Puppy Acne

I am getting a pug puppy and I went to visit him at 4 weeks old and noticed that he has white pimples on his face.

The breeder says that they are just from breastfeeding and that it is normal and they will go away but I am not sure that I believe her.

All that I have read says that it is normal at about 6 months of age but he is only 4 weeks. Is this normal? Could it be something else? Does this mean he will have sensitive skin his whole life? Will it be an added expense?


Any help would be great. Thanks!




Hi
Puppy Acne/warts don't usually appear until around 6 months, so I doubt that this is the problem.

There are other possibilities though. One is that it is a kind of staph infection (puppy pyoderma) which is usually seen on the belly, but could affect other areas where they get damp. It's often treated with antibiotics, and usually once it's been treated, keeping that area clean and dry usually prevents a re-occurrence.

It's also possible that this could could be early signs of mange, a skin condition caused by tiny skin mites. This is diagnosed by a vet by taking a skin scraping and looking at it under a microscope. It's treatable with special shampoos/dips.

There could well be other options too. My personal opinion would be that it would be wise to have your vet take a look at this puppy before you commit to buying him, or talk with the vet who is currently taking care of him. You need to know what (if anything) you could be looking at.

I would also recommend getting a health contract on any pup that you buy.

Best of luck.