My dog's belly scratch isn't healing, but he seems fine. What now?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It still looks mostly healed so I think it would be fine to monitor for now. If another scab forms then I would make sure to not her scratch it off. You can try to keep her from it by using dog "shorts" you may find online to try to cover that area. Hopefully, this continues to heal without problems. If it becomes a recurrent issue or it develops a discharge with a foul odor concerning for an infection, have her evaluated by a veterinarian then. Good luck!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Dexter. If the wound is not healing, I recommend that he sees his veterinarian early next week if he is otherwise acting normal. I cannot tell from the picture if there is a scab across the wound versus material that can be expressed out of the opening. If you can express material out, he could have a ruptured cyst. These are common small growths on or within the skin of a dog. They can rupture open though and become infected. Based on his exam, the veterinarian will decide if he needs any medication. In the meantime, do not let him lick or scratch the area. I hope this information helps!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like skin inflammation and potentially deep skin infection. Most likely Pixie will need a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents to fully recover. Please, make sure she is not licking or scratching the area as by doing that she will likely make things worse.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What else to do for it depends on what it looks like on physical examination which is hard for me to tell without an evaluation. If it looks superficial and you cleaned it then it is likely to heal. However, it may not if it is deep or it is infected. If no improvement or worsening in the next few days, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

I would recommend getting a larger ecollar and let your veterinarian know that this has occurred. He probably is trying to get to the sutures and this is the only area he can reach. This will get worse if he keeps licking. Your vet may just extend his antibiotics or just tell you to keep it clean. His incision looks great! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Generally, minor abrasions and wounds will heal on their own (just like humans). You may gently wash the lesion (rinse well) and inspect it to make sure it is not deep. If it is deep, if it gets worse or if it appears to bother Milo, he should be examined by the veterinarian. It should heal within two weeks. If it does not, he also needs to be examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps.

Once the fleas have been treated, the area should heal by itself provided Bo does not continue to scratch or lick it. Keep the lesion clean and dry to prevent infection. If it has has not healed in five to seven days, or if you notice the lesion getting larger or oozing pus, you should have Bo checked out by a veterinarian for treatment.