Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog's healing wound turned black and crusty. Should I worry?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 80 lbs

Hi I took my dog to the vet and they said he had a folliculitis So I was applying neo sporin and he scratched one day and then he started bleeding again. After a week he didn’t touch it and It was Getting white and healing. Now it turned black. Anything I should worry about? It’s black and crusty

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 4th, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It appears from the pictures that the area is healing over. If this is dry and dark in color, this indicates it is likely healing. This spot will likely flake off once completely healed. If it continues to grow in size or does not resolve, I would have the veterinarian recheck the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please remember to rate this answer as helpful or not. Thank you!

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

What's the crusty stuff on my dog's spay incision? Is it normal?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks that the wound is healing very well, I don't think that there is anything to worry about. The crusty stuff is small amount of dried discharge, normal for healing wounds.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a seeping, crusted wound on her face. How to treat it?

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!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's ear tip is cut, black, and crusty. Does it require a vet visit?

From the photo it looks like an injury to the ear tip. These often bleed and the scab would make it look black and crusty. It should heal fine without treatment other than what your are doing by applying the antibiotic ointment. It’s best not to rub the area since leaving the scab on will protect the injured area as it’s healing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Pua.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My old dog's wart scab won't heal. Should I be worried?

Hello. If things are pretty static it is best just to leave the scab alone. Chances are at some point it will fall off. Most likely another scab will form & the process will repeat itself. The scab is somewhat protective, so I agree with your vet & leave the scab alone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Dog scratched incision scab. When should I worry and see a vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It still looks mostly healed so I think it would be fine to monitor for now. If another scab forms then I would make sure to not her scratch it off. You can try to keep her from it by using dog "shorts" you may find online to try to cover that area. Hopefully, this continues to heal without problems. If it becomes a recurrent issue or it develops a discharge with a foul odor concerning for an infection, have her evaluated by a veterinarian then. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is my dog's dark, crusty paw scab healing normally after vet visit?

Yes, that sounds like normal healing. If they recommended cleaning the area then I would do that to keep it draining. Use the medication as directed and with the cone to prevent licking I expect this to heal in a week to ten days. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rupert.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog's healed hot spot still bruised and sensitive?

Any type of irritation/inflammation can cause the skin to be darker in color when it heals. You can see that in the second picture. It is not abnormal for the darker color in the skin to last for a while, but it almost appears that the skin in the last picture is darker than the second (which might just be an artifical aspect of the picture). The skin appears to have healed well, so if the dark area is just taking a while to resolve, it likely isn't anything worry about. If it appears to be enlarging or getting darker however, I would have your vet examine Addison. I hope that helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share