Shit Tzu pink pigmentation under his nose

by Mary
(Linwood, PA)

Recently, I noticed Max had a rash down below and he keeps licking himself. I thought it was from him getting his hair cut so close, but now I beg the differ. I just noticed under his nose area (above his lip) is a pinkish color now.

I don't know if this is an infection and I plan to get him an appointment before the week is out. I am still curious of what this could be. Do you have any advice? I thank you in advance for your expertise.

Sincerely,
Mary




Hi Mary
There can be several different reasons for a dog to develop a rash, and I can't tell you which one applies to Max, but maybe this will help a little.

It sounds to me as though he may be suffering from canine allergies of some sort.

Dogs can be allergic to fleas, food ingredients, inhaled substances (such as pollen, dust etc.) or things they come in contact with (eg laundry detergent on their bedding/clothes, carpets, grass and so on). Most allergies, regardless of the trigger, result in skin symptoms such as rashes, hot-spots, hair loss and so on.

If Max is flea-free, perhaps it's related to his food. Check out my Dog Food Allergies page for info. and advice on this.

It's also possible that he's got some sort of skin infection. Puppy pyoderma is a fairly common skin condition seen in puppies under about 16 weeks old. The rash is often seen on the belly, and inside the legs. It's a staph infection and is often treated with antibiotics.

The other possibility is mange, which is a skin condition caused by tiny mites. Little bumps usually appear on the muzzle or front legs, and may be accompanied by hair loss. This can be diagnosed and treated by your vet.

I would definitely recommend getting him to a veterinarian so that the correct diagnosis can be made and any necessary treatment started.

Best of luck, hope little Max is feeling better soon.