My dog's armpit is raw from harness. Can I use antibiotic ointment?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think that this looks severe enough that it warrants a veterinary evaluation to shave and clean the area appropriately and also start him on antibiotics to treat a possible infection. They can assess how it looks on a close examination and treat it accordingly. Good luck and have a great day!

I recommend cleaning the wound with antibacterial soap, rinsing it well and then applying a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. This looks fairly superficial so with keeping it cleaned and treated daily this should heal fine. If you keep Ginny outside please use a dog flea and insect repellent on her to prevent flies and knots from getting into the wound. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ginny.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the photos you provided, this could be a bacterial and / or fungal infection. This area commonly stays moist and can develop a skin infection because of this. I would recommend using Malacetic Conditioning Spray (can be found online) and apply to the area twice daily until resolved. I would also recommend using a steroid spray (Petco has a spray called Well & Good Hydrocortisone spray) and apply twice daily as well to help relieve inflammation. If this does not resolve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

From the excellent picture you have provided it looks like Winstyn may have moist dermatitis, or a "hot spot". Unfortunately, hot spots often require a trip to the vet for clipping of the area, cleaning, and prescription of a healing spray / ointment with antibiotics and a steroid. All of these interventions will help the area heal quickly, and minimise the level of discomfort that Winstyn has to experience. Due to the location of the sore it will particularly difficult to treat at home. In the meantime you can help Winstyn by; Placing a an e-collar to prevent him biting or attracting at the sore and making it worse Attempt to air out the area as much as possible to help it dry out. This is key to healing. Do not attempt any medications at home as they can cause pain and in some cases delay healing. I hope this is a helpful answer and that Winstyn feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hello. It sounds like you are doing a great job with Rupert. Just keep the area clean & treated & it should heal just fine. If you need to put the harness back on, make sure you do not leave it on for extended periods. If you can, I would try to pad the area that caused the skin irritation. You might need to get a little inventive, but using a piece of sheepskin ( available at any fabric shop ) or some moleskin ( find in a pharmacy ) should decrease friction & rubbing on the area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the picture you provided it does look as though there is quite a bit of redness / irritation. I would recommend using Sentry wound ointment, which you can find at PetCo or online. You can apply this twice daily to the area. If there is no improvement after 48-72 hours, I would recommend having this examined by your veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.