TL;DR: Red, raw skin in a dog's armpits is typically caused by allergies, friction, or infection and should be evaluated by a veterinarian within 24–48 hours to avoid secondary complications.
What causes the raw, red skin in my dog's armpits?
- Friction and trapped moisture in skin fold areas
- Yeast and bacterial infections
- Atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies)
- Contact irritation from shampoos or floor cleaners
- Skin fold dermatitis
- Parasites such as fleas or mites
Is my dog's raw skin an emergency and how quickly should they be seen?
- Urgency Level: Medium. While not typically a life-threatening crisis, it is extremely uncomfortable and painful.
- Timeline: Schedule a veterinary appointment within 24 to 48 hours to prevent severe secondary infections or hot spots.
- Seek immediate advice if: Your dog is licking excessively, the skin is bleeding, or you notice a foul odor.
How does sending a triage photo help my veterinarian?
- Allows the medical team to assess the severity of the skin lesion remotely
- Helps identify specific patterns, such as hair loss or pustules
- Assists in determining how quickly your dog needs to be squeezed into the schedule
- Provides a visual record of the irritation before it potentially changes during transport
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Red skin in the armpits (axillary region) of dogs can be caused by inflammation due to conformational abnormalities, obesity, endocrinopathies (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, sex hormone abnormalities), pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact dermatitis, primary disorders of keratinization, and skin infections (e.g., staphylococcal pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis). Erythema around lesions can indicate secondary bacterial and/or yeast pyoderma. Diagnosis involves a thorough history and physical examination to identify the underlying cause, skin scrapings to rule out demodicosis, and impression smears to confirm suspected bacterial or Malassezia infections.
Chapter: Dermatology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 970)