Dog has got strange round spots on his lower belly - vets or not?

[anamenotanumber]

My puppy is around 7 months and for a few weeks he has had a spot or two on his lower abdomen on the area where there is less fur. They are slightly raised oval or round areas. A couple of days ago he was licking them quite a lot but now less so so they aren't bothering him. They look dark but I wonder if this is mud stuck to them.

Any ideas what they could be? Some sort of skin parasite? Should I go to the vet or give it another couple of days to see if it improves alone?

[coffeeinbed]

This might be silly, but are you sure it's not his nipples?

[anamenotanumber]

He has those too :) fair question as I am a bit of a beginner with dogs.
These are larger and flatter areas. They didn't used to be there - there are maybe five or six now.

[coffeeinbed]

Has he been in the nettles?

Mind you, nettle stings should go away fairly quickly.
Sorry, that's all I could think off.

But I have embarrassed myself and no doubt also the poor dog at the vets with all sorts of questions.

[TweeAintMee]

Definitely need a trip to the vet. There are a load of nasties that dogs can pick up - has he been fully vaccinated?

[insanityscratching]

Could it be ringworm like this?

[moosemama]

Get him checked over by the vet. Iirc, staph skin infections are a fairly common occurrence on pups' stomachs - in fact they are commonly known as 'puppy pimples' - and if it is he may need some antibiotics to clear it up.

[anamenotanumber]

Yes I think it could be ringworm...ewww. We might catch it...

I have some worm/ flea stuff in the cupboard so will apply that NOW!!!

[anamenotanumber]

Hmm actually I am wondering about nettles after all as they are only on the area of his belly with no fur. This would explain that whereas ringworm seems to spread elsewhere.

[Aked]

Worming treatment won't treat ringworm, as it isn't actually a worm. It is a fungal infection and needs specific treatment.

[anamenotanumber]

Yes I realised after my post when I checked the packaging and read up on ringworm.
I am going to see how it is by the end of today and if it is still looking dodgy will take him to the vets.

[SpicyBear]

Pyoderma is also quite common in young dogs, especially in warm weather.

[anamenotanumber]

Turns out the vet thinks it is dermatitis which has got a little infected so we have antibiotics and need to try and keep an eye out for whatever the allergen or irritant might be, although that won't be easy.

I'm guessing it is something in contact with his skin not food due to the fact it is only on the less furry tummy area - the rest of his body e.g. legs, are fine as protected by his fur.