots are recommended as a desensitization cure.

Skin infections can be treated with oral antibiotics or antibiotic creams.