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My dog has a crusty, pus-filled patch and red spots. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Silky Terrier | Male | unneutered | 10 lbs

my dog had a raw patch on his right shoulder area, now the patch has become very crusty and there is also some puss and he also has little red spots on his belly.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 1st, 2022

It looks like your dog has a skin infection so he should be examined and treated by a vet. He, likely, needs an oral antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory that your vet can prescribe. If the meantime, you can bathe him with a medicated shampoo, like Douxo Chlorhexidine. You could also spray the lesion with Vetericyn wound and skin care spray.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 27th, 2017
It could be a bacterial skin infection. You could continue to apply the antibiotic ointment but if it does not resolve than he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat the problem. He may need an oral antibiotic and corticosteroid to help treat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 9th, 2018
It looks like he has a hot spot. You could continue to clean the area with something like DOUXO® Chlorhexidine Pads and see if it completely resolves. Otherwise, he will need to be examined by a vet for treatment. He may need an antibiotic and corticosteroid to treat the problem.
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 8th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This could certainly be a skin mite infection but without examining it or seeing a picture, it is difficult to say for sure what it could be. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend that a skin scrape be performed on the lesion to rule out skin parasites. It may be a bacterial / fungal skin infection as well. If you are unable to get to a vet right away, I would recommend using a product called Malacetic conditioning spray and apply 2-3 times per day to the lesion until resolved. You can find this spray online quite easily. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog has puss-filled, crusty skin spots. Should I see a vet?

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Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the pictures you provided, I suspect this may be a bacterial skin infection. This may have been a pustule that has ruptured. I would recommend using the below products, which can all be found online quite easily. If these do not help, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Lalo if possible so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area 2-3 times per day until resolved 3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil 4. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent

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