Looks like large pimples on her face??

novasmama · #1 9th March 2009, 08:21 AM

Hi all:

I am wondering if anyone would have any idea why my 2 year old female fawn boxer would have what looks like large pimples on her face.

They appear to be fluid filled and itchy, she scratches and then they bleed. They are around her nose, on her jowles and under her chin. They don't appear any where else on her body. I'm really curious, because this seems to have just started happening with her about 1 month ago and they don't seem to go away entirely, she'll get more before the others have healed. Her eyes and ears get a little red with this as well. I was thinking maybe an allergy, but we haven't change her diet.

Her name is Nova, and we would really appreciate any feedback from anyone else with this problem. I know boxers are prone to skin problems, so I'm wondering if anyone has seen this before.

Thanks so much for your input

Novasmama

LILYLARUE · #2 9th March 2009, 11:18 AM

Do a search for pimples and you will get tons of threads on here talking about the same thing.

There are also a plethera of diagnosis and suggestions on relieving them.

How old is your boxer? Do you use metal or ceramic bowls and clean them after every meal? Do you clean their faces after each meal? Sometimes these are caused by something as simple as blocked pores, mostly from kibble feedings and bacteria in the bowls.

Sometimes its skin allergy. Or a mite of sorts. Or just the typical boxer acne that subsides after a few months with age and hormone changes.

novasmama · #3 9th March 2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LILYLARUE

Do a search for pimples and you will get tons of threads on here talking about the same thing.

There are also a plethera of diagnosis and suggestions on relieving them.

How old is your boxer? Do you use metal or ceramic bowls and clean them after every meal? Do you clean their faces after each meal? Sometimes these are caused by something as simple as blocked pores, mostly from kibble feedings and bacteria in the bowls.

Sometimes its skin allergy. Or a mite of sorts. Or just the typical boxer acne that subsides after a few months with age and hormone changes.

Thank you. I will do a search to find out more. Nova is 2 years old and is fixed, I don't use metal or ceramic dishes, she has a plastic food dish. I never really thought to clean her face after her meals, but will try this. I was wondering about the mites or possibly acne. It does look like acne. Anyway, I will do some more research and see if there is anything I can do at home, before taking her to the vet.

Thanks again.

BxrMommieNAZ · #4 9th March 2009, 01:17 PM

Stainless steel bowls are best as they do not accumulate bacteria like plastic ones do. I would swap your plastics for stainless steel and either wash or throw them in the dishwasher 1-2 times a day, and wash the muzzle area with a gentle soap and warm wash cloth 1-2 times daily. You can also use Neosporin on the pimples themselves which helped my boy greatly. I also wash things like Kongs, bones, etc a few times a week to keep them clean as well.

Good luck!

novasmama · #5 9th March 2009, 02:08 PM

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try them right away. I would like to try to avoid the vet until its absolutely necessary, as to date she has cost us over $3,500.00 in vet bills. Don't get me wrong, she is worth it, but I'd like to try to keep the more minor aliments dealt with at home, because other than the spots on her face she is totally healthy.

Thanks again, very helpful!

Lunsee · #6 4th April 2009, 03:03 PM

I have had this problem with my fawn female. We took her to the vet and she gave us antibiotics. They went away for a couple months and they came back. We went back and the vet put her back on antibiotics for a longer period and vet dog food too. That helped a lot. We took her off the vet dog food and wash her bowls everyday. She has not had them in a while, we also put her on a no grain dog food, I personally think its an allergy. I still have the problem of her chewing on her paws.....Carl

boxermomATL · #7 4th April 2009, 03:07 PM

My boxer also had acne and it was because we were using plastic food dishes. I agree with the above comment to switch to stainless and wash it after each meal. Neosporin works well to get rid of the ones your dog has now.