What's this huge, thick scab on my dog's shoulder and why is it there?

If it really is just a scab, then I would leave it alone, since pulling it off will hurt and may cause bleeding. Scabs are there to protect the new tissue that is growing underneath. Scabs can often be confused by small moles, ticks, small papillomas or warts, or even a tumor. When Sven is calm and sitting near you, look and see if it looks like a scab (usually flat) or something else. If it is something else, then you should have it checked out by a vet.

This looks like a scab. He could have gotten this after a little bug bite, a local skin infection, a minor injury from being in the yard, or something else. Since it is so small, I would not be too concerned right now. If it isn't healing, you see discharge, you find more spots, or this spot gets larger, I would have your vet take a look at it to see if he needs any oral meds or other treatment to help it heal. I hope this helps !

The skin does look a bit irritated. If the scabs aren't healing, more appear, the area is very itchy or bothersome to Teddy, or it changes more in appearance, a vet visit is best to rule out issues such as infections, growths, allergies, etc. Keeping it clean and dry and keeping Teddy from pawing/licking at it can also help reduce irritation as it heals.

Anytime there is an injury to the skin, a scab should form and should stay in place until the skin underneath is completely healed. If the area of Tula's scab was deep, it can take a while for the skin underneath to completely heal enough for the scab to fall off. If the area around the scab is red or oozing or the scabbed area is enlarging, then I would recommend having Tula examined by your veterinarian. Otherwise, it may just take a little longer to heal on its own. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This lump requires ideally an immediate check up to determine its underlying nature. Given the treatment failure it is unlikely to be caused by an infection, and differentials would include skin cysts and benign or more malignant type of tumors. Your vet will probably take some samples from it to analyse the type of cells in it.

This could be a skin infection caused by a fungus or bacteria or and old injury or bite and in worst case scenario it could be a tumor. Please have this examined by your veterinarian. If he suspects a tumor, he will likely want to remove it and send it in to determine whether it is malignant and your dog needs further treatment. If it is an infection your dog may need an antifungal or antibiotic ointment. It may just be a scab from an old wound and might need no treatment. Your vet will be able to determine that with a hands-on exam.

Poor Mushu! Given that a scab has formed over this sore, it is healing and I would keep monitor it for now. Once the skin underneath is fully healed, the scab will fall off. I'd leave the scab alone and not rub at it. If you remove the scab, you will be disturbing the healing process and it will take longer to heal. Should the scab still be there in a few weeks, then I would be concerned and have Mushu seen by a vet.