sores around mouth/chin

White Reggie · #1 12th October 2006, 06:21 AM

Hi All.
I have a 14 Month year old White Boxer (With one Brindle Ear) called Reggie.
Very Active and, for want of a better word, 'Bouncy'. (Im sure you all know what i mean).
I started reading the forums to try and find if there is something I am doing wrong as he is very sore all the time around his mouth, Ive tried switching foods, buying only soft toys, cleaning his face daily. Im still struggling with this one, he has small sore patches/bumps and sometimes they even bleed. Any ideas? because I dont like to think he is in pain.
Ive taken him to the vet who said it looks fine, its just the way he is, and maybe he will grow out of it, but is there anything in the meantime I can use to help?

thanks

**Jan** · #2 12th October 2006, 06:34 AM

Do the sores look like pimples? Maybe if you posted a picture, we could see what it looks like.

dharmadoodle · #3 12th October 2006, 06:44 AM

It sounds like acne to me. When Rogue had it we found that it did bleed a lot, especially if she'd been on a walk (scraping her chin along the ground).

You have to keep the face clean everyday. It takes a while to go, & can flare up again another time too.

I used to wipe Rogue's spots with green tea - Just make a cup & let it cool.

Make sure you don't use plastic food/water bowls either.

White Reggie · #4 12th October 2006, 06:51 AM

thanx both for your replys
I cant post a pic now as im in work, but ill try when I get home.
I use stainless steal bowls, but he is always sticking his face in places it doesnt belong so thats probably not helped.
I never thought of green tea so I will give this a try.
How long does it usually take to die-down?

thanks

**Jan** · #5 12th October 2006, 07:25 AM

If it is pimples, it is an adolescent thing. They will go away when he matures, which will be around 3 years of age. All you can really do is keep his face clean. I would clean it everytime he eats. If the green tea doesn't work, you could try some anti-bacterial soap.

Good luck!

RobynB · #6 12th October 2006, 08:10 AM

My heidi gets it. I clean her face with stridex pads for sensitive skin. once i removed chicken from her diet it cleared up. I feed lamb now.

jenn77 · #7 14th October 2006, 05:49 PM

My vet said acne is common with boxers and other dogs with short hair and jowly muzzles. She also suggested ingrown hairs. My guy had one that got so bad that it turned into a growth and had to be surgically removed. But hopefully all you are observing is puppy acne!

trc4941 · #8 16th October 2006, 09:16 AM

Like others have said, it is more than likely canine acne. Rocky, who is 3-1/2 now had it up til about a year ago. The vet gave us some anitbiotics for the ones he scratched open. They do grow out of it. Until then, don't use plastic feeding or water dishes, because apparently bacteria is easily trapped in them. I switched to stainless steel bowls (ceramic would work too) and wiped his face when he was done eating. Changing his dishes and wiping his face really helped. He loves having his faces washed. It's better that I do it with a wash cloth than him running is sloppy face along my couch and bed, which he loves to do after he eats!!