My dog growled when I touched a hard scab on her neck. Is it serious?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It could be a scab that fell off, a fungal infection, a bacterial infection, or a mite. It looks quiet right now. I would leave it alone and continue to monitor it. If it’s starting to get larger or Luna won’t leave it alone, I would have a vet take a closer look. Kisses to Luna!

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!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I’m sorry to hear Luna is having skin issues. A focal area like you are seeing can be due to a variety of causes, including an infection, a wound, a ruptured cyst or wart, a parasite or another underlying issue. If there is no heat, swelling or discharge I would monitor it this evening to ensure that she isn’t licking/chewing the area and then touch base with her regular veterinarian in the morning. It may require stitches, antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory to heal, all of which can most likely be addressed before the holiday. If she starts chewing at the area, I would either put an Elizabethan collar on her to prevent her from reaching it or having it addressed this evening. Good luck!

It is never wrong to have something checked out to be on the safe side. That said, if the scab is superficial and there is now swelling around it then I think it would be ok to monitor for 24 hours or so for any changes. If it gets larger, swollen, or tender to the touch then she should be seen as soon as possible. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend taking Sable to the vet to look at the growth closer and find out what it is. The vet can stick a needle in it and look at the cells under a microscope to determine if it’s cancerous or not. Because the tissue/skin is fragile it likely won’t stop bleeding and may need to be surgically removed. I would leave it alone until the vet looks at it so you don’t disrupt the blood clot that forms. Good luck and kisses to Sable!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you tried attaching a picture, it unfortunately did not. Please consider posting again with the pictures so that we can do our best to help you with this. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor girl! This actually look more like a scab from some mild trauma. While I do not see evidence of a bite in that picture, that is still possible and an examination would be needed to determine that for sure. Because it is small and mild, I think it would be ok to treat at home. You may apply a thin film of triple antibiotic ointment on the affected area twice daily for 5 days. If this does not improve or resolves, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. There is a very good chance that this will improve quickly. However, if you notice any signs of worsening, like severe swelling, have her evaluated. Good luck and have a great day!