My dog has a graze on his chin. When should I take him to the vet?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Superficial wounds around the face are usually treated with topical antibiotics (creams or ointments) or antibiotics tablets. Larger wounds need to be stitched up, but if the would you found is not fresh, most likely your vet would not want to stitch it up. Please, clean the would twice a day with 4% chlorhexidine solution (you can buy it at pharmacies) for a few days and it will hopefully heal up. However, if it starts to bother Aimee or becomes painful you will have to take her to your nearest vets possibly to get a course of antibiotics.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a fairly superficial wound at least based on this picture. However, it would still be a good idea to have him evaluated by a veterinarian to look at it more closely in case it is deeper than what it looks like. Also, these can be painful and can get infected so your veterinarian could potentially start antibiotics and pain control medications. If superficial, these wounds tend to respond well to therapy and heal relatively quickly. Good luck and have a good night!

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Without seeing a picture of the cut it is hard to tell you what exactly you should do. If the cut is shallow and is less than 1 cm in size you could try to clean the area with a diluted chlorexidine or diluted iodine solution rinse and then apply triple antibiotic ointment. Use an e-collar to prevent licking. However, if the cut is deep or larger I recommend taking Rambo to a veterinarian as he may need antibiotics or sutures. Also, if you are concerned it is infected it would be a good idea to take Rambo to the vet regardless of if it is a small or large cut. Even smaller lacerations can develop severe infection so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From you picture it appears that this may be infected which may require veterinary treatment. Until then, an E-collar may be helpful to keep her from scratching. Many vet clinics, pet stores and feed stores have these for sale. Keep her chin clean and dry, and be sure to wash food and water bowls daily. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are best as plastic may hold bacteria that can worsen infections on the chin or muzzle. Do not use alcohol or peroxide on the lesion, a mild antiseptic such as chlorhexidine can be used to help clean it.

Hello. This looks like a bacterial infection that she picked up. If it is not bothering her much, then I would just pick up some Hibiclens at the pharmacy & gently clean the area a couple of time a day. If it still pretty irritated on Monday, give your vet a call as she may require antibiotics to help it heal. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, poor Klien! It looks like the scrape is superficial. I would clean it once with soap and water, the monitor it for any bleeding or other discharge. It should be able to scab over and heal on its own otherwise. If it has not healed in 5-7 days you should have your veterinarian evaluate it. You may use a small amount of neosporin if you find it necessary, but be sure it does not come in contact with his eye. Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A small skin abrasion or hot spot like you are describing may require topical antibiotics to heal. If it does not resolve or worsens, I would recommend she be evaluated by her regular veterinarian. In the meantime, I would keep it clean and if you have grooming clippers try to carefully shave the fur in that area to allow it to heal (do not use scissors!). Good luck!