My dog has a growing scab on her head. What is it and is it serious?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like a small focus of infection. It could have happened just due to some mild trauma. It does not look inflamed or ulcerated indicating that it is mild enough that it might resolve on its own. If it does not resolve or she continues to be bothered by you touching it indicating discomfort, have your veterinarian evaluated her to ensure that it is not something more serious. Good luck and have a good day!

If this just appears to be a crusted area and is not raised, it is possible this was an insect bite that got irritated or a small scratch/wound. If the lesion is raised (I can't really tell from the appearance) then we sometimes get warty skin growths that can get traumatized and bleed/crust over. I would wash the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at most drug stores) and apply a topical antibiotic like Polysporin or Neosporin a few times day. If she is scratching/rubbing at the area she may need an e-collar for a few days to stop self-trauma. If the lesions isn't improving after several days of this or it starts to get larger/other spots appear then these would be reasons to seek veterinary care.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know without an examination. However, this is possibly due to a severe infection or even a growth is possible. I would highly recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture, it is difficult to see where this lesion is at on the body. It appears to be a callus or a scab. I would keep an eye on this area for the next 7 days and if it changes (gets bigger, becomes swollen, is painful, discharge is evident) then I would recommend having a veterinarian examine this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 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.

Thanks for sending in the pictures of Oliver. It is a little difficult for me to make out the pictures, but it appears like he has a small skin growth on his head that has scabbed over. I would gently clean the scab and dried blood away with a warm wash cloth. If there is a flesh colored growth it may be a wart like mass. They are common in many dogs as they age. If he has been scratching at his head, then it could be self trauma secondary to his allergies. If it bothers him or does not resolve, then have your veterinarian evaluate him.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be an inflammatory or infectious lesion. It does warrant further evaluation. It may require a biopsy of the lesion or at least cytology to know what this represents. This is something that can be completed by your veterinarian. I recommend that you have Juju evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!

It looks like she has a skin infection. You could clean it with a wound wash and see if that helps. Otherwise, have your vet examine her to determine the cause and treat. She might need an antibiotic and corticosteroid to help treat.