Should my dog continue antibiotics for a lingering skin infection?

This is an hot spot, apparently quite severe and deep. It will take a while to recover, possibly two full weeks to be completely resolved. The treatment is essential and seems appropriately dispensed. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any 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.

Your dog likely has underlying allergies and typically 2 weeks of antibiotics is not long enough to treat a skin infection. Most require 4-6 weeks. The problem is that if you don't resolve the cause of infection, it will always come back. I would consider trialing a hypoallergenic diet. Make sure he is on flea medication every month and consider allergy testing. Licking creates moisture and damages the skin. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to grow, So as long as he is licking, his skin won't heal.

It does look like a skin infection but the origin (bacterial, fungal, yeast) I don't know just by looking at it. If it is bacterial, sometimes oral antibiotics are needed if topical therapy is not working. I don't know what cream you are using as I am not aware of a chlorhexidine cream, or how long you have been using it, so it's hard for me to comment much more on what you are already doing. I personally like these chlorhexidine wipes because they also contain an anti-fungal/anti-yeast component (climabazole) and a component to help repair the skin (phytosphingosine) so it is gentle. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-5393-douxo-chlorhexidine-3-ps-pads-for-dogs-and-cats-30.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo+Auto ) If she is licking this area, it will never get better. So, if she is licking, you will need to get an E-collar (cone) for her to wear until this is healed. So, if you want to try the medicated pads, I would do that. If there is still not resolution after a few weeks then she should go back to the vet. Skin maladies typically take quite a long time to respond completely to treatment so as long as it's not bothering her too much just continue on for a few more weeks. Treat the affected areas for at least a few days past all resolution of the lesions. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

If your vet prescribed 28 pills after a surgery then you should give all the pills until gone unless otherwise directed by your vet. If the dog is scratching and licking at the incision then you need to put a cone collar on him and a socks on his back feet to prevent scratching. The cone needs to be long enough to go past the end of his nose or he will still be able to reach the incision. ( https://www.amazon.com/Mogoko-Medical-Recovery-Elizabethan-Protective/dp/B07GXLKYZP/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=B07GXLKYZP&qid=1564236131&s=gateway&sr=8-1 ) ( https://www.amazon.com/EXPAWLORER-Anti-Slip-Traction-Control-Protection/dp/B07RXJQTCD/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=B07RXJQTCD&qid=1564236218&s=gateway&sr=8-1 ) Hope this helps. If you have more questions please feel free to post again.

Hello. It appears that Bruno has a pretty significant & chronic inflammatory reaction going on in his skin. I would suspect that this may require oral medications rather than topical ointments or creams, but knowing how long this might take to clear up really depends on the underlying cause. If he has a bacterial infection, treatment can last 6-8 weeks, a fungal infection, 2-4 months, & if this is due to an allergic reaction, unless you pursue a desensitization protocol, treatment is lifelong. It is best to have your veterinarian examine Bruno to determine the best course of action. If your vet is unable to help, ask for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. Hopefully with time, Bruno will go great. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This presentation could be due to a localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking. 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.

Thanks for the question. If Admiral can wear a cone or e-collar, or a t-shirt to keep from licking the area it might have a chance to heal. As long as he keeps licking it, the healing will be slow. If it is not getting better in the next couple of days, he may need to go back in to see the vet for antibiotics. I hope it resolves quickly.