Dog has dried blood on chin after biopsy. Should I clean it now?

Hi there. From what I can see in the photos, this doesn't look too bad at all - but if it's been bleeding a bit, it's always a good idea to have it checked by your vet to make sure everything is okay. Until then, you can have Cezare wear a baby onesie or something similar to help protect it, especially if he has been scratching at it or attempting to lick it. it's also fine if you want to clean it with some Betadine solution, or apply a small amount of topical Neosporin to the area. Other than that, I would just leave it alone until your veterinarian can take a look.

You can continue disinfection at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily for the next 4 days. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. It is best not bandage as the healing will be much quicker. If the lesion do not resolve in 4 days time a check up will be needed as antibiotics may be required. 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.

If the wound is deep, ideally, your dog should be physically examined by a veterinarian. Sutures (stitches) may be needed to close the cut. If it is superficial, you may be able to manage it at home. I suggest carefully trimming (use clippers, not scissors) the hair away and cleaning the area gently with a diluted Betadine, chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or similar [antibacterial solution](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-wound-and-skin-care-for-dogs). Dry thoroughly afterwards. A dab of a triple antibiotic ointment can be applied to a minor wound. Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on your dog to prevent licking. If the wound shows no signs of healing after a few days, consider an exam with your veterinarian. Monitor for lethargy,[ fever](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-signs-your-pet-has-a-fever), [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/), [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/diarrhea-1/) or loss of appetite. Check the wound daily for redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. These are all symptoms that warrant a visit to the veterinary clinic. In the future, it is always best and safest to have an [experienced groomer](https://www.petcoach.co/article/heres-why-you-need-a-professional-groomer) or your veterinarian remove any burs or matting from your dog.

This presentation could be due to a trauma (bite wound) and/ or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be continued at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths (twice daily). I would recommend to shave fur around the wound (clippers are best as if you do it with scissors you may injury him) to be able to clean the area best as possible. After cleaning you can dry it up and apply any cream containing zinc oxide (like sudocream). Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. 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.

There are several types of lumps we can see in young dogs. Certainly a histiocytoma is possible but other growths or even infection in a skin gland or hair follicle could also look similar and bleed. I recommend cleaning the lump with a gentle antiseptic cleaner and if it is still bleeding or getting larger in the next 24 hours, have your veterinarian evaluate it. Howl may need a minor type of test called a fine needle aspirate to help determine what type of cells are involved.

We normally recommend waiting 2 weeks after surgery before bathing/getting the incision wet. If you are just cleaning the area next to the incision with a cloth this would be ok, but I wouldn't clean the actual incision itself for two more days to play it safe.

Hi there! Yes, you can certainly use a warm washcloth or cotton ball to gently clean the incisions as often as needed if there is any oozing or drainage. They should heal up within the next 10-14 days :)