My young puppy has a swollen sore he licks constantly. Is it serious?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lee! Based on your photo is appears to be either a pyoderma (skin infection) or a hot spot (superficial skin infection). Because it is getting worse quickly, make an appointment tomorrow to get your Vet to look at ti. They will likely prescribe antibiotics, something for the itch, and maybe a topical. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could be just an infection though I am suspicious that there is a growth underneath causing this. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. This is severe and no home remedies are expected to improve this. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

I would recommend bringing Grayson to a veterinarian. It looks very irritated and potentially from him licking at it. It may be something like a histiocytoma which is a benign growth that gets big and ugly but then resolves. This happens in young dogs so I wouldn't be surprised if that is what it is. The only way to tell if that is what Grayson has is an aspirate of the growth. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Those images could either be a bite that is infected, or could be a very enlarged lymph node and a condition called 'puppy strangles' where the lymph nodes swell up. Either way, it looks very serious and requires medical attention. The treatment for these two different conditions is very different and treatment for one could make the other much worse. I recommend you bring your puppy to a veterinarian right away for treatment. Best of luck with your little one, I hope he feels better soon!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the picture! Due to the red fur staining it is evident that Babi is licking the toe. It is also pretty swollen. The first step is to prevent the licking by using an Elizabethan collar (cone) or donut. I do think it would heal faster if you saw a Vet. There is likely a bacterial and or yeast infection of the nail bed. Having oral antibiotics and antifungals and something to stop the desire to lick will speed this process up for you both. I hope this helps and I wish Babi a speedy recovery!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is difficult to make out exactly what this is based on the pictures, but it appears to be an ulcerated sore that has opened up on the paw pad. I would recommend having this looked at by your veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. This sore could be a mass or an infected wound. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the photo (thanks for attaching one!) it mostly looks like irritation. This could be from chewing a toy, her bowls, etc. It does not seem to be a truly pressing matter-and especially so if it does not bother her. However-if it persists or worsens, I would try calling your local vet to see if they can take a look or prescribe you some antibiotic ointment to help clear the area of secondary bacterial infection. I hope this helps and puts you at ease!