Red skin, scabs, bald patches, hot spots and new lumps all deserve a vet exam, because the same-looking spot can come from mites, fungus, bacteria, hormones or a growth, and treatment only works once the cause is known. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is a veterinary clinic on Old Sardis Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, that examines dogs and cats with skin problems, runs quick in-clinic tests, and builds a plan aimed at the cause.
Itch from pollen or food has its own page on allergy testing and treatment. This page covers everything else on the skin.
Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
How common are skin problems at Petfolk SouthPark?
Skin and growth concerns were the most common reason for a sick visit at Petfolk SouthPark, at 23% of sick visits from October 2025 to September 2026.
About 85% of Petfolk SouthPark's itchy-skin patients were dogs (same window).
More than 1 in 4 SouthPark visits for itching or a skin flare-up (27%) included fast-acting itch relief, Cytopoint or Apoquel, the same day.
Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, itchy-skin complaints rose in the warm months: about 14% of sick visits from June to September, compared with about 11% from December to February.
Why is my pet losing hair in patches?
Patchy hair loss in dogs and cats usually comes from one of four causes, and the Petfolk SouthPark vet tests rather than guesses because they look alike.
Mites. Sarcoptic mange is intensely itchy and spreads between dogs. Demodex mites live on most dogs harmlessly but can overgrow in puppies or pets with a weak immune system.
Ringworm. Not a worm at all, but a fungus that leaves round, scaly patches. It is more common in kittens and puppies.
Bacterial infection. Small pimples and rings of peeling skin, often on the belly.
Hormones. An underactive thyroid in dogs, or other hormone problems, can thin the coat without much itch.
What is a hot spot, and why do they flare in Charlotte summers?
A hot spot is a raw, wet, painful patch of skin that can grow within hours as a dog licks and chews it. Heat and humidity make hot spots more likely, especially in thick-coated breeds and dogs that swim, which fits the summer rise in itchy-skin visits at Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics.
A few habits help:
Dry your dog fully after a bath, a swim or a rainy walk, right down to the skin.
Keep heavy coats brushed out so air reaches the skin.
After hot days, check under the collar, between the toes and in skin folds, where trapped moisture feeds yeast and bacteria.
Should I worry about a lump on my pet?
Have any new lump checked, because you can't tell a harmless lump from a worrying one by feel. Many lumps on dogs and cats turn out to be fatty lumps (lipomas) or cysts. At Petfolk SouthPark, the vet can collect cells with a fine needle, called a fine-needle aspirate, and look at them under a microscope. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, about 1 in 10 lump-or-bump visits (11%) included this kind of cell test, called cytology (October 2025 to September 2026).
Measure any lump you find and note the date. A lump that grows, changes shape, bleeds or feels firm and fixed should be seen soon.
Wow, what a service for our 10 year old Goldendoodle that has developed a couple new lumps just under the skin ... Found out no concerns and just keep an eye them. Stephen R., Google review
Which tests find the cause of a skin problem?
The Petfolk SouthPark vet picks from a short list of tests based on the exam:
Skin scraping: a dull blade gently scrapes the surface to look for mites.
Cytology: tape or a swab lifts cells to check for yeast and bacteria.
Fungal culture or a special lamp: to look for ringworm.
Fine-needle aspirate: for lumps.
Blood work: when hormones or an underlying illness might be involved.
Biopsy: a small piece of skin sent to a pathologist when the answer is still unclear.
Treatment then follows the cause: medicated baths, antibiotics or antifungals, mite treatment, itch relief, or a plan for a lump. Many skin treatments need several weeks, so recheck visits matter. You get an estimate before any test or treatment.
Coming from Plaza Midwood or elsewhere in town? Skip the bath before the visit. A fresh bath can wash away the mites, yeast and scales the vet needs to find.
Can my pet's skin problem spread to my family?
A few pet skin problems can spread to people: ringworm and sarcoptic mange can cause itchy red rings or bumps on human skin. If someone in the home has a new rash, they should see a doctor and mention the pet, and the Petfolk SouthPark vet can test your pet. The CDC has guidance on diseases shared between pets and people, and the Companion Animal Parasite Council explains mites and other parasites by species.
When does a skin problem need care today?
Book a same-day visit at Petfolk SouthPark if a hot spot is spreading, a wound smells or oozes, or your pet won't let you touch an area. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet has sudden face swelling with hives, trouble breathing, or a deep wound that keeps bleeding.
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is at 4914 Old Sardis Rd, Unit C5, Charlotte, NC 28211, a veterinarian in SouthPark that treats skin problems in dogs and cats.
Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, or see all veterinary services in SouthPark.
Skin and coat questions
A short drive east of Phillips Place