My Shih Tzu has a skin problem. How do I treat a bacterial infection?

It sounds like this is likely to be a cyst of some kind, but could also be an abscess, localized skin infection or some other type of skin growth - pus from an abscess would usually have an odor to it, but not always. You can clean the area thoroughly with warm water and soap, and it's fine to use topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin as well. But in order to find out for sure what it is and get it treated more effectively, you will need to take your dog to a vet for an exam. He/she can take a sample of the white substance for analysis to help determine what it is, and will advise you based on the results whether it needs to be treated with oral antibiotics or other medication, or if it needs to be surgically removed.

I'm sorry to hear that Mungia is dealing with skin problems. A lot of skin infections in dogs can be secondary to scratching themselves from allergies. The can react to something in their environment such as weeds, grasses, pollen, mold or even something in their diet. I'm glad that bathing her seems to help. It is a great maintenance option for her so she doesn't need to be on medications. If the problem is not resolving, you will need to discuss longterm management strategies with her veterinarian. You will also want to rule out other issues such as mites, fleas or ringworm. I hope this information helps!

It looks like Molly has some type is infection. When she gets to the vet, they will likely put her on antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatories. In the meantime you should cut the hair short around the lesion, taking care not to cut her skin by accident. Wash the area with a plain antibacterial soap and be careful not to get water in her ear while you're rinsing. Likely it is bacterial or fungal in nature and these generally respond well to treatment. Hope Molly is doing better soon!

The photos are pretty blurry/pixelated so it's difficult to tell. Maximus Oakley could have a mild skin infection, or be developing allergies. I recommend having your vet take a look to determine what's going on. If he's developing an infection your vet can determine if he's likely to improve with something topical (such as a medicated shampoo) or needs a course of oral medication. If they suspect he's developing allergies, they can discuss the various intervention options, such as a monthly injection (Cytopoint) or daily pill (Apoquel).

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Buddy. He needs to see a veterinarian. It is possible that he has a bacterial skin infection, but there are other possibilities as well. He will likely need skin tests to look for ringworm and mites. Based on these results, medications can be prescribed to help him feel better. I hope this information helps!

I can see the redness and crusting in Rocky's underarm areas. You are correct in saying that this may be due to an infection. Both yeast and bacteria can cause these signs, as well as food sensitivities, which make dogs itchy. The constant scratching breaks the skin barrier and can allow for infections to occur. I recommend having him seen by a vet who can prescribe oral antibiotics/medicated shampoos as well as a special diet if needed. In the meantime, there are skin wipes for dogs available in pet stores that you can use to keep the area clean.

I am so sorry to hear that Zumi is having trouble with her skin. It looks like from the pictures a case of moist dermatitis or "hot spot". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. The keys to a successful healing process are; Treating underlying cause of itching- for example fleas A clipped area around the sore Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth) Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing An e-collar to prevent Zumi from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size. If you feel like Zumi is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet, or call and discuss the possibility for a prescription. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process. I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Zumi. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.